You made a conservation milestone possible

Thank you for protecting the Kootenay Forest Lands

Somewhere in southeastern B.C.’s Elk Valley, a grizzly bear follows a creek in an old growth forest, through land that will never be subdivided, logged, or lost… because of you.

The stunning Elk Valley has been home to grizzly bears, bighorn sheep and lynx for centuries. And key parcels of land called the Kootenay Forest Lands project, located within the homelands of the Ktunaxa Nation, are now protected for generations to come.

The Elk Valley is an important passageway that helps grizzly bears move between Banff National Park and the wildlands of Montana — and ultimately reconnect with the Yellowstone population. It’s also become increasingly squeezed by land development, highways, and mining and forestry operations. Studies show it has the highest death rate for young grizzly bears in North America.

“This project spans ridgetop to ridgetop, and all the way through the Elk Valley bottom. It’s an essential movement corridor for animals coming out of Banff and going south into Montana and Idaho. This is really a pinch point for animals trying to move south and reconnect with their former populations.” Eric Greenwell, Y2Y’s Senior Connectivity Specialist talking about the land’s significance.

For over two decades, Y2Y has worked to preserve the integrity of this keystone region. And when a new opportunity opened up to help protect this critical corridor, Y2Y donors were there.

Last year, Doman Building Materials Group Ltd. Wanted to sell its timberlands in the heart of this region — and conservation groups knew there was a limited window of time to act. The Nature Conservancy of Canada brought together many people and groups to protect the 45,000 hectares (112,000 acres) of ancient forest. When they asked Y2Y for help, it was an easy decision — because of your ongoing generosity, we had immediate access to a pool of funds that could be used to support the land purchase.

The Kootenay Forest Lands, as they’re now called, is one of the largest private land conservation projects in Canadian history.

Thanks to you, this milestone conservation deal protects:

Critical habitat for at-risk species like grizzly bears, badgers, whitebark pine, bull trout, and bighorn sheep.
A vital passageway that allows wildlife to safely move between the US and Canada.
930 kilometers (578 miles) of streams, securing clean water and healthy fisheries across dozens of watersheds.
A rare high-elevation grassland ecosystem considered to be at risk across the region.
Old growth and mature forests that provide ample carbon storage.
The mountain views, outdoor recreation and world class fly fishing, enjoyed by 6,000 local residents.

Your generosity is creating conservation wins south of the border, too.

Three smaller, but significant, private properties in Montana were recently secured. In January, we partnered with a local land trust to secure a conservation easement on the 675-hectare (1667-acre) Indreland Ranch property northwest of Missoula. In December, your support allowed us to purchase the 20-hectare (50-acre) Brock Creek Project, located along the north side of Interstate 90 and adjacent to an existing underpass. We also secured the 49-hectare (120-acre) Nellie Creek Project south of the interstate in a conservation easement.

Each property sits in a Y2Y priority linkage zone along a creek or river drainage that provides natural pathways for wildlife to move safely through the landscape.

From the Kootenay Forest Lands to Nellie Creek, these conservation wins show what’s possible when landowners, land trusts, Indigenous Nations, and donors like you come together.

Thank you for being here with us when it counts.