2008-2009
Lands & Environment Committee
Actively involved with the Peel Watershed Land-Use Plan process throughout the year. WTAY attended the stakeholder meetings to voice our concerns over the lack of protection the current plan has. WTAY will continue to lobby for more protection in the Peel Watershed.
The YG Forestry Act was passed with few details included in the Act. There will be public consultation on the regulations starting in mid-June. WTAY will provide input at the public consultation to address tourism concerns and impacts.
Met and submitted comments to the consultants working on the Five-Year YESAA Review. We voiced our concern about the cumulative effects of projects and that many of the recommendations made by YESAA are not followed through by YG.
Provided submissions to YESAB on specific projects that were being reviewed. These included the Red Mountain Tote Road and the Alexco's BelleKeno proposals. As always, we lobbied for YESAB to consider the impacts of industrial development on the wilderness tourism industry, fish/wildlife and the environment.
Attended the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board 20/20 Vision Symposium in November. We brought our member’s concerns to the table regarding issues such as Wildlife Habitat. WTAY stressed that Wildlife Habitat must be politically valued and protected permanently through sound Land Use Planning. Encouraged groups take responsible leadership in maintaining healthy wildlife populations so we can maintain the brand of ‘Yukon’ as a vast, pristine land.
Education Committee
Committee has been very active this spring organizing two workshops. The first one was held on June 2nd at 6:30 p.m. at Wolf Creek 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.
Andrea Altherr and Dave Mossop hosted a full day Natural History Workshop on Friday, June 12th at McIntyre Creek and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. Support for this event is provided by Department of Tourism Product Development Partnership Program.
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
Organized a three-day Interpretation Canada Certification in Dawson and
Whitehorse. A total for 31 people participated. This is the second year WTAY has hired Lisa McIntosh to facilitate this event. There was very enthusiastic feedback from participants again this year. Support was provided by North 2 Knowledge for both Interpretation Workshops.
Notified members of relevant training such as Wilderness First Aid.
In conjunction with our 2008 AGM, WTAY hired sports and adventure insurance expert Nick di Perno of SSEI Sport & Special Events Insurance Agency. Nick’s presentation focused on changes to the insurance industry and tips for liability waivers.
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 prepared by WTAY’s Marketing Manager, 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
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 this winter.
Partners
In conjunction with North 2 Knowledge, WTAY held two Interpretive Skills Workshops this year along with our Best Environmental Practices Seminar and 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. Rod is a long-standing and
active WTAY member who sits on the WTAY marketing committee. Because of our partnership with TIAY, WTAY Members are now entitled to 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
Information
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 which is managed by Pawlovich & Associates Inc. Both the office and marketing managers are 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
Document prepared by Janice Sibbeston, WTAY Manager
