Yukon recording artist Matthew Lien has signed a five-year agreement with the London-based British Exploring Society to commit his property at Whispering Willows Estate as a base camp for annual youth leadership expeditions.

Located on Dezadeash Lake, the property is also home to Flying Squirrel Studio and Wilderness Retreat, an ambitious economic and tourism-oriented project which was derailed by COVID-19.

Following a successful pilot operation this past summer, the British Exploring Society will bring up to 75 people, mostly consisting of young adults focused on leadership training.

Each year, once their base camp is established on the property, they will embark on several multi-day expeditions in small groups, into and around Kluane National Park over a six-week period.

The agreement is expected to bring economic benefit to Whitehorse and Haines Junction businesses, Lien said this week.

The society will rely on local services for food, fuel, vehicle and canoe rentals, parts and supplies during their stay.

“I had attracted hundreds of thousands of investor-dollars to create a state-of-the-art recording studio and wilderness retreat on the 53-acre property,” said Lien, the owner and operator of Whispering Willows Estate and Flying Squirrel Studio and Wilderness Retreat.

“When COVID derailed the final injection of investment from Asia, I feared the entire project would fail.

“Thankfully, this agreement brought some relief since it relies strictly on the land, and not on any facilities which remain incomplete,” Lien said.

The musician enjoys significant fame in southeast Asia, where he and his investors had expected most clients would be arriving from.

“I’m thankful this agreement can help us to hold on a while longer,” he said.

“There aren’t many low-impact economic development opportunities on the Haines Road, so I’m glad we have some time to find solutions for the larger studio and retreat.”