Natural History Special Events Series

Sponsored By International Polar Year, Outreach and Communications Fund for 2008-2010.

The Natural History Special Events Series celebrates annually the creatures and processes that shape Dempster Country by sharing experience, knowledge and understanding of scientific and local communities.
All the events are free and open to the public. They are based out of Tombstone Territorial Campground, km 72 on the Dempster Highway.

June 4th-6th 2010 Weekend on the Wing

This year marks the 11th annual Weekend on the Wing
Tombstone Bird Checklist


  • Dempster Specials intro to local birds, with audience participation.
    7pm, Friday
  • Drawing Workshop Heighten your sense of observation through drawing, led by David Curtis. 10 am, Saturday
  • Hike into highlands of the Park providing experience in finding and identifying high alpine and tundra nesters. 1 pm, Saturday
  • Road Caravan Driving and stopping at key points along the Dempster Highway will provide training in identification of shorebirds, warblers, thrushes and tundra nesters. 11am, Saturday
  • Dave Mossop Presentation and Slide Show on long-term projects monitoring Raptors, Ptarmigan and other birds along the Dempster. 7pm, Saturday

  • Coffee Birding Strolls, leisurely walks with experts that provide training in local bird song, identification and habits. They occur in the early morning when avian activity is at its peak.
  • Sunday's activity is to be determined by the weekend’s participants, and involving other members of the Ornithological community in the Yukon, including experts from our partners at the Yukon Bird Club.
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    June 25th-27th, 2010 Botany Days

    The fourth annual Botany event.
    Botany Days Poster


    Friday, June 25th

    • 7:30 pm Alpine Flora Slide Show, photography by the late Robert Frisch

    Saturday, June 26th

    • 9am Willow Identification Workshop
    • 11 am Ethnobotany walk focused on traditional uses of plants with a Gwich'in Elder Ruth Welsh.
    • 12:30 pm Lunch
    • 2-5pm Meadow walk
    • 7:30 pm Presentation on Tombstone Specialities by Bruce Bennett

    Sunday, June 27th

    • 9am Alpine Hike (5-8 hours) led by Bruce Bennett
    • 11am Workshop, TBA
    • 2pm Botany For Dummies Hike, 2-3 hours

    July 24th-25th, 2010 Insect Weekend

    The Second Annual Insect Weekend
    Insect Weekend Poster


    Saturday, July 24th

    • 11am Butterfly Walk with Maria Leung, meet at Tombstone Campground Cook Shelter.
    • 2pm Guided hike to find local Insects (3 hours, bring your vehicle).
    • 7:30pm Presentation TBA

    Sunday, July 25th

    • 11am Introduction to Aquatic Insects, followed by a short walk to collect and observe, with Bonnie Burns, Aquatic Specialist.
    • 7:30pm Presentation, TBA

    August 19th-21st, 2010 Mammals Days

    The third annual Mammals Event

    • Events for this weekend TBA
    • The weekend will include hikes with mammals experts and local knowledge holders, presentations by researchers in our area, and artist led workshops.

    September 4th-5th, 2010 Lichen Fungi Weekend

    This is the first event focused on Lichens and Fungi.


    • Events for this weekend TBA
    • The weekend will include hikes with amateur lichen enthusiasts, mushroom walks with local knowledge holders, and an artist led workshop .

    Archives of Past Natural History Special Events: (yet to be posted)

    Weekend on the Wing
    Botany Days
    Mammals Days
    Weekend on the Rocks

    Please contact us at: friendsofdempster@gmail.com
    PO Box 153, Dawson City, Yukon, Y0B 1G0