The territorial government has released its new Yukon Parks Strategy, setting the long-term direction for the territorial parks system from 2020 to 2030.

“The strategy sets the direction for Yukon parks for the next 10 years and responds to the growing demand for Yukon government campgrounds,” Environment Minister Pauline Frost told a news conference held at the Wolf Creek Campground.

“We are proud to have a strategy to guide how we will sustainably manage and invest in Yukon’s parks and campgrounds.”

The strategy will help ensure healthy land, healthy people, and a healthy economy, the minister said.

Meanwhile, it will cost more to use the territorial campground system.

Under a revised fees structure, the new fee for a night of camping will be $20, or $18 if paid in advance through a new online system. The current fee for a night is $12.

The annual Yukon resident camping permit will go from its current $50 to $100 in 2022 and rise a further $100 in 2023.

The seniors’ discount will be 50 per cent for all daily and annual Yukon resident camping permits. Currently, it’s a 100 per cent discount.

In 2018-19, more than 1,500 Yukoners, 200 non-residents, 10 First Nations governments and 28 Yukon organizations provided input on the strategy. Major actions in it include:

• extending the serviced campground season to five months, from May 1 to Sept. 30;

• building a new campground with up to 150 campsites at an unspecified site within a two-hour drive of Whitehorse ;

• developing new trails in territorial parks;

• increasing accessible wilderness experiences at boat-in and hike-in campsites;

• an online reservation system pilot project for some campsites; and

• expanding park infrastructure and adding additional campsites at existing campgrounds.

To help achieve the major actions, there are 10 strategic priorities the draft strategy proposes for the decade-long period:

• Keep doing what’s working;

• develop a parks system plan;

• welcome year-round park use;

• enrich and diversify park experiences;

• make it easier to get a campsite;

• establish and operate new parks;

• ensure protection;

• advance reconciliation;

• modernize regulations; and

• financially sustain our parks.

Frost said territorial parks play a large role “in protecting Yukon’s environment, cultural heritage, and ongoing traditional use by First Nations and Inuvialuit.

“I’m proud that this strategy will help support reconciliation with First Nations and Inuvialuit,” Frost added.

“For example, we will identify new parks and protected areas in collaboration with First Nations and Inuvialuit, making sure we honour Indigenous rights, languages, harvesting, and traditional uses of land.”

This strategy will also create job opportunities in rural Yukon as well as result in capital investments, Frost said.

“Through local employment and contracting opportunities, implementing the strategy will have a positive economic impact on many communities,” she said.

“By investing in parks and campgrounds, we are supporting Yukoners to stay active and get out on the land, as well as supporting our important tourism sector.”

Frost said parks and campgrounds are some of the territory’s best assets, and that became even clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic when more Yukoners opted to stay within the Yukon’s borders.

To sustain services in the parks, Frost said, campground fees will rise.

“These fees will help ensure we can continue to offer world-class experiences in our parks and campgrounds while increasing services, such as an online registration system,” she said.

“We also look forward to continuing to provide affordable access to outdoor opportunities with some of the lowest camping fees in Canada, and perks you can’t find anywhere else like free firewood.”

The Yukon government maintains 42 campgrounds with more than 1,000 campsites, 12 recreation sites, and six larger wilderness parks, like Tombstone.

In 2018, these campgrounds provided 57,000 nights of camping for more than 89,000 people.

CPAWS welcomes announcement.