About the Preserve in 2019-20

President’s Report

Having the privilege to sit as the President this past year, enables me to reflect on so many aspects of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and the Operating Society, our Staff and volunteers, our government ambassadors, and our incredible Yukon community. For us, like many of you, this year has been a rollercoaster of both the physical and emotional form: a test of adaptability, perseverance, tenacity, and creativity.

Our plans for the past year included being open year-round, 7-days a week, which proved to be successful, and we are so blessed and honoured to be a winter destination for so many Yukoners and visitors, alike. We also saw immense outpouring of support in the form of donations and sponsorship, without which we cannot operate. We were also actively moving towards a public roll-out of our next 10-year Master Plan which includes upgrades to infrastructure, visitor services, and interpretive experiences. As the winter progressed however, our reality changed, along with the rest of the world. The Staff and Board of Directors made the decision to shutter our doors for a time, while we assessed all our options. With the leadership of our Executive Director, the support of our Board and that of the Yukon government, we emerged with creative solutions to keeping our members, our campers, and our staff safe and remain a coveted destination for members and visitors alike.

Because of the adaptability of our Staff, we have been able to continue to provide you with a place of peace, a place of reflection, a place of exploration, in a time where these places may seem inaccessible. While much of our programs and long-term plans are on hold for the moment, we look forward to continuing to be a favoured destination by all of you.

I am going to take this opportunity to thank again, our incredible Staff who dedicate every day to the animals, the place, and the people; and to our volunteer Board of Directors of which we rely for counsel and guidance. Thank you all for your continued support, and we all look forward to seeing you out at the Preserve throughout the coming months.

Alexandra Tait
President, YWPOS Board of Directors

Executive Director’s Report

Becoming more Accessible

The Preserve also took delivery of a low floor bus just as Nature Camps kicked off. Prior to that, one of our most common visitor injuries were slips on the older bus’s stairs (despite a seemingly endless number of attempts to make them safet). Not only was a big step for accessibility, it also has great heaters making it (at long last) very comfortable to do tours at colder temperatures!

Moose in the News

And of course it was another exciting year in Animal Care and Wildlife Rehabiltiation with not just one, but two moose coming in from Faro and Watson. Sadly, the little moose from Faro didn’t make it. Fortunately, Watson has thrived and has joined our (growing) herd of famous meese 😉

… And then COVID

Needless to say, 2019-20 didn’t end on a high note. We’ve all faced adversity we couldn’t have anticipated. We’ve cancelled, cut, pivoted, and more… But we have an incredible team here at the Preserve – one that has faced this head-on, ingenuity and positivity. I’m incredibly proud to be able to work with and support the team I have here.

Here’s more on how we’re responding to this crisis.

Thank you for all of your continued support!

Sincerely,

Jake Paleczny
Executive Director
Yukon Wildlife Preserve

Ex-Officio Report

In 2019-20, the Department of Environment and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve Operating Society concluded a two-year Operational Funding Agreement. The funding agreement was renewed for another year, up to the end of March, 2021. The agreement provides $732,000 to support the core operations at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve for the year, including animal care and facility maintenance.​

The Government of Yukon is supporting the Yukon Wildlife Preserve Operating Society to respond to the challenges of COVID-19 and to complete the master planning process to refine a long term vision for the preserve.

Master Plan Project Update

The Preserve undertook a comprehensive master planning process that started in March 2019 and substantively wrapped up in March 2020. It resulted in:

• A Master Plan Report
• A Business Plan and Financial Planning Tool
• A Brand Blueprint and Marketing Plan

The Preserve is now working with key stakeholders to refine the Master Plan Report. The renewed branding and marketing is now in the process of being implemented.

Master Plan Report

The plan represents a comprehensive plan for development of the Preserve over the next 15+ years. The document included:

• Site and Program Inventory
• Master Plan (including future goals, animal management, iste improvement, interpretation and education and more)
• Improvements to existing facilities/infrastructure
• Phasing and Budget
• Community Engagement

Some of the key results from this work include:

• Enhance animal handling infrastrucure that enables low-stress, safe handling for both animals and staff.
• Enhanced visitor infrastructure, including a new welcome centre and entrance walk, play areas throughout the Preserve, new walking trails, as well as other important amenities.
• New Yukon species and new habitats.
• New infrastructure to support mission based revenue generation.

Business Plan

Working with Zoo Advisors the Preserve identified key areas for enhancing sustainability of the Preserve through on mission revenue generation. The plan aligns with the Master Plan. A sophistacted projection tool will help the Preserve model impacts of different scenarios and revenue generation projects!

Marketing Plan

Working the Aasman Branding, the Preserve undertook an audit of its audiences and brand position. The results include a brand signature (positioning and our promise in its simplest form), clear audience segments and core messages.

The plan is focused on capturing more of Yukon’s tourists (as this represented the greatest area of growth).

Operations Report

Some of the highlights from the Outdoor Operations Department include:

• Upgraded / fence at AC Building and added apron
• Changed out fence along neighbours (Peter and Dinah) – was still old perimeter fencing and possibly one area where predators still had easy access.
• Installed 2nd cross fence between Mountain Goat cliff habitats.
• Repairs to 2nd MOuntain Goat cliff fence
• Removed old stand-off barrier in front of Mule Deer bucks (old T-bar)
• Finish demo and cleanup of “old chicken house” (beside new haybarn)
• Removed garage door from green shop and cleaned out
• Sorted, painted and organized pipe and wire supplies (there was a lot to do here).
• Demolished and cleaned up old hayshed in the back Elk habitat
• Inventoried buildings / quoted replacement values for insurance value updates.
• Inspected and repaired perimeter fence (a few holes patched but in good condition)
• Fixed muskox cow fence (new posts and wire along the back side after damage from broken trees late last winter).
• Upgrades to goat handling system (new gates and posts).
• Rebuilt cross fence between sheep ewe’s and rams
• Poured concrete pad and moved fuel tanks to Service Area by Garage.
• New fence line separating Ewe’s and Rams (fence will run perpendicular to the road, rather than on a diagonal, minimizing visible fence lines in Female Thinhorn Sheep pasture).
• Plowing snow and sanding, shoveling viewing platforms
• Site garbage collection and disposal
• Upgrades to signs in parking lot
• Griding large amounts of apples, carrots and oranges for animal feed
• Refurbishing chalk board signs
• Repairs to skidoos
• Wiring in reception
• Design eavestrough and roof extensions for feeding stations 
• Put up insulators for electric fence extension 
• Assisting with immobilized animals 

Randy’s crew keeps very busy!

Wildlife Rehabilitation Report

Overall, Wildlife Rehabilitation was much busier this summer than last. Highlights include a family of ducks – and of course a young moose!

Visitor Services Report

Retail Operations

Huge gains (13.0% increase in total revenue for 2019-2020 over previous year) were made in our Little Gift Shop revenue stream over the years while the building space remains the same. Visitor Services staff have been able to capitalize on every bit of space in the shop while still balancing aesthetics and an effective staff/client work space.

A major remerchandising of the front cabin occurred in December including upgraded display and furniture units. This was really well received by both staff and customers and allowed an important freshening of the space and product rotation to encourage sales of existing stock. It also allowed new stock, including some higher-end jewelry from local artists Vanessa with Yukon Wild Furs to be displayed well. Also, new book cases made our increasing and diverse collection of books easily viewable and explorable by visitors. 

We saw a significant increase in retail revenue in December as we worked with several local entrepreneurs to bring back the YWP exclusive Community knit toque fundraiser with 8 hats, 4 of which featured muskox qiviut.

The Preserve in 2020-21

Thank you.

We are forever grateful for your continued support. Together, we will overcome the challenges ahead. Our commitment to wildlife—and to you, our community—are at the heart of everything we do.

More on how the Preserve is Responding to COVID-19

We still need your support!

Our commitment to wildlife—and to you, our community—are at the heart of everything we do. Re-opening will allow us to continue our mission to connect our visitors to the natural world. It will also help mitigate the financial impacts on the long-term sustainability of the Preserve. That said, the ongoing, daily costs of caring for 200+ animal doesn’t change; so we’re not out of the woods yet. We still need your support.

Ways to Support

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Turn your businesses cash or in-kind support for the Preserve into PR for your business and perks for your team.

Ways to Stay Connected

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