Change Starts Now!
Add your name if you will stand with Currie Dixon and the Yukon Party!
WHITEHORSE – Since the 2025 election, the Yukon Party government has taken action to conserve wildlife and habitat, support sustainable access to the land and deliver responsible environmental management.
These efforts reflect our commitment to balancing conservation, recreation, economic opportunity and environmental responsibility, while protecting the Yukon’s unique natural environment today and for future generations.
“Yukoners elected us to be strong stewards of our territory’s rich natural resources, including the lands, waters, fish and wildlife that are central to life in the Yukon,” said Minister of Environment Wade Istchenko. “Since taking office, we have supported wildlife conservation efforts, strengthened environmental stewardship initiatives, expanded opportunities for Yukoners to access the land and worked closely with First Nations and stakeholders to improve environmental management and decision-making, while helping protect critical resources for future generations.”
The Yukon Party government is also strengthening Yukon’s co-management system through continued appointments to Renewable Resources Councils and other boards and committees that support wildlife management, environmental stewardship and local decision-making.
As of October 2026, 81 percent of Renewable Resources Council positions were filled, up from 67 percent in December 2025. This helps support effective governance and strong partnerships across the Yukon.
“Strong stewardship depends on strong partnerships and local knowledge, experience and expertise,” said Istchenko. “Renewable Resources Councils and co-management boards play a crucial role in shaping impactful decisions about wildlife and land use. Supporting these bodies means Yukon communities continue to have a strong voice in the management of the resources they deeply care for and depend on.”
Since the election, we have taken action to conserve wildlife and habitat, support sustainable access to the land and strengthen environmental stewardship, including:
• Conserving Yukon forests for future generations by planting 422,000 aspen seedlings in 2026, with another 400,000 planned next year as part of a goal to plant up to 1.9 million seedlings by 2031;
• Supporting the recovery of Yukon River Chinook salmon by continuing rebuilding efforts in partnership with First Nations, harvesters and international partners, working toward the Canada-Alaska rebuilding target of 71,000 returning salmon;
• Investing in community-led conservation and stewardship initiatives through a $450,000 contribution to the Conservation Fund, bringing its total value to approximately $635,000;
• Advancing protected area planning and conservation efforts by continuing work with Parks Canada and the Ross River Dena Council on the Ross River protected area feasibility process;
• Promoting healthy wildlife populations through ongoing management efforts that contributed to the Finlayson Caribou Herd increasing from approximately 2,700 to more than 3,300 animals;
• Supporting sustainable access to the land by expanding hunting opportunities through new and enhanced hunt authorizations;
• Collaborating with Yukon’s outfitting industry by conducting a comprehensive outfitter review to support a sustainable and competitive sector and;
• Strengthening environmental oversight and accountability through continued investments in monitoring, governance and responsible resource stewardship.
Together, these initiatives help ensure Yukon’s wildlife, habitats and natural resources remain healthy, productive and accessible for future generations.
“While we look forward to making more progress on this important work, we are pleased to report significant successes over the past year,” said Istchenko. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting conservation, strengthening partnerships and ensuring future generations can continue to benefit from the Yukon’s rich natural environment.”
-30-
Media Contact
Tim Kucharuk
Media Director
(867) 689-7874
[email protected]
