Reflections on 2024 from Y2Y President and Chief Scientist, Dr. Jodi Hilty
The first 30 years of the Yellowstone to Yukon vision have taught us many lessons. Above all, we’ve learned the value of building meaningful partnerships across a spectrum of people, communities, and political perspectives. We also know that realizing this vision depends on persistence and the thoughtful, often small actions of people like you and me.
The results of our collective efforts have been significant.
Since 1993, we’ve seen protected areas created at twice the rate of the rest of North America, with much larger average sizes. Overall protection in the Yellowstone to Yukon region has increased by more than 80 percent!
In 2024, we saw major strides in Indigenous-led protected areas and in the conservation and connection of critical habitats, wildlife corridors, and freshwater sources — protecting landscapes essential to diverse cultures and livelihoods.
With 177 wildlife crossings now in place across the Yellowstone to Yukon region and many more in the works, we are making some of the busiest roads safer for both people and wildlife.
Through close collaboration with landowners, Indigenous nations, ranchers, governments, companies, and communities, we’re helping animals like bears to move freely between protected areas, avoiding things like garbage, fruit, and livestock that can lead to conflict.
It’s about creating safer, more connected landscapes for wildlife and the people who live alongside them. And we’ve learned that for both people and nature to thrive, conservation must happen at every level — and be embedded in government planning.
Even during these times of uncertainty in our world, it’s heartening to know that we’re still making progress for nature and people — both big and small steps both. Major decisions like new parks or investments in wildlife crossings may grab the most attention, but they’re only possible because of the thousands of smaller actions we take every day.
This report shows how far we’ve come by working together, from local to global initiatives, and making nature conservation a priority. I’m excited about what we can accomplish together in the years to come.
In celebrating our successes over the last year — and the past 30 years — we celebrate people like you: who advocate for nature, steward landscapes, choose to give wildlife space, and support our work through donations, support, and action when it matters most.
The Y2Y vision inspires and unites us, and together, the Y2Y community creates lasting change. Thank you for being an essential part of each step of this conservation journey.
