Honoring Karsten Heuer’s legacy
In June of 1998, a young biologist, Karsten Heuer, set out on foot to travel 2,100 miles (3,400 kilometers) from Yellowstone National Park to the Yukon Territory.
His inspiring 18-month journey brought global attention and support to the vision of a connected landscape where wildlife could roam freely. Karsten wasn’t just walking — he was proving the Yellowstone to Yukon vision was possible.
Karsten passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024. We were deeply saddened to lose an inspirational leader and mentor, and one of our dearest friends.
As a champion of conservation and our cause, and an inspirational storyteller, few people embody the vision of Y2Y as fully as Karsten did. His book Walking the Big Wild captured the possibility and urgency of reconnecting landscapes for wildlife.
As Y2Y’s president from 2013 to 2015, Karsten strengthened conservation throughout the region. He later served as an advisor, finding new ways to progress our work.
He completed more cross-country conservation adventures, like following the Porcupine caribou herd migration as retold in Being Caribou, and paddling across Canada with his partner Leanne Allison and son Zev, detailed in Finding Farley. Karsten also successfully led Parks Canada’s project to reintroduce bison to Banff National Park.
Through every adventure, Karsten told stories that moved people to care.
“Karsten lived his life in motion. He embodied the spirit of Y2Y.”
Harvey Locke, Y2Y co-founder
As Harvey Locke, Y2Y co-founder and Karsten’s long-time friend, says, “Karsten lived his life in motion. He embodied the spirit of Y2Y.”
And it’s true. Karsten lived a full, rich and adventurous life in motion — like the grizzly bears, wolverines and caribou we all care so much about.
The spirit of Y2Y is about more than just land and wildlife. It’s also about people. A connected landscape from Yellowstone to Yukon is possible because people like you believe in it.
Not everyone will trek thousands of miles to document the importance of connected corridors and wild landscapes. Those of us who care will do whatever we can, whether it’s write a letter, give a generous donation, or take a group of kids on a nature walk.
This movement is succeeding because you contribute in a way that’s meaningful to you. Just as Karsten contributed in a way that was meaningful to him.
As Harvey says, “Y2Y is not just about any one person. It’s about the way those of us who love this landscape choose to contribute to its vitality and the shared vision.”
We’re grateful to Karsten and his family for everything he gave to Y2Y and the conservation community.
Karsten Heuer was a biologist, wildlife and landscape defender, storyteller, best-selling author, husband, father, son and friend. We miss him and are honored to share part of his story with you.
