A groundbreaking project aiming to establish a vast habitat corridor for wildlife stretching from Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. to Canada’s Yukon has been selected as a finalist for Prince William’s prestigious annual environmental awards. The initiative, known as the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), has been named one of the top three finalists in the Protect & Restore Nature category of the 2026 Earthshot Prizes. The Earthshot Prize recognized Y2Y as a monumental conservation endeavor that seeks to reconnect a vast mountain landscape across Canada and the U.S. to facilitate the free movement of wildlife.
The corridor, home to diverse wildlife such as wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, and endangered mountain caribou, spans over 3,400 kilometers and currently encompasses 25 million hectares of protected land, an area slightly larger than the United Kingdom. Y2Y, established in 1993 as a collaborative effort between the U.S. and Canada, has made significant strides in expanding protected areas within the corridor, doubling the coverage from nine to nearly 18 percent over the past three decades.
The project was inspired by a wolf named Pluie, whose satellite tracking data revealed an extensive journey across multiple U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and national parks. Conservationists realized the importance of considering the broader ecological needs of wildlife like Pluie, leading to the inception of Y2Y. With the looming challenges of climate change and habitat fragmentation, the initiative aims to provide a sustainable solution by creating a continuous migration route for animals and promoting habitat connectivity.
Y2Y’s efforts have not only benefited wildlife but also improved conditions for people, offering more recreational parkland and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions through the implementation of wildlife crossings. The initiative has collaborated with various stakeholders, including governments, Indigenous nations, private landowners, and scientists, to achieve its conservation goals. Despite financial constraints, Y2Y remains committed to expanding its network of protected areas and wildlife crossings to ensure the long-term sustainability of the corridor.
While the Earthshot Prize funding may not cover all the project’s expenses, the recognition and support from the global environmental community are invaluable in advancing Y2Y’s mission. By sharing experiences and resources with other conservation initiatives worldwide, Y2Y aims to address common challenges such as habitat loss and fragmentation. The Earthshot Prize, awarded annually since 2021, recognizes innovative solutions in environmental conservation across various categories, with a vision to drive positive change and sustainability efforts until 2030.
