Wild Discoveries
2025 events calendar
Wild Discoveries is a program that provides opportunities for Yukoners and visitors to learn about and engage with the natural world. We offer interpretive walks and hikes, talks and public presentations that focus on a specific wildlife topic.
Scroll down to view events. Check back regularly as we add events throughout the year.
All events are free unless otherwise noted. Events with capacity restrictions require registration. If applicable, a registration link will be included in the event description. Cancel your registration if you cannot attend so we can offer the spot to someone on the waitlist.
Some of our events take place in hard to find locations. For those events, we use a service called what3words to show the exact meeting location. Simply click on the link provided, if applicable.
View wildlife viewing materials, brochures and links.
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Contact
For questions about Wild Discoveries, email [email protected] or phone 867-667-8291 or toll free in the Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 8291. You can also follow the Wildlife Viewing Program on Facebook and on Instagram.
Events
Events in and around Whitehorse
It all adds up: Mini-lecture on cumulative effects
Tuesday, January 6, 7 to 8 pm
When we think ‘impact on the land’ we often look at big mines or clear cuts. But smaller things like roads or trails can all add up and influence how animals move through ecosystems. Join the Wildlife Viewing Program and biologist Megan Hornseth to learn about cumulative effects research in the Yukon and how we can use this information to understand our impacts on the land.
Location: Whitehorse Public Library meeting room, 1711 Front Street
Cost: Free
All the world is sleeping: Mini-lecture on hibernation
Wednesday, January 21, 7 to 8 pm
It’s a long winter and we all have different strategies for making it through to spring. While some animals migrate to warmer climates, others sleep the winter away and wait until the weather improves. Join the Wildlife Viewing Program and biologist Meghan Larivee for a mini-lecture about the fascinating science of hibernation and how different animals survive the winter. This lecture is so interesting, you'll want to come out of hibernation yourself to join!
Location: Whitehorse Public Library meeting room, 1711 Front Street
Cost: Free
Love is in the air: Mini-lectures on lichens and mosses
Wednesday, February 11, 7 to 8 pm
This Valentine’s Day themed evening is all about healthy relationships. We’ll kick it off with “I’m lichen it!” all about the fungi and algae that come together to create an entirely new organism: lichen. Yukon Conservation Data Centre coordinator Denny Bohmer will share a short talk on this unique part of our ecosystem.
In the second half of the hour we’ll find out how “Love stinks!” when Splachnum mosses only grow on animal dung and attract flies to spread its spores. Habitat program technician Mariah Wittkamp will tell us about these fascinating mosses and their particularly smelly relationship with flies.
Location: Whitehorse Public Library, 1711 Front Street
Cost: Free
What can we learn from the dead? Necropsy demonstrations
Wednesday, February 25, 2 to 4 pm
Thursday, February 26, 7 to 9 pm
We can learn a lot about how an animals lived by studying them after death. Veterinarians from the Department of Environment’s Animal Health Unit have invited us to witness a necropsy, offering a small insight to an animal’s life and death.
This event is not for the faint of heart. There are strong smells and some blood as we look at the internal organs of an animal. Safety equipment including lab coats are provided and all participants will be given a short tour of the lab and safety briefing.
Space is limited so you must register for this event. (Registration opens 2 weeks before the event)
Tuesday (daytime) registration.
Wednesday (evening) registration.
Location: Department of Environment main office, 10 Burns Road
Cost: Free
Ski-bou: Skiing for caribou
Saturday, February 28, 2 to 5 pm
Ever see pellets or strange craters in the snow when you’re out on the trails? Who was digging there and what was it looking for? Join the Wildlife Viewing Program and biologist Shannon Stotyn for a short and easy cross-country ski along the Mt. Lorne trails, looking for signs of Woodland Caribou. We’ll learn about the Southern Lake caribou herds and the research that has been going on to understand them. If we’re lucky we may even glimpse some along the trail.
You must be able to cross-country ski at least 5 km and ascend or descend small hills. The trails are rugged and we will be stopping frequently to investigate signs of caribou. Dress warmly, and not for an intense workout.
Location: Mt. Lorne Community Centre, Annie Lake Road
Cost: Free
Tracks and trails
Wednesday, March 4, 7 to 8 pm
We can learn so much about how animals move across the land by the stories they leave in the snow. Join the Wildlife Viewing Program and expert tracker Ryan Sealy for a sunset walk in the woods, as we look for tracks and follow the movements of animals on the land.
Wear tall boots and snowpants so we can wade through deep snow to follow some trails.
Location: TBD
Cost: Free
Events in the communities
Our summer 2025 programming has concluded. We look forward to visiting the communities in spring and summer 2026.
Kid's programming
Knee-High Nature and Free-Range Kids
Our children's programming is about spending time outdoors exploring the natural world with your kids. Each week, we focus on a different theme, with hands-on activities and lots of movement. Knee-High Nature programs are targeted to toddlers, about four years old and under. Free Range Kids programs are designed for kids ages five to ten.
Thanks for a great season! Knee-High Nature and Free-Range Kids programming have concluded for 2025. Check for updates in spring 2026.