A groundbreaking initiative aiming for a vast 3,400-kilometre habitat corridor connecting Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. to Canada’s Yukon has made history as the first Canadian finalist for Prince William’s prestigious annual environmental awards. The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) has been selected as a finalist in the Protect & Restore Nature category of the 2026 Earthshot Prizes. The Earthshot Prize recognized Y2Y as a monumental endeavor, describing it as one of the most significant conservation collaborations ever, reuniting a vast mountain landscape across Canada and the U.S. to enable wildlife to move freely as they have for centuries.
This corridor is home to various large mammals, including wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, and endangered mountain caribou, with 25 million hectares of protected land already encompassing the area, slightly larger than the United Kingdom. Y2Y, initiated in 1993 as a joint effort between a U.S. non-profit and a Canadian charity, has seen substantial progress over the years.
The Y2Y project draws inspiration from a wolf named Pluie, equipped with a satellite tracking collar near Banff National Park in 1991. Pluie’s extensive travels spanning three U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and three national parks highlighted the necessity of conservation efforts on a vast scale to support wildlife like her.
Recognizing the impact of climate change and the need for migration routes due to shifting temperatures, Y2Y has been instrumental in expanding protected areas along the corridor from nine to nearly 18 percent. Collaborating with numerous partners, including governments, Indigenous nations, private landowners, and scientists, Y2Y has facilitated the construction of over 200 wildlife road crossings and contributed to the recovery of endangered species like the Klinse-Za caribou herd in British Columbia.
Apart from environmental benefits, such as reduced vehicle collisions and enhanced parkland for public enjoyment, the initiative plays a vital role in carbon absorption and water preservation in the region. Looking ahead, Y2Y continues to work on developing more protected areas and crossings to support wildlife conservation efforts.
While the $1.9-million Earthshot Prize could significantly aid Y2Y’s cause, the initiative acknowledges the substantial costs involved in conservation projects, such as constructing wildlife overpasses. However, the recognition and support from the Earthshot team can amplify Y2Y’s impact, attracting more individuals and resources to address similar environmental challenges globally.
The Earthshot Prize, established in 2021, aims to drive innovation in combating climate change and resolving ecological issues and is set to run until 2030. With five categories focusing on nature preservation, air quality improvement, ocean restoration, waste reduction, and climate solutions, the award seeks to inspire innovative solutions to pressing environmental concerns.