Care for the Creek Community Event at Chasàn Chùa

CPAWS Yukon and the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board, in partnership with Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nation, will be hosting a handful of events open to the public to share stories, connect with nature, and take action!

During the week of May 27th to June 1st, environmental professionals and partners will undertake large and complicated waste removal, investigate water quality, and more near the old municipal dump site as we move towards longer-term efforts of restoring the area. Please note that the weekday waste removal is NOT open to the public for safety reasons.

Eagle Nest Walk with Yukon Wildlife Viewing:
Tues May 28th • 7 - 8 pm • Eagle Bay Park Lookout

Join Carrie McClelland from the Yukon Wildlife Viewing Program for a walk-and-talk along the bluff overlooking Chasàn Chùa (McIntyre Creek). Spotting scopes and binoculars will be provided, so we can scan the wetland below to look for beaver, muskrat, moose, or eagle nests. This easy walk follows a relatively level but uneven foot-trail with sandy sections, so please wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather. We’ll be lingering at the point, so camp chairs or sit-upons to relax while wildlife viewing are encouraged. Meet at the Eagle Bay Lookout parking lot.

Habitat Refresh with Yukon Invasive Species Council:
Wed May 29th • 5:30 - 7 pm • The Point Parking Lot

Come on out to learn about invasive plant species and their impact on biodiversity in the Yukon with CPAWS with support from YISC. We’ll learn to identify potentially harmful invasives and how to remove and dispose of them properly to slow their spread, and pick up litter along the way to help make Chasàn Chùa a cleaner, healthier place for everyone—plants, animals, and people. Wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves if you have them. Trash bags and clean up materials will be provided. See you there!

Botanical Drawing Outdoors with Misha Donohoe:
Thurs May 30th • 6 - 7:30 pm • Eagle Bay Park Lookout

Join local artist and professional illustrator Misha Donohoe for a hands-on lesson in botanical drawing—the art and skill of illustrating plants. Class is outdoors, so please dress for the weather. We’ll be selecting subjects from plants growing in Chasan Chua, and art supplies will be provided, so just bring yourself, a folding chair, and your creativity!

Care for the Creek BBQ & Family Fun Day:
Sat June 1st • 10:30 am - 4 pm • Eagle Bay Park Lookout

Community BBQ 11:30am - 2pm • Interpretive walks • Special speakers • Group beading project • Fun activities for kids • Guided hikes • Prize draws

What’s Happening On Saturday?

10:30 AM—Opening Remarks

Things kick off with opening remarks about why caring for Chasàn Chùa is so important.  

11AM to 12PM—History Walk-and-Talk with Pat Tobler

Want to understand how this part of Chasàn Chùa came to need so much clean up and care? Join Pat Tobler of EDI Environmental Dynamics for a walk-and-talk on the history of the use (and misuse) of The Point as a landfill. 

11:30AM to 2PM—Community BBQ with the Yukon Fish and Game Association

Environmental conservation and restoration make you hungry? Then put a little mustard on your community spirit and grab a hamburger or hotdog or veggie burger grilled up by the kind folks at the Yukon Fish and Game Association! Compost and recycling bins will be available on site, so please be kind and respectful and kind to the land and wildlife by properly disposing of your left overs. 

12PM to 1PM—Reconnecting with Salmon Talk with Nika Silverfox-Young

Join Nika Silverfox-Young (Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation) of To Swim and Speak with Salmon—an Indigenous-lead youth advocacy group for Pacific salmon restoration, protection, and cultural reconnection—for an informal talk about the cultural, spiritual, and traditional importance of protecting and restoring Yukon River Salmon to First Nations peoples. 

1PM to 2PM– Chasàn Chùa Park Proposal Walk and Talk with Stephanie Woods

Wondering about the proposed Chasàn Chùa Park? Join CPAWS conservation coordinator Stephanie Woods for a nature walk-and-talk about the park proposal and the important (and wonderful) features the area contains. 

2PM to 3PM—The Secret (and Very Weird) Life of Boreal Forest with Laurence Fox

Want to get nerdy—like, super nerdy—about the Boreal forest? Join Laurence Fox, campaigns coordinator for CPAWS Yukon and long-time science journalist for a walk-and-talk about the seriously weird and wonderful lives of the plants and animals of the Yukon boreal forest. Buckle up, it’s going to get whacky. 

3PM to 4PM —The Wild and Wonderful World of Yukon Insects with Syd Cannings

Join long-time Yukon biologist (and serious bug enthusiast) for a walk-and-talk on an underappreciated Yukon treasure—of wild and wonderful insects!

More details coming soon. The events listed are drop-in, so no registration is necessary, but registration is encouraged to find out about the latest activities, speakers, and news.

To learn more about ongoing efforts and Chasàn Chùa, visit cpawsyukon.org/care-for-the-creek.

Location: Most events will be held at Eagle Bay Park Lookout in Whitehorse, located at the intersection of Range Rd and Whistle Bend Way. The Creek Clean-Up on Wednesday May 29th 5:30 - 7 pm will be held at The Point parking lot on Range Road, 1.3 km south of the Eagle Bay Park Lookout.

Who can attend: Everyone is welcome — adults, kids, and families. The events are drop-in, so no registration is necessary, but registration is encouraged to find out about the latest activities, speakers, and news.

What to bring: Please dress appropriately for being outside. We recommend bringing layers, water-resistant walking shoes, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and a water bottle. You might also want to bring your favourite plant or wildlife ID book, a notebook and pen, and a camera to take photos. A BBQ lunch will be provided on Saturday, June 1st.

This event is made possible with funding from the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Trust.

Event partners include Friends of McIntyre Creek, Yukon Conservation Society, Yukon Youth Conservation Corps, Yukon Unguided, Horizon Helicopters, Ensero Solutions, EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc, Yukon Fish and Game Association, Headwaters 2 Ocean Troutfitter, Yukon Invasive Species Council, and many more!