Yukon Wild Rivers

After an inspiring two week journey with his family and friends on the Hart River this summer, renowned Canadian scientist and conservationist David Suzuki did not hesitate to call for protection of the entire Peel watershed. We were privileged to join David and his wife, Tara Cullis on the raft and canoe trip down the Hart – a river of infinite variety with sinuous slow-moving channels and frothy fast waters, stunning castellated ridges, canyons, and sweeping forested valleys. Other family members on the expedition were daughter Sarika Cullis-Suzuki, and son, Yukon resident Troy Suzuki. The Hart is one of four major wild tributaries of the Peel recommended for protection by the Peel Watershed Land Use Planning Commission, a plan endorsed by the region’s First Nations.

While it is clear that David and his family were moved by the natural beauty and ecological vitality of this place, and the contribution the Peel watershed could make to conservation in Canada’s North, their fellow travellers relished the lively and far-reaching conversations with Canada’s leading family for the environment. David Suzuki reminded us that, although protecting the Peel watershed is a vital imperative, it is still only one facet reflecting the urgent need to re-shape the way we think about nature, the economy, and our place on the planet.

Read Sarah Locke’s Yukon News article on the Hart River journey:

http://www.yukon-news.com/business/25018/

Watch a video with David Suzuki on the Peel (by Marten Berkman):

http://youtu.be/tOWU0pypS9M

Read the Yukon News article on David Suzuki’s perspective:

http://www.protectpeel.ca/PDF/Suzukiyukonnewsaug26.pdf

David Suzuki fly-fishing for grayling on the Hart River. Juri Peepre

To read the recommended Peel watershed land use plan, visit:

http://www.peel.planyukon.ca/downloads/FRLUP.html

Globe & Mail Features the Peel Watershed, July 23

Read Bruce Kirkby’s excellent article on why Canadians need to protect the Peel watershed wilderness:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/destinations/travel-canada/how-long-will-canadas-final-frontier-stay-wild/article2106639/

Take Action

For the latest news, action alerts and background information on the campaign to protect the Yukon’s 68,000 km2 Peel Watershed, visit:  www.protectpeel.ca Protectpeel is loaded with images, video and the stories behind the conservation campaign. Find out what you need to know, and what you can do, to support Canada’s largest proposed protected area.

Check out the Peel Watershed post on the National Geographic Global Action Atlas. Yes, the Peel conservation campaign has gone global!

http://www.actionatlas.org/content/id/pa33B5CA1D2654818C01

Sarah and Troy relax on Sheep Cave Mountain, on the Hart River. Juri Peepre

Wild Rivers of the Yukon’s Peel Watershed: A Traveller’s Guide

… is your complete source for planning a trip to the Yukon’s vast north-eastern wilderness – and learning more about the natural and cultural history of this inspiring landscape. Published in 2008 by Juri Peepre and Sarah Locke, the book is available from Yukon outdoor and bookstores (Mac’s Fireweed, Up North Adventures), Mountain Equipment Co-op (Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto), and on-line from www.yukonbooks.com.

Wild Rivers is an essential companion to help you navigate the Three Rivers country (the Wind, Snake and Bonnet Plume), as well as the Peel, Hart, Ogilvie, Blackstone and Rat rivers. This well illustrated field reference will be a welcome gift for your friends or family who are thinking about a future northern canoeing or hiking trip.

The book features detailed river descriptions, maps, landscape and historic photos, tips on river travel in the Peel region, and engaging descriptions of the flora, fauna, geology, human history and conservation story. For more information, see About Our Book posted in the right margin.

Contact Us

To order the book directly from the authors, send a cheque or money order payable to Juri Peepre, 1575 Windermere Loop Road, Windermere, BC, V0B 2L2. Price: $24.95 + $1.19 GST + Shipping = $32.00 CDN. For more information, phone 250-688-1005, or post your comment or question in this blog.