Whether through responsible recreation or helping people and bears to share space safely, our work with diverse communities across the Yellowstone to Yukon region has become a movement for reshaping how people and wildlife interact.
The bear necessities
Grizzly bears are a keystone species with a vital role to play in our ecosystems, and by protecting them, we indirectly help numerous others — both plants and animals, including humans.
Within many of our communities, including for some Indigenous Peoples, they also hold great significance historically and culturally. Grizzly bears are resilient, but they need our help. 2024 is a prime example of the ups and downs bears face, with one being spotted in the Tobacco Root Mountains of Montana — the first sighting in this area for decades — while the famous grizzly bear 399 was killed in Wyoming following a vehicle collision.
This underscores the importance of safe wildlife crossings and bear-smart practices to reconnect isolated grizzly bear populations between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
There are effective social solutions to support their comeback: from ranchers installing electric fencing around livestock, to securing and removing bear attractants, we’re seeing progress in our communities every day. Work to create the right conditions for coexistence and conflict reduction has been in high gear this year, with a focus on living alongside grizzly bears.
A prime Canadian example of this came out of Elk Valley in British Columbia (B.C.), in a region that sees exceptionally high bear mortality rates — half from collisions with road vehicles and trains, and the other half arising from conflicts with people.
Working with local leaders, Y2Y helped form the Elk Valley Coexistence Coalition, a partnership between communities, First Nations, industry, conservation groups, and the provincial government.
To make coexistence more affordable for community members, an electric fencing and fruit tree removal and replacement program was successfully put into action, bear hazard assessments are underway, and the Fernie Trails Alliance is working with local biologists to provide recommendations on how to sustainably manage the Elk Valley’s recreational footprint.
And in the United States we’re a member of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee — a leading voice for the species’ resurgence and conservation. We led discussions at their annual summit which focused on building more ‘bear smart’ communities through engagement and collaboration, with a focus on providing practical advice to help them deal with bear encounters.
There has also been a big push in 2024 to make human-wildlife coexistence and conflict reduction common practice, and across the Yellowstone to Yukon region we’ve identified at least 40 communities where positive steps are being taken to achieve this.
Our guiding message is simple: respecting wildlife and protecting their habitats makes a difference. Everyday actions can have a profound effect on nature’s wellbeing without us even being aware of it, while keeping us safe too.
Upscaling our efforts
Having already invested over $60 million in community conservation projects to date, we’re scaling up our efforts to give communities the support they need to endure over time, including coexistence and conflict reduction efforts.
The main challenge for communities across the Yellowstone to Yukon region is a lack of stable funding and an overarching policy that supports ongoing community action. Our Communities and Conservation team is working closely with our policy specialists to create systemic change that will see human-wildlife coexistence best practices become the norm.
Through our on-the-ground practical advice, we’re empowering communities far and wide, while shining a spotlight on the need for government to increase financial investment.
Measuring our recreational footprint
Y2Y’s collaborative recreation ecology project aims to improve the management and planning of outdoor recreation and reduce impacts to sensitive wildlife across southeast B.C., southwest Alberta, and beyond.
Constructive meetings are being held with provincial and federal governments, Indigenous communities, and leaders in the recreation and research communities, to build up a full picture of the challenges and possible solutions for coexistence at a time when more and more of us are venturing into the wild.
Collaborative research that began in 2019 with the University of Northern British Columbia wrapped up in 2024, thanks to many partners and funders. We have gained valuable insights into this developing field, at a time when its relevancy is greater than ever. Knowledge gaps are being filled with a better understanding of how to navigate human-wildlife interactions in the context of outdoor recreation.
We identified key areas where high-quality wildlife habitat intersects with human activity, focusing on grizzly bears, mountain caribou, and wolverines. By targeting these hotspots, we can help enhance human-wildlife coexistence and reduce conflicts. Our trail data analysis revealed that nearly 30 percent of trails are unregistered in government databases. Improved data is crucial for more effective planning and management.
We can all play our part in implementing solutions. Our data, maps and tools are already informing better practice. Find out how: Responsible recreation in wildlife habitats.
Since 2020, we’ve worked to raise awareness about the impact of recreational activities on wolverines and mountain caribou. Workshops and signage introduced adventurers to these snow-loving species, fostering respect for shared habitats.In 2024, our signs became trusted guides, reminding backcountry explorers of their role in protecting these remarkable creatures. Photo: Mirjam Barrueto, wolverinewatch.org
Shaping policy, expanding perspectives
We’ve shared our recreation ecology project findings and recommendations with hundreds of government officials, land managers, and recreation groups, encouraging changes to benefit both wildlife and people. Our efforts to promote responsible recreation have resonated with thousands of supporters eager to make a positive impact.
Our recreation ecology team presented key research at major parks and land-use planning events, engaging a wide range of professionals, including land planners, Indigenous groups, and biologists. We also connected with recreation organizations through webinars and keynote presentations, where we shared our insights on responsible recreation practices.
We continue to provide advice, resources, and foster relationships with land managers to promote better stewardship and reduce impacts on wildlife in priority areas. BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC are already implementing our recommendations in southeastern B.C., while some of the busiest places in Alberta like Canmore and Kananaskis are adopting innovative coexistence practices.
Parks Canada has been a strong partner in this work, and in 2024, we collaborated with them to align our recommendations with their multi-species action plans, ensuring that recreation doesn’t harm sensitive areas in national parks like Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho.
