EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

✍ ed@yukonconservation.ca

Emmett is deeply passionate about change management, anti-colonial and anti-racist environmentalism, and working to nurture psychologically safer workplaces. Em is a sincere and earnest communicator and advocate and is looking forward to serving the Yukon in their role as the Executive Director of the Yukon Conservation Society.

OUTREACH & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

✍ outreach@yukonconservation.ca

BSc (Biology), BFA (Cross-Disciplinary Life Studies), PGC (Environmental Visual Communications)

Sarah-Juliet is a multimedia artist, scientist and storyteller. SJ was raised on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (Caledon, Ontario).

She is interested in contributing to environmental conservation, restoration and sustainability initiatives through collaboration, intersectional project work, public education, and creative communications. SJ is into hiking, fungi and mycorestoration, decomposition and anatomy, ecosystem dynamics and ecological interactions, experimental film and documenting temporal change, as well as life drawing and making art out of found materials.

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

✍ office@yukonconservation.ca

Joan comes from a farming background and is part owner of Grizzly Valley Farms. She brings to YCS experience in retail sales and non-profit societies, as well as having a background in bookkeeping and financial management.

In the past she has been part of the Fireweed Community Market as a vendor selling crafts, preserves and farm produce as well as a board member from 2005-2013. For years growing and selling food has made her aware of how delicate our food systems are and she does what she can to live sustainably. She has written for What’s Up Yukon about her farming experiences.

Joan is passionate about local food and loves to garden, with a soft spot for honeybees.

FISH, WILDLIFE & HABITAT ANALYST

✍ wildlife@yukonconservation.ca

Sebastian has been a member of the Dawson Renewable Resources Council and is now vice-Chair of the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board. He has also worked for the Northern Climate ExChange and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. Sebastian was a Director of the Conservation Klondike Society from 2005 to 2009, and was on the board of YCS until becoming the Peel Watershed Coordinator in 2011. He then became one of YCS’s Energy Analysts, commenting on government policy related to energy, oil and gas, and climate change.

He is now the YCS lead on fish, wildlife and habitat issues, including land use planning, wetlands protection and land use policies. Sebastian also keeps our membership informed through writing and media and he works on mining issues that impact fish and wildlife.

ENERGY ANALYST

✍ energy@yukonconservation.ca

BSc (Mechanical Engineering),
MSc (Sustainable Energy and the Environment)

Scott brings a multi-disciplinary engineering background to the Yukon Conservation Society. Scott holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s of Science in Sustainable Energy and the Environment, where he was exposed to a variety of energy technologies. His research focused on developing tools to predict maintenance requirements for tidal stream turbines to increase their reliability. Scott has worked on the construction of run of river hydro-electric projects and enjoys working with data as a tool to develop informed decisions.

His enthusiasm for the outdoors has motivated his interest in renewable energy technologies and energy management. Hobbies include spending time skiing, biking and hiking.

CLEAN ENERGY COORDINATOR

✍ renewables@yukonconservation.ca

Ian Tuck grew up on scenic Vancouver Island, where his deep connection to nature began. This passion for the outdoors led him to pursue an Environmental Science degree at the University of Victoria, driven by a desire to protect the environment he loves. With over two years of experience as an aquaculture consultant, specializing in aquatic ecology, Ian has honed his expertise in ecological sustainability. As a key member of the ReBuild initiative at UVic, he was able to work on energy retrofits and solar power installation projects at the university, showcasing his commitment to innovative environmental solutions.

An avid fisherman, hiker, and camper, Ian can often be found exploring the outdoors. His love for nature is matched by his enthusiasm for competing in triathlons, reflecting a lifelong dedication to sports.

Ian is excited to bring his passion and dedication to the Yukon Conservation Society, contributing to the preservation and sustainability of the territory's stunning landscapes.

MINING ANALYST

✍ mining@yukonconservation.ca

Kayla has a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Energy Development and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Calgary. She has experience working on environmental files with Indigenous and Métis Nations in the Fort McMurray region of Treaty 8. She believes that energy, mining, and economic development can be done in a way that meet the needs of the current generation without jeopardizing well-being of future generations.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backcountry camping, running, and fencing. She is excited about the opportunity to explore the Yukon’s wilderness.

ENGAGEMENT & FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR

✍️ engage@yukonconservation.ca

Jared is a recent Human Geography graduate from the University of Victoria and brings an eclectic mix of experience with odd jobs and hobbies to the Yukon Conservation Society. He gained a love for conservation from his work rehabilitating illegally trafficked wildlife in Southeast Asia and South America, and is now excited to bring his talents home to the Yukon, where he was born and raised. If Jared had any free time, he would enjoy spending it with a good podcast and a lemonade at the beach.

SUSTAINABILITY INTERN

✍️ sustainability@yukonconservation.ca

Freya is a driven and energetic conservationist. She started out in avian conservation field work as a ranger for critically endangered kakī/black stilt and threatened hihi/stitchbird in New Zealand. She also helped collect climate-related bird migration data on the Baltic coast of Poland. Freya is excited to learn more about conservation in the Yukon where she has previously worked in aquaculture and organic agriculture.

Freya grew up in sunny Tauranga on the North Island of New Zealand. She completed a BSc majoring in Zoology and Ecology and a Masters of Wildlife Management at the University of Otago, South Island of New Zealand. During her undergrad Freya went on an exchange to the University of Iceland, where she fell in love with northern latitudes and a Canadian.

As an avid outdoor enthusiast, for her honeymoon Freya and her husband hiked the Te Araroa trail 3000km the length of New Zealand. These days, she enjoys skijoring and bikejoring with her 'Yukon Special,' Rama.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR

✍️ programs@yukonconservation.ca

Born and raised on the warm and rainy shores of Vancouver Island, Isabelle brings her enthusiasm for outdoor education to the Yukon Conservation Society. With a certificate in Adventure Tourism and a Bachelor's in Biology, Isabelle has worked as an interpreter, naturalist or educator in many different roles. She has worked as a sea kayaking and hiking guide, whale watching crew and naturalist, killer whale and zooplankton researcher, college outdoor education instructor, ecological field worker and francophone leadership camp facilitator. Isabelle likes to use education and interpretation to tackle environmental and conservation issues by bringing awareness and connection to place on her tours. In her spare time, you can find her in the garden, looking for birds, paddling, climbing and trying to tire out her crazy husky (an impossible task).

YCS’s official office dog and #1 supporter, Rama is the glue that holds our conservation efforts together. Rama spends his time outside of work running, sniffing, snoozing, and going to the dog park.

A part-time employee at YCS, Toa works hard when in the office to protect the YCS staff from squirrels. She takes her job very seriously and performs routine sniff to make sure there are no squirrels hiding inside the building. In her free time, Toa likes to run, bask in the outdoors and play tug-of-war.