Wild Discoveries

All events are free and happen in communities across the territory. If registration is required (for events with a limited capacity) a link is provide in the event description.  

Audiences of all ages are welcome but these events are not designed for children. For events specifically for young people, check out our Knee High Nature and Free-Range Kids programs.

Swimming salmon

Wednesday, August 12 from 7 to 8:30 pm

This walk begins at the Whitehorse Fish Ladder where Chinook Salmon must navigate around the Whitehorse Dam after swimming almost 3,000 km upriver on route to their spawning areas. Join fisheries biologist Elizabeth MacDonald to learn about salmon ecology, habitat and how the dam has changed their journey. Elizabeth is with the Yukon First Nation Salmon Stewardship Alliance, supported by the Council of Yukon First Nations.  

This event involves walking up to 3 km on the paved Millennium trail. Polarized sunglasses are recommended to better see salmon in the water. 

Space is limited. Register for this event. 

Neighbourhood nature: Wolf Creek subdivision

Tuesday, August 18 from 7 to 8:30 pm

This week on our neighbourhood nature walk, we’ll stroll along a lush creek and climb a small ridge offering a picturesque view over a wetland. We’ll meander along a ridge and climb a couple of short, steep hills before returning in the forest. 

This event involves walking up to 4 kilometres on undulating single-track and ATV trails with two short but steep hills.  

Location: Meet at the trail entrance on Harbottle Road, roughly halfway between Boss Road and Langholz Road, in the Wolf Creek subdivision (on the southwest side of the highway). 

See a map of the meeting location.  

Mushroom power up #1

Thursday, August 20 from 7 to 8:30 pm

Join local mushroom enthusiast Sam Skinner for a primer on fungi and a short walk to see how many we can identify. You’ll learn about the importance of fungi in our ecosystems and why a mushroom is like the tip of an iceberg in the ocean.

This event involves walking 1 kilometre over uneven terrain with one steep, short hill.    

Registration is required for this popular event. (Registration opens one week before at 12 pm). Cancel your registration if you can’t make it so someone else can join.

Location: Whitehorse. Exact meeting location provided to registrants. 

Bye bye birds

Saturday, August 22 from 7 to 8 pm

The birds are migrating south again and the Society of Yukon Bird Observatories are monitoring them as they travel along Teslin Lake. Learn the history and methodology of bird banding at this relaxing campfire talk.

This event involves sitting around a campfire in the evening. Bring a camp chair and warm blanket to sit back and hear about more than 20 years of research.

Location: Teslin Lake Campground (kilometre 1258 of Alaska Highway) picnic shelter. Access/parking is between sites 19 and 20. 

See a map of exact meeting location. 

Bird banding demonstration

Sunday, August 23 drop-in between 6:30 to 9 am (You read that right; this event is early!)

The early bird gets the worm, and the early biologists get the birds. Set your alarm and join us at the Teslin Lake bird observatory to watch the banders in action. They’ll have mist nest set up to carefully catch birds before weighing, measuring, banding and releasing them. We’ll have coffee on, so stop by to get a close-up look at some birds.

Location: Follow the walking trail next to site 19 of the Teslin Lake campground, kilometre 1258 Alaska Highway. 

See a map of exact event location. 

Mushroom power up #2

Thursday, August 27 from 7 to 8:30 pm

This event is so popular we offer it twice! Local mushroom enthusiast Sam Skinner will once again share a primer on fungi and take us on a short walk to see how many we can identify. You’ll learn about the importance of fungi in our ecosystems and why a mushroom is like the tip of an iceberg in the ocean.

Note this is not a mushroom picking event. It involves walking 1 kilometre over uneven terrain.

Registration is required for this popular event. (Registration opens one week before at 12 pm). Cancel your registration if you can’t make it so someone else can join.

Location: Whitehorse. Exact meeting location provided to registrants. 

Red fish blue fish

Wednesday, September 2 from 6 to 8:30 pm

Kokanee Salmon are the land-locked version of Sockeye Salmon and can be found at Scout Lake. Fisheries biologists will lead an evening walk to view the salmon in their spawning colours and talk about their life cycle and history. Bring polarized sunglasses if you have them; they make it easier to see into the water.

This event involves walking about 3 kilometres along the uneven terrain of the shore of Scout Lake. There is one short, steep hill down to the lake.

Location: Meet at the Yukon Department of Environment office at 10 Burns Road, Whitehorse. We'll carpool/caravan 45 kilometres to the site and back. This event involves a 60 kilometre (return) drive; a high-clearance vehicle is required.

See a map of the exact meeting location. 

I’m lichen it

Thursday, September 3 from 7 to 8 pm 

Lichen are a unique organism made up of an algae and a fungus in a symbiotic relationship. They come in a variety of shapes and colours and are found all over an ecosystem. On this walk Denny Bohmer, Conservation Data Center Coordinator and lichen enthusiast, will share with us the biology of lichens and show some interesting specimens. 

Location: This location will take place in Whitehorse. Exact location will be posted closer to the event.

SQUIRREL!

Wednesday, September 9 from 7 to 8 pm

At this time of year, Red Squirrels are working feverishly to collect enough cones to get them through winter. The chatter of these animated rodents will take on new meaning after this short lunchtime walk with biologist Edouard Belanger.  

Location: Robert Service Campground in Whitehorse (Turn right after entering the campground and park in the farthest lot). 

See a map of the exact meeting location. 

Fall colours bus tour

Saturday, September 12 from 1 to 5 pm 

Autumn is a special time of year to take a drive and we’re hoping to catch peak fall colours on this tour along the North Klondike Highway. We’ll stop at Fox Lake to enjoy the view, look for wildlife and stretch our legs before continuing to the Fox Lake Burn where we’ll take a short walk to a viewpoint overlooking the valley. 

This event involves sitting on a bus for approximately two hours and walking up to 500 metres on gravel trails. Bring warm layers appropriate for fall weather and being outside for up to 30 minutes at a time.

Registration is required as seating on the bus is limited. (Registration opens in mid-August).

Location: Meet at the Yukon Department of Environment office at 10 Burns Road in Whitehorse. The bus will travel to the Fox Lake Burn and back (about 150 kilometres roundtrip).  

Stoney Creek pika-hika

Sunday, September 13 from 9 am to 6 pm

The climb up Stoney Creek provides prime wildlife viewing. We’ll follow an ATV trail, looking for wildlife and taking in the views. We make frequent stops on the climb to learn about the plants and animals we see while we catch our breaths. At the treeline, there’s a great place to have lunch before the final push to the summit. We may be able to spot Collared Pika in the rocks at the top. This is a long day but oh-so-worth it.

This event involves a 17 kilometre hike with 890 metres elevation gain. Good hiking boots, warm layers, lunch and water are required. Trekking poles highly recommended. 

Location: Meet at the Yukon Department of Environment office at 10 Burns Road, Whitehorse. We'll carpool/caravan 62 km to the site and back (184 kilometres round trip). 

Small mammals on the move

Tuesday, September 15 from 6 to 7 pm

It’s the small things that make the world go around and biologists at the Department of Environment have been tracking them to study forest health. We’ll visit a forest plot that is part of the Community Ecological Monitoring program to chat with the biologist and more about how tiny mammals can show us what’s going on in a forest. We’ll check some of the live-traps and try to get a close-up look at these rarely seen critters.

This event involves walking off trail over uneven terrain through the forest. 

Location: Meet by the junction of Fireweed Dr and Booth Rd in Mary Lake, Whitehorse. 

See a map of the exact meeting location.

Night gliders

Saturday, September 19 from 4 to 5 pm

If you’ve never seen a Northern Flying Squirrel, you’re not alone. These small rodents live in the forest around us but leave their dens after nightfall, when most of us are in bed. Discover how these squirrels “fly” through the dark sky and try making your own squirrel glider to see how it measures up. 

Location: Meet at the picnic shelter at the Kathleen Lake Campground. See a map of the exact meeting location. 

This talk is part of the 2026 Northern Nights Festival hosted by Kluane National Park and Reserve. For more information about other great events happening this weekend visit the Northern Nights webpage. 

Boogie-woogie Elk bugling

Tuesday, September 29 from 6 to 9 pm

When elk are in the rut, their eerie calls (bugles) can be heard throughout the woods of the Takhini Valley. We’ll drive out to the Takhini Valley and to see if we can hear them. We’ll also talk about the history of these ungulates in the Yukon and how they survive here.

This event involves walking approximately 3 kilometres off-trail on uneven terrain with debris (stepping over logs). Dress warmly as summer is over and we’ll be out until dark. We’ll also be standing still and listening quite a bit.

Location: Meet at the Yukon Department of Environment at 10 Burns Road, Whitehorse. We'll carpool/caravan about 45 kilometres to the site and back (90 kilometres roundtrip).    

More September events coming soon!

Knee-High Nature and Free-Range Kids

Our kids' programs help families to spend time outdoors while exploring the natural world together. Each week, we focus on a different theme, with hands-on activities and lots of movement. 

Knee-High Nature programs is for toddlers, 4 years old and under. 
Free Range Kids programs is for children ages 5 to 10.

Our programs specifically for kids are all done for the season. See you next year!

If you have questions about events or meeting locations contact us email [email protected] or phone 867-667-8291 or toll free in the Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 8291.