The Yukon Geological Survey (YGS) had a busy year in 2019, welcoming seven new staff and initiating several new projects. In addition to its regular activities, the survey hosted a planning workshop with clients and stakeholders in April to identify gaps in Yukon’s geoscience knowledge base and engage participants in a discussion about their current and future information needs. The YGS holds these workshops every five years, and they are valuable for providing insights into research and exploration trends, generating ideas for new projects, and identifying opportunities for collaborative partnerships. As a backdrop for these discussions, participants were asked to consider how existing and emerging markets, climate change, societal needs and new technologies might influence how the YGS collects, manages and disseminates information. This paper provides both a brief overview of 2019 program activities and a summary of what was heard at the April planning workshop. Workshop discussions covered a broad range of topics and included both specific project ideas as well as general themes. The YGS has already initiated some of the projects that were proposed in April. The paper is organized based on the thematic breakout sessions at the workshop; current activities underway under each of the themes are presented first, followed by a summary of the input heard at the workshop.

The Yukon Geological Survey (YGS) includes a staff of approximately 20 geoscientists that conduct a wide variety of studies, including traditional bedrock and surficial mapping, community hazards mapping (e.g., monitoring landslides and thawing permafrost), mineral assessments, metallogeny and geothermal research. The role of geoscientists is to provide the knowledge required to meet society’s demand for natural resources, environmental sustainability, and improved resiliency against geohazards (American Geosciences Institute, 2012). The mandate of YGS is to provide objective, geoscience-related information to government, Yukon First Nations, and the public. Our research helps inform geoscience-related policy and investment decisions in Yukon, as well as support the land-use planning process. As a public government organization, we must improve geoscience literacy through effective communication so that all citizens of the Yukon understand how Earth’s systems (lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere) influence their everyday lives. Educating Yukoners will help them to make informed judgments that affect our territory and encourage public participation in policy making. Yukon Geological Survey recognizes the importance of having geoscientists on staff who are dedicated to outreach and education. As of September 2023, YGS has two full-time, permanent Outreach Geologist positions. This paper is a summary of YGS’ outreach and education activities over the last year

The Yukon Geological Survey (YGS), a branch within the Government of Yukon, is dedicated to advancing our understanding of Yukon’s geology and disseminating this knowledge to various stakeholders, including other government departments, First Nations governments, private companies and the public. The YGS team conducts research across a range of Earth science fields including surficial and bedrock geology mapping, mineral assessments, permafrost and landslide monitoring, geotechnical monitoring along highway corridors, and geothermal research. This research generates data essential for understanding Yukon’s environment and addressing challenges. A foundational understanding of Earth science is essential for government partners, First Nations and the public to fully benefit from YGS’ findings. The YGS supports informed decision-making, responsible land stewardship, and economic development by making geoscience knowledge accessible. Outreach serves as a bridge between research and real-world application, ensuring that YGS’s research is not only shared but also understood by end users. The YGS seeks to inspire and engage with Yukoners by demonstrating how Earth science is both fascinating and relevant to daily life. The YGS helps individuals make informed decisions about the Yukon’s land and resources by sparking curiosity and building an understanding of Earth science. The YGS prioritizes outreach efforts by fostering collaboration with First Nations, supporting educators with curriculum-aligned resources, and encouraging public engagement with Earth science. This overview highlights YGS’ outreach initiatives and achievements throughout 2024.

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Geoscience, which is the study of Earth systems, is complex and highly dynamic. It examines the interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere – all of which are critical to sustaining our planet (AGI, 2012). The Yukon Geological Survey’s mandate is to provide objective geological information to Yukon government, Yukon First Nations and the general public. This information underpins geoscience-related policy and investment decisions in the territory, and adds value to Yukon’s geoscience knowledge base. With a staff of more than 15 geoscientists, the Yukon Geological Survey (YGS) conducts a wide variety activities from traditional bedrock and surficial mapping, to focused studies such as community hazards mapping (e.g., monitoring landslides and thawing permafrost), and mineral assessments, among others. As a government organization, it is our duty to not only engage with First Nations and other governments, but to also educate all citizens of the Yukon about the importance of geoscience in order to help society find and manage our natural resources for the present and future (Geoscientists Canada, 2018). YGS recognizes the importance of having a geoscientist on staff who is dedicated to outreach and education. Communicating geoscience effectively, and educating Yukoners on how Earth systems work will help them to make informed judgements that affect our territory, as well as our planet (AGI, 2011). Despite the ongoing pandemic, YGS remained very active in public outreach and education; this paper provides a summary of activities for 2021.

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This paper provides a high-level overview of the Yukon Geological Survey’s (YGS) activities in 2023. Several of the projects described here are presented in more detail in the 2023 Yukon Exploration and Geology technical papers volume. References to these are included where applicable. The YGS had a challenging year in 2023. Wildfires and landslides punctuated the field season, disrupting field plans for some, and requiring work priorities to be adapted. Additionally, the survey had six staff members leave and two others were on extended absences, which had an impact on operations. Despite a reduced capacity, YGS staff continued to deliver on projects and fill client requests for information. Recruitment efforts are underway and YGS anticipates seeing growth in the coming year. Looking forward, 2024 marks the start of the survey’s next five-year planning cycle. The YGS has started preparing for discussions among staff, research partners and clients about knowledge gaps and emerging needs. Readers are welcome to reach out and share their project ideas or suggest ways to improve on data delivery.