Render of the new Sustainable Community Hub, the opportunity for a new, conservation-focused community hub in the core of downtown Whitehorse.

The Parnell House of Tomorrow

Reimagining the Parnell House as a Green Community Hub

The Parnell family’s commitment to conservation in the Yukon began over 50 years ago when Ted Parnell became an early Director of YCS in the 1970s. In the 1980s, as part of his estate, Ted donated the house—now known as the Parnell House—to YCS. Over the years, Ted’s family has generously supported the Ted Parnell Scholarship to foster environmental education and leadership. As the Parnell House ages and YCS considers its future, Ted’s family have given their blessing to reimagine the house as a Green Community Hub—a space dedicated to conservation, community well-being, and environmental action for the next 50 years.


The Green Community Hub will serve as a multi-functional space where environmental education, climate action, and community well-being intersect. With our own YCS offices and meeting rooms alongside educational facilities and communal spaces for like-minded organizations, the hub will be home of sustainability and collaboration in the Yukon.

Support & Funding

We need your help to make this project a reality! Consider donating to support the Green Community Hub or lend your voice to support our application to the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund.

Key Features

  • Energy Efficiency: Passive House design, rooftop solar panels, and high-efficiency heating systems, including air source heat pumps and electric thermal storage units.

  • Climate Resilience: Flood-proof and fire-resistant materials, porous driveways, and pollinator gardens.

  • Community Spaces: Inclusive areas for mental health support, climate cafés, youth programs, and multifunctional workshops.

  • Sustainability: Innovative use of natural materials, rooftop gardens, and electric vehicle charging. 

  • Community Engagement: This hub is a community-driven initiative. We’re actively seeking input to shape its final design and programming, ensuring it meets the needs of all Yukoners.

  • Spaces for Learning & Workshops: The Hub serve as a learning center for all - tourists, locals, and businesses alike - allowing YCS to inspire a new generation of conservationists and leaders committed to sustainable development.


Why is the Green Community Hub important? Why should you support it?

Long-Term Sustainability Goals

Putting the green in the Green Hub. The project is designed to not only align with local climate adaptation strategies, but exceed them. The project will create one of the Yukon’s only net-zero carbon emitting buildings through features like:

  • Energy performance that exceeds the National Energy Code.

  • Net-zero carbon emissions in building operation.

  • Solar PV and renewable heating units like air source heat pumps & ETS units to reduce the burden on the local electrical grid.

  • Natural & energy efficient lighting and high-performance insulation for maximized energy efficiency.

  • Sustainable building materials like mass timber structural design to limit the use of concrete and resilient design through flood-resistant materials.

  • Nature-based solutions like rooftop pollinator gardens to provide habitat and mitigate stormwater overflow.

Community Resilience & Support

The Hub will be, first and foremost, a community asset. A place where conservation work and environmental education can take place; where Yukoners can voice their concerns, work towards a greener future, and find hope in the work being done for our environment.

  • Community workstations and meeting spaces.

  • Barrier-free design to create an inclusive space, including universal washrooms, and accessibility-focused infrastructure.

  • Integration of Indigenous knowledge to further net-zero operation and Reconciliation goals.

  • Spaces for hands-on experiences and workshops to empower the next generation of conservationists & foster stewardship among young community members.

  • Programs tailored for underserved groups, including youth, the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and people with disabilities.

  • Open concept design and programming to encourage public engagement & use of the space.

A model for sustainable development

A benefit to all who live in and visit the Yukon

A showcase for the power of collaboration in tackling climate change

The completed Green Community Hub will support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 and help to ensure the Yukon plays its small part towards global climate action.

The Parnell House Campaign supports UN SDG #4 by providing conservation-focused education and workshop space, particularly for under-served groups.
The Parnell House Campaign supports UN SDG #11 by being a net-zero carbon emitting building and energy performance that exceeds national code requirements. Buildings like these help make Whitehorse a sustainable city with lower carbon emissions.
The Parnell House Campaign supports UN SDG #7 by operating off solar PV and renewable heating, giving the building energy independence, reducing strain on the electrical grid, and reducing overall diesel usage in the Yukon.
The Parnell House Campaign supports UN SDG #10 by providing infrastructure, space, and services specifically for under-served groups like people with disabilities, youth, and the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
The Parnell House Campaign supports UN SDG #9 by incorporating resilient and sustainable building materials and design.
The Parnell House Campaign supports UN SDG #13 by taking direct climate action and allowing us to walk our talk - operating at minimum environmental impact and doing our bit to support global climate action.

A project the whole community can support

Our project is looking to take the next steps with the support of local NGOs and Indigenous communities.

“This initiative is poised to become a focal point for community engagement, education, and environmental stewardship in the Yukon”

-Chris Pinkerton, Executive Director

CPAWS Yukon Chapter

Letter of support from CPAWS Yukon

“We’re confident that the Parnell House sustainability project will significantly contribute to the Yukon’s sustainability goals and generate direct benefits for the entire territory.”

-Michael Ross, Ph.D., P.Eng

Industrial Research Chair in Northern Energy Innovation

Letter of support from Yukon University's Northern Energy Innovation.

“This project will create invaluable space for events, workshops, and educational programs, contributing to the public’s understanding of energy efficiency and conservation.”

-Shane Andre, Director

Energy Branch, Yukon Government

Letter of support from the Yukon Government.

“This hub has the potential to be a blueprint for sustainable community development, combining Indigenous knowledge with environmental science”

-Kailen Gingell, Cultural Director

Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre

Letter of support from the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre

Get Involved

for your chance to win a FREE Sunshine & Wild Co. hoodie or a Winterlong Brewing prize pack!

Lend your voice to support direct climate action and our efforts to contribute to making Whitehorse a more sustainable city.

Signature of support

Lend your voice to the project - we need 1000+ names to strengthen our funding application and suggest names & ideas for the space!

Collaborate on the Parnell House campaign as a business or organization to support climate action being taken right here in our community.

Partner & collaborate

If you or your organization want to learn more, collaborate, or express your support, we want to hear from you! There are lots of ways to get involved.

Honouring Ted Parnell’s Legacy

To celebrate Ted Parnell's lasting impact, YCS will be dedicating a space and plaque in the new building to honour Ted Parnell and his long-lasting support of conservation efforts across the Yukon. His work as an early Director at the Yukon Conservation Society, as a conservationist, and as a supporter of Indigenous rights have all helped to shape what the Yukon Conservation Society has become and stands for today.

The donation of the Parnell House paved the way for generations of grassroots conservation work in the Yukon, while the Ted Parnell Scholarship has continued to support and inspire future generations of environmental stewardship. Ted Parnell’s legacy and contributions to YCS cannot be understated.

If you would like to support the Ted Parnell Scholarship, which grants funding support to post-secondary students pursuing environmental science-related degrees, please consider donating.