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Yukon Conservation Society Celebrates 50 Years

Friday, 9 November 2018 12:54

The official logo (photo courtesy of Yukon Conservation Society)

Mike Walton says land management issues and diminishing biodiversity from development are pressing issues at this time for Yukon.

The Yukon Conservation Society is celebrating 50 years as an organization.

Mike Walton, executive director of the Yukon Conservation Society, says land management issues were and still are a pressing issue for the society.

"As we move forward we took on some early things. As an example, the White Pass Railway was operating daily trains and they wanted to manage their vegetation through an application of pesticides. We were able to intervene with the interest and support of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation."

Management of animals herds such as caribou, and helping coordinate water board licenses are the other examples of how the society has beneficially impacted First Nations.

Walton also says a healthy ecosystem is all correlated and that our very own biodiversity in the Yukon is being threatened from development.

"Issues are biodiversity loss and the permanent rates that we are losing plants and animals from the landscape. We really here in the Yukon need to be focusing on what's causing the loss of those plants and animals and a lot of that is directly related to development".

Walton notes the Peel Watershed in northern Yukon as one area needed for greater protection.

A dance party on Saturday, November 17 will also be taking place the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre at 7pm to celebrate the 50 year anniversary and all are welcome.

An illustrative artwork event for younger audiences is taking place that day at the centre at 2 pm.

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