Three Rivers: Protecting the Yukon's Great Boreal Wilderness

Abstract

The Three Rivers Project in the Yukon, Canada, aims to protect a magnificent but little known 30,000 km2 (11,583 miles2) wilderness in the Peel watershed, using the tools of science, visual art, literature, and community engagement. After completing ecological inventories, conservation values maps, and community trips on the Wind, Snake, and Bonnet Plume rivers, the Yukon chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) embarked on the Three Rivers Journey in 2003. First Nations, community participants, nationally selected artists, writers, scientists, photographers and conservationists paddled hundreds of kilometers down three tributaries of the Peel watershed. These journeys resulted in a national touring art exhibition, multi-media shows, and a book featuring the land and people. This paper describes the conservation campaign and the challenges in advocating wilderness protection in light of complex community priorities and government policies on resource use. CPAWS urges full protection for the Three Rivers wilderness and conservation of ecological integrity throughout the greater Peel watershed. CPAWS recommends special conservation zones in the remainder of the Peel watershed to protect critical wetlands, sensitive river corridors and other important biological and cultural features. The Peel watershed is identified as a candidate biosphere reserve.

Parent Publication

• Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium

Citation

Peepre, Juri. 2007. Three Rivers: Protecting the Yukon''s Great Boreal Wilderness. In: Watson, Alan; Sproull, Janet; Dean, Liese, comps. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium; September 30-October 6, 2005; Anchorage, AK. Proceedings RMRS-P-49. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 558-564