Progressing policies that support connectivity, protected landscapes and communities in the Yellowstone to Yukon region
Y2Y works to protect and maintain natural connections for wildlife, for people and nature, communities and culture, and for habitat and waterways.
Ensuring the right conservation policies are in place — ones that help connect and protect habitat across the transboundary Yellowstone to Yukon region — is key to achieving this work.
Y2Y is excited to welcome Laurel Angell as Director of Government Relations and Policy, a new position that helps bring a laser focus on this important aspect of advancing Y2Y’s mission.
Laurel will lead Y2Y’s policy, law and government relations projects in the United States and Canada and will support our international policy work as well.
Laurel brings a breadth of experience in environmental, climate and biodiversity policy development, and strategic campaigns.
She developed her political and policy experience working for a decade in Washington D.C., including serving as policy advisor and legislative staff to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources.
Helping nature and people thrive together
Laurel’s career has centered on finding common ground solutions to address the climate and biodiversity crises.
Prior to joining Y2Y, Laurel was working as a strategic consultant for foundations and climate/environmental organizations on public funding, deep canvassing, and strategies to restore and enhance lands and waters.
Her inclusive leadership on climate and conservation is informed by the variety of roles she has played over the years, spanning Congress, non-governmental organizations, and foundations.
“We need just and equitable policies and funding in place to advance impactful conservation on the ground,” says Laurel. “I am honored to help the Y2Y team advance the work of connecting and protecting habitat in service to people, nature and more resilient and equitable communities in this critical region.”
Advancing the Yellowstone to Yukon vision
Spanning five American states, two Canadian provinces, two Canadian territories, and at least 75 Indigenous territories, the Yellowstone to Yukon region is unlike any other in the world. Working across these diverse geographies also means a diverse political landscape.
Laurel’s past experiences, including a variety of positions focused on national parks and public lands, provided her insight into the complex problems facing lands, waters, and communities. This instilled a deep commitment to working towards solutions.
“I am honored to help the Y2Y team advance the work of connecting and protecting habitat in service to people, nature and more resilient and equitable communities in this critical region.”
Laurel Angell, Y2Y Director of Government Relations and Policy
As Y2Y’s director of government relations and policy, Laurel’s work will include supporting existing and new partnerships to advance government relations priorities, collaborating with government and community leaders, while sharing scientific research and recommendations for enduring conservation solutions.
“I look forward to continuing to build and expand the role that Y2Y can play in bringing science and knowledge, and its record of success in wildlife connectivity, to inform policy in North America and at an international level,” says Laurel.
A key goal of Laurel’s will be to reinforce Y2Y as a trusted resource for decision-makers who want to ensure healthy and resilient lands, waters, wildlife and communities.
Connecting to nature
It is a long-standing connection to nature that has provided a compass for Laurel’s career.
“My passion for environmental issues is rooted in my childhood, as my parents worked for the National Park Service. I grew up in Yosemite National Park in the shadow of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls,” she says.
Now based in Bozeman, Montana, Laurel keeps busy and entertained by her various rescue animals. She enjoys the outdoor activities for which the Northern Rockies are famous — specifically, trail running with her rescue border collie/mutt and Lab/Corgi/mutt who, she admits, sometimes get impatient with her “leisurely running pace.”
Welcome, Laurel!
