  Bones, Bottles and Birch Bark Baskets
Join Long Ago Yukon and a team of professionals from the Yukon Heritage Resources on Saturday, April 14th from 1 to 3 p.m. for an artefact identification event at the Whitehorse Public Library! We will have expert archaeologists and palaeontologists on hand to help you uncover what that unusual family heirloom you have really is, or the significance of the neat object you found on a summer outing. A representative array of ancient specimens and historical artefacts will also be on display. Come drop by, show your treasures or just to see and talk with local experts about our rich archaeological and paleontological heritage here in the Yukon. Discover Yukon's rich past with us at this free, community event! Location: Whitehorse Public Library Meeting Room Time: Saturday, April 14 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm Long Ago Yukon is an independent, voluntary association, which organizes educational events celebrating our archaeological and paleontological heritage here in the Yukon. We all have a role to play protecting and preserving our heritage resources. Check out Long Ago Yukon on Facebook. Or for more information contact Michael Dougherty at 633-6579 or pazypan@yukon.net  Dr. Robert Losey, of the University of Calgary will be our fifth Long Ago Yukon SKYPE lecturer for our 2017-2018 series. He will speak via SKYPE at 1p.m. at the Beringia Centre on Saturday, February 17th. Dr. Losey’s topic will be “Early People and Dogs in the North: from Siberia to North America". Background Dr. Robert Losey, Professor in the Anthropology Department at University of Calgary, has extensive archaeological field and laboratory experience in Eastern Siberia focussing on human-animal relations particularly on the domestication of dogs. He was the recipient of a $241,299, 2014 - 2017 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Insight Grant for the study of The Long Term History of Humans and Their Dogs in the North. Dr. Losey has also been exploring prehistoric hunter-gatherer lifeways in Northeast Asia as part of the Baikal-Hokkaido Archeology Project (BHAP), which consists of an international and multi-disciplinary team of scholars with expertise in archaeology, physical anthropology, ethnography, molecular biology, geophysics, geochemistry and environmental reconstructions. This compliments his work on the location of dog domestication in Ust’-Polui and Ivolgin, Siberia as well as in Alaska to determine whether archaeological finds are dog or wolf fossils. This remains a contentious issue. Long Ago Yukon is a voluntary group that endeavours to engage Yukoners through a variety of activities in education and action supporting the protection and preservation of the archaeological and paleontological heritage of our territory. For more information feel free to contact Michael Dougherty at 633-6579 or pazypan@yukon.net 2018-2019 Call for Proposals:
The 2018-2019 Call for Proposals is now open for the Habitat Stewardship Program (Species at Risk Stream only) and the Aboriginal Funds for Species At Risk Program (both Prevention Stream and Species at Risk Stream). Important Notes:
Table 1. HSP/AFSAR Regional Priorities applicable to Yukon (Terrestrial) SAR Stream (HSP and AFSAR) * must address SARA-listed species Prevention Stream (AFSAR only) * target species cannot be SARA-listed but may be COSEWIC-assessed Tier 1 – Focal Landscapes None None Tier 2 – Overarching Priorities Species:
Tier 3 – Other Regional Priorities Species:
About the AFSAR and HSP Programs: For information about HSP and AFSAR, please visit the HSP and AFSAR webpages. Additional information about the Call for Proposals is linked below: HSP
AFSAR
To Apply: It is important to contact the regional coordinator early during the Call for Proposals window (open now until March 19th 2018) in order to complete an Expression of Interest, particularly to discuss the new tiered priorities. Regional coordinators also provide access to the online tracking system, which is required to submit your proposal. Please note the online tracking system is currently being updated with the 2018-2019 application forms and is anticipated to be ready by mid-February. Saleem Dar, HSP and AFSAR coordinator, Yukon (terrestrial projects) Saleem.Dar@canada.ca; 867-393-7976 Vivian Chow, HSP and AFSAR coordinator, Pacific Region (aquatic projects) Vivian.Chow@dfo-mpo.gc.ca; 604-666-4565 2018-2019 Call for Proposals:
The 2018-2019 Call for Proposals is now open for the Habitat Stewardship Program (Species at Risk Stream) and the Aboriginal Funds for Species At Risk Program (both Prevention Stream and Species at Risk Stream). There will be no Call for Proposals for new projects for the 2018-2019 fiscal year for the National Wetland Conservation Fund, or the Prevention Stream of the Habitat Stewardship Program. Due to re-allocation of funds to other conservation priorities, these programs are fully allocated for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Please note that all existing multi-year agreements under these programs are unaffected. For more information, please see the NWCF and HSP websites. About the AFSAR and HSP Programs: For information about HSP and AFSAR, please visit the HSP and AFSAR webpages. Additional information about the 2018-2019 Call for Proposals for HSP (Species at Risk Stream) and AFSAR (Prevention Stream and Species at Risk Stream) programs are linked below or attached to this email. Documents and Forms: HSP
AFSAR
To Apply: It is important to contact the appropriate regional coordinator early during the Call for Proposals window (open now until March 19th 2018) in order to complete an Expression of Interest, particularly for terrestrial projects to discuss the new tiered priorities. Regional coordinators also provide access to the online tracking system, which is required to submit your proposal. Please note the online tracking system is currently being updated with the 2018-2019 application forms and is anticipated to be ready by mid-February. Sincerely; Agathe LeBeau, National Wetland Conservation Fund Coordinator, Pacific Region Agathe.Lebeau@canada.ca; 604-350-1923 Ivy Whitehorne, Habitat Stewardship Program Coordinator, Pacific Region (terrestrial projects) Ivy.Whitehorne@canada.ca; 604-350-1939 Kate Shapiro, Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk Coordinator, Pacific Region (terrestrial projects) Kate.Shapiro@canada.ca; 604-350-1952 (Tues and Weds), 604-664-9044 (Mon and Thurs) Vivian Chow, HSP and AFSAR coordinator, Pacific Region (aquatic projects) Vivian.Chow@dfo-mpo.gc.ca; 604-666-4565 This is your opportunity to provide the federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change with comments on proposed amendments to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk (“Schedule 1”) under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA). At present, the Government of Canada is considering the scientific assessments by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) of 21 terrestrial species that are eligible either to be added to Schedule 1 or to have their current status changed. Note that Yukon government, Yukon First Nations, Renewable Resources Councils, the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board, the Wildlife Management Advisory Council-North Slope, and the Porcupine Caribou Management Board are also being consulted at this time.
Three Yukon species are included in the proposed amendments to Schedule 1: Barren-ground Caribou (including the Porcupine herd) is proposed as Threatened due to dramatic declines in most herds across Canada, although two herds (including the Porcupine herd) are increasing. In Canada, 14-15 Barren-ground herds range from northeastern Alaska to western Hudson Bay and Baffin Island. The current population across all Canadian herds is estimated at about 800,000, down from over 2 million in the early 1990s. In Yukon, the Porcupine Caribou herd is found from north of Dawson City to the Arctic coast. If listed as a Threatened species, SARA’s prohibitions will apply in Yukon’s National Parks and National Wildlife Areas, although harvest rights and wildlife management processes set out in land claims will still take precedence. In addition, a national Recovery Strategy will be required, which will identify critical habitat to the extent possible. More information, including COSEWIC’s assessment and status report, is available on the SARA Public Registry at http://sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=1341 Evening Grosbeak is proposed as a species of Special Concern, due to significant long-term declines over most of its range since 1970. This large finch is widely distributed across Canada’s forests, and it is found in all Canadian provinces and territories except Nunavut. In Yukon, it is only known from mature boreal forests in the extreme southeast, and occasionally as far west as Watson Lake and Upper Liard. Threats to the species include reduced availability of mature and old-growth mixed wood and conifer forests, collisions with windows, and mortality associated with feeding on grit and salt along roads in winter. If listed as a species of Special Concern, a national Management Plan will be required. More information, including COSEWIC’s assessment and status report, is available on the SARA Public Registry at http://sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=1327 Transverse Lady Beetle is proposed as a species of Special Concern. It was once common throughout most of Canada, although declines began in the 1970s and it is now absent in southern Ontario and the Maritimes. In some parts of western and northern Canada, the species is still commonly recorded, and it is known throughout Yukon. The spread of non-native lady beetles is considered one of the possible threats to this species. If listed as a species of Special Concern, a national Management Plan will be required. More information, including COSEWIC’s assessment and status report, is available on the SARA Public Registry at http://sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=1326 The “Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Terrestrial Species – January 2018,” which explains the process can be found at http://registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/document/default_e.cfm?documentID=3200. Species profiles for the three Yukon species are appended at the end of this document. The consultation document also includes a questionnaire (see page 4) with guidance on the types of information and comments we are seeking. You are invited to submit comments regarding the potential impacts of these proposed amendments to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Your comments will be considered and will inform the Minister’s recommendation to Cabinet. Please provide comments by May 22, 2018 for Evening Grosbeak and Transverse Lady Beetle, and by October 22, 2018 for Barren-ground Caribou. There will also be an opportunity to provide comments during the 30-day public consultation period associated with pre-publication in Canada Gazette Part I. If you require additional time, please inform us prior to the requested deadline. Please contact Saleem Dar directly at the contact below if you would like to provide comments, if you have questions about the SARA process or the species under review, or if you would like to request an in-person presentation of this material: Saleem Dar Canadian Wildlife Service 91780 Alaska Highway Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5X7 Phone: 867-393-7976 Fax: 867-393-7970 Saleem.Dar@canada.ca Comments can also be sent by email to ec.registrelep-sararegistry.ec@canada.ca or by regular mail to: Director General Canadian Wildlife Service Environment and Climate Change Canada Ottawa ON K1A 0H3  Join the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC): Yukon Centre and Parks Canada at Kathleen Lake in Kluane National Park and Reserve for two evenings of stargazing!!
Painting workshops, astrophotography workshops with Neil Zeller ($22/pers), local music, bat house workshop, star gazing, traditional stories with CAFN, marshmallow and music concert, The Hot Dog Roast, and more... Last year at the event, special guest Prof Wayne Horowitz from the Hebrew University, archeologist and academic, participated in the presentation. Who will there be this year??? |
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