Environment Committee
Peel Land Use Plan - After many years of participating as a stakeholder in the process, we have seen a final recommended plan produced by the Peel Commission. The plan calls for 80% protection of the area with an emphasis on sustainable industries such as wilderness tourism. The plan, if accepted by the governments, will ensure that this iconic area will remain in a natural state for future generations and give our industry some certainty. There is still work to be done to see this plan become a reality and WTAY will continue to work as hard as necessary to see the Peel truly protected.
WTAY contributed to the development of the Forestry Act that was passed by YG. We would have liked to see the Act consider more of the other uses and values of the forest, but YG has mostly considered the logging industry and its needs. However, there are positive sections that deal with planning and there is a commitment to develop best practices and standards in the future.
WTAY has been approached to contribute to the documenting of recreational values for the Klondike region. This data will be used in the development of a Land Use Plan for the Klondike region. WTAY will be seeking an individual who can represent our industry in the process.
WTAY provided the YESAB office in Dawson City with information on tourism uses in the "White Gold" area and Scroggie Creek road. This area will see a great amount of exploration activity in the near future and possibly a hard rock mine. The area is at the confluence of the White and Yukon Rivers and the Stewart River .
We submitted to YESAB a letter supporting the Keno City residents in there desire to have the Alexco Mine/mill built in Elsa instead of Keno City. Keno City has become a tourism destination and the residents will clearly be impacted by a mill that will be a few hundred meters from the town center. YESAB and YTG approved the mill location. This is very disappointing as the residents were not opposed to the mine and only wanted the existing Elsa site to be used for the mill.
Throughout the year the Environment Committee has provided submissions to YESAB on a number of projects. We have tried to comment on any project that would effect wilderness tourism operators, assets and wildlife. As there has been a huge increase in mineral exploration in the Territory it has been very difficult to comment on all the projects. We would encourage individual operators to participate and submit comments when they can.
Andrea Altherr attended the Visitor Experience Opportunities Workshop hosted by Kluane National Park Reserve on behalf of WTAY. The goal of the workshop was to create a vision for the park. Key items were that people want more access to the park on existing routes. The visitor numbers are dropping and user demographics have changed. More access is needed in the ‘front country’ and on short trails. People want to see more accommodating hours at the Parks Canada visitor centers.
2009 saw the installing of our first two thunder boxes (outhouses). We worked with YG Parks who built and installed one at Masons Landing on the Teslin River. The second one was installed by WTAY at Taco Bar on the Peel. We believe that some of the high use campsites should have thunder boxes installed to lessen the human impacts.
As always, we have worked very closely with Cathryn Paish at YTG tourism in regards to industrial project applications, mapping projects and data collection. Cathryn has been a great advocate for our industry and deserves our thanks for her many years of hard work.
Lands Committee
Unfortunately, there has been little movement on developing a Commercial Wilderness Lands Policy. WTAY surveyed our membership on their thoughts on this issue and it is still of interest for many. We wrote to Hon. Archie Lang to express our concern on the lack of progress. We also met with Independent MLA Brad Cathers and Mike Draper at YTG Lands Branch. There is clearly a lack of desire by the Yukon Party to move this policy forward. We believe that only a change of government will advance this important policy that our industry needs. The Wilderness Tourism Industry is currently the only industry that has no means of obtaining land in the back country. WTAY feels this puts our industry at a disadvantage and will continue to push for a Commercial Wilderness Lands Policy.
The Big Game Outfitters policy has been developed and two Outfitters have applied for sites. Lone Wolf Outfitters (in theTeslin area) and Bonnet Plume Outfitters (in the Peel area) have applied for a number of sites. We have submitted comments to YG Lands Branch but no decisions on any of the sites have been made to date.
Education Committee
The Education Committee has been very active this year. They have organized three workshops. The first one was held in June 2009 and focused on Best Environmental Practices on Yukon Rivers. Martha Taylor and Kathy Elliot instructed this event. Our BEP brochures have been translated and printed in German and Japanese and are also available on our website. Support for this initiative was provided by North 2 Knowledge.
We encouraged members to educate travellers about best camping practices BEFORE they arrive by adding a “best environmental practices” link to their websites or e-mail the link to clients: http://www.wtay.com/thingstoknow.aspx
The committee is currently assessing the need among rental companies for a spring 2010 BEP seminar for their staff.
Andrea Altherr and Dave Mossop hosted a full day Natural History Workshop in June, 2009. Support for this event was provided by
Department of Tourism Product Development Partnership Program.
WTAY held a two day Risk Management Workshop in April, 2010.
Ross Cloutier presented this workshop. He is a recognized world authority in adventure tourism legal liability and risk management and has worked in numerous countries in this capacity. We had 24 people attend this workshop. The second ‘half-day’ format was designed for WTAY members who have attended his workshop in the past and wanted a ‘refresher’ and new information.
Notified members of relevant training such as Wilderness First Aid.
Marketing Committee
Marketing Yukon Wild is such a major part of what we do every year that these activities are detailed in a separate report, available on request.
Representation on Non-WTAY Committees
-
Tourism Industry Association of Yukon Board of Directors
-
TIAY Senior Marketing Committee
-
Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund Review Committee
-
Yukon Tourism Training Fund Review Committee
Input / Consultation
Outside of committee activities, WTAY is frequently consulted on a wide range of projects and issues. Staff or directors may review projects, make submissions or be actively involved with project development. After considerable WTAY input, the Department of Tourism released both the Yukon Wilderness Tourism Status Report and the Yukon Wilderness Tourism Status Report Summary last winter. Copies of this report are available through the WTAY office.
Partners
In conjunction with North 2 Knowledge, WTAY held our Best Environmental Practices Seminar and completed our online and printed Best Environmental Practices on Yukon Rivers brochure translation initiative.
WTAY’s President, Neil Hartling has stepped up to continue to represent WTAY on the Board of the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon. WTAY has participated extensively in the Tourism Development Business Planning process. TIAY President
Rod Taylor (owner and operator of Uncommon Journeys Ltd.) was appointed to the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) board of directors.
Because of our partnership with TIAY, WTAY Members are now entitled to a free membership in TIAY.
WTAY continues to work with all levels of government to ensure wilderness tourism interests are understood, protected and enhanced. WTAY acknowledges the ongoing support of the Yukon Government, in particular the Department of Tourism & Culture and Minister Elaine Taylor. The Department of Environment continues to generate valuable data on wilderness tourism activities. Wilderness Tourism Licensee trip reports help us to monitor and ensure the protection our most valuable resources. Federally, Parks Canada provides valuable opportunities and services to the wilderness tourism sector.
Other organizations that WTAY has actively partnered with in the past year whose work is valuable and complimentary to ours include:
-
Yukon Conservation Society
-
Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society
-
Yukon Convention Bureau
With the prompt support of our membership, and support of our treasurer, WTAY has successfully changed our fiscal year end to March 31st. This will match the year end of the YukonWild Marketing Program. The result will be a simplified year-end for our staff, treasurer, bookkeeper and accountant.
WTAY’s main communication tool is the E-News which provides short bulletins with links to where you can get more information. Members used the E-News to sell canoes, vans, trailers and to find employees. WTAY staff will continue to upload content on our members’ website www.wtay.com
The WTAY Board of Directors meets once a month, September through May. If you would like to receive meeting minutes, please contact the office.
Administration
Janice Sibbeston is the WTAY office manager. This is a .75 time position supporting the work of the nine-member Board of Directors. The Marketing Committee oversees the YukonWild marketing program. The office manager is available by appointment. We have a small office in the Horwood’s Mall upstairs at First Avenue and Main Street in Whitehorse.
Your comments and questions are always welcome.
Contact us at:
#4 – 1114 First Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1A3
Tel: (867) 668-3369 Fax: (867) 668-3370 Email: wtay@klondiker.com
Review our past achievements:
