Our latest lecture


Rocking the St Elias: A Giant Earthquake, Hidden Faults, and what it means for Yukoners

Andrew Schaeffer, Research Scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Adjunct Professor at the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria. Delivered two presentations: Monday, March 2nd, Whitehorse, and Tuesday, March 3rd in Haines Junction. 

On December 6, 2025, the largest onshore earthquake in Canada in over 75 years, a magnitude 7.0, struck the St. Elias Mountains beneath the Hubbard Glacier. The talk cover edwhat happened, what it revealed about a previously hidden fault system, why it triggered over 200 landslides near the epicentre, how scientists study earthquakes in some of Canada's most remote terrain, and what new research is revealing about how the ground beneath our feet affects the shaking we experience. Andrew also discuss what this means for earthquake preparedness in the North — especially as permafrost and climate continue to change.

​Co-hosted by YukonU and Yukon Science Institute
CBC Interview with Andrew Schaeffer - AirPlay with Dave White
Listen here

Upcoming Lectures

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Image courtesy of and copyright Jeff Kerby



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    Image courtesy of and copyright Stephen Insley

The Greening of the Yukon:
How shrubification is reshaping biodiversity in tundra and boreal forest ecosystems
​Lori Schroeder Memorial lecture ​

Who: Prof. Isla Myers-Smith, Canada Excellence Research Chair
Forest & Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship https://teamshrub.com/ 

What: The impacts of rapid climate change are shown by the extensive greening apparent in satellite records and by vegetation change on the ground. Answering questions of when, where and why vegetation has changed is critical to predicting future change and informing wildlife management. In our research, we are finding increasing shrub cover, altered timing of plant growth and accelerating permafrost thaw, with all of these changes altering the habitat for wildlife including caribou, migratory birds and insect pollinators. I will share our research findings to date and how working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and Northern partners is strengthening our collective understanding of how Yukon biodiversity is being impacted by accelerating climate change.
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Where and When: March 27th, 6:30PM Gold Rush Inn
  • This lecture is part of the 2026 Yukon Biodiversity Forum March 27 and 28, organized by Yukon University, Government of Yukon, Yukon Science Institute, and Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (Yukon Chapter) ​

Cape Parry Thick-billed Murres: Solving an Arctic Seabird Mystery

Who:  Stephen Insley and Rosana Paredes

What: Thick-billed murres are deep-diving, fish-eating, cliff-nesting seabirds that live most of their lives at sea in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. The Cape Parry colony, about which very little was known, is one of the smallest and most isolated and the only colony in the western Canadian Arctic (the Inuvialuit Settlement Region). We set out to fill in some of the basic gaps in what is known about these murres, such as where do they go when they are at sea especially during the winter, and are there any new risks to their survival caused by climate change and human activities.  

A joint presentation of the Yukon Science Institute and the Yukon Bird Club

​Where and When: Sunday, April 12, 7 PM, Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, Whitehorse

Yukon Biodiversity Forum - ​Saturday, Mar 28 from 9 am to 4 pm

Join us at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre (Multi-Purpose Room) for a day filled with exciting presentations focused on Yukon biodiversity. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a scientist, or simply curious about the environment, this event is perfect for you!
Doors open at 8:30 am.
Lunch is provided.
Please note that space is limited. If things change and you are not able to attend, please cancel your ticket (thank you!).
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PLEASE REGISTER HERE - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2026-yukon-biodiversity-forum-tickets-1983124781606
For the agenda, please visit:
https://www.yukonu.ca/research/projects/biodiversity-working-group-annual-forum

This event is organized and funded by Yukon University, Government of Yukon, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, and Yukon Science Institute with additional funding from EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc.

Sponsors and Partners We'd Like to Thank

Partners in the Research in Progress Lecture Series: Yukon University hosts YSI lectures on the Whitehorse campus and community campuses. Their partnership and support is much appreciated.

Hosts for our Board Meetings: Associated Engineering, and Normandy Living. Their support is appreciated. 

Additional funding to support YSI activities comes from membership fees and donations of services.