Statement from Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker on National Forest Week

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker has issued the following statement:

“Each year, from September 22 to 28, we celebrate National Forest Week across the Yukon and Canada. This is a meaningful time to reflect on the deep connection we share with the Yukon’s forests and to honour the role they play in our lives.

“Here in the Yukon, we have more than 28 million hectares of boreal forests that are essential to our ecological, cultural, social and economic wellbeing. As a government, we understand the responsibility we have to protect and manage this land.

“We strive to ensure that people and companies use our forest resources sustainably, while supporting socioeconomic opportunities and protecting our valuable forest ecosystems.

“We are pleased to join the Canadian Institute of Forestry to acknowledge this year’s national theme, Two-Eyed Seeing: Welcoming all knowledge to sustain our forests, integrating Traditional Knowledge and western science with mutual respect. This theme reflects the importance of integrating Traditional Knowledge and western science in forest management with mutual respect and collaboration.

“Yukon First Nations bring critical knowledge to the management of healthy forests for future generations. Our government is committed to honouring this wisdom and working in partnership with First Nations to ensure our forests remain healthy and vibrant.

“Together with Yukon First Nations, as well as stakeholders and other levels of government, we have developed four key forest resource management plans, which help manage and protect the Yukon’s public forest land. This includes identifying areas available for timber harvesting, as well as environmentally and culturally sensitive areas, and areas that need to be conserved for traditional uses, heritage resources and more.

“As we take this time to focus on the importance of our forests, I want to personally thank all Yukon First Nations stewards, along with forest technicians, researchers, scientists, harvesters, wildland firefighters and all those who support sustainable management of our forests for future generations.”