Pan-Territorial Permafrost Workshop

As the climate continues to change, thawing permafrost is becoming an increasingly complex issue across the North. Much of the infrastructure in the North was built under the premise that permafrost would remain frozen. Therefore, recent changes in climate and landscape pose a serious risk to infrastructure stability. However, this challenge also poses opportunities for innovation as new tools, practices, and techniques are continually being developed to better adapt. Currently there is significant activity and research around permafrost in the North. Workshop planners are keenly aware of this activity and are planning this workshop to both build on the momentum of this permafrost activity and to fill a niche.

The Permafrost Workshop will bring together front-line decision makers from Nunavut, NWT and Yukon, permafrost researchers and experts to share knowledge, form connections and look at possibilities for adaptation in the future. The workshop will focus primarily on the effects of permafrost on infrastructure and how to mitigate those effects. This workshop will focus on three streams of infrastructure: buildings, linear (roads, transmission lines, pipelines etc.) and site specific (air ports, mine containment structures and waste management). Communities, roads, buildings, coastlines, mining camps, cultural sites, waste sites and pipelines are all affected by thawing permafrost and will all be addressed during this workshop. The workshop is expected to enhance knowledge and generate ideas for adaptation that can then be applied to infrastructure-related decisions in communities across the North. To be a part of this initiative, register today to attend the Pan-Territorial Permafrost Workshop.

Go to the Pan-Territorial Permafrost Workshop website to register or to find out more.  NAPEG members interested in registering or in need of more information should contact either Kari VanGeffen/Brian Sieben (GNWT) or Sara Holzman in Nunavut Environment prior to registering:

Sara Holzman, Email
Department of Environment
Government of Nunavut
P.O. Box 1000, Station 1360
Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0
PH: (867) 975-7733
FX: (867) 975-7739

Kari VanGeffen/Brian Sieben Email

Government of Northwest Territories
PO Box 1320, Yellowknife, NWT X1A 2L9
Ph: 867-920-6592 / Fax: 867-873-0221

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