Communities and wildlife thrive when the needs of both are met. Y2Y engages a wide range of communities for solutions that benefit nature and people. This includes working with residents and decision-makers to support key planning decisions, partnering with recreation and tourism organizations to limit impacts of their industries, and collaborating with local communities to listen, learn, and implement solutions that promote human–wildlife coexistence.
communities & conservation
our impact
Invested more than $60 million in new community conservation funding across the region to support local projects
Key
Yellowstone to Yukon region
Protected areas
our impact
Currently in the Yellowstone to Yukon region, Indigenous communities and governments manage or co-manage more than 25% of existing protected lands including examples in Yukon and Northwest Territories
Key
Yellowstone to Yukon region
Peel watershed in Yukon Territory
Nahanni and Náátsʼihchʼoh National Park Reserve of Northwest Territories
our impact
Reduced wildlife—human conflict by helping partners install 37 bear-proof food storage lockers in campgrounds within the Selkirk grizzly bear recovery zone
Key
Yellowstone to Yukon region
Selkirk grizzly bear recovery zone
together, we are:
improving management of recreation
to minimize impact on nature while supporting people to enjoy the places and activities they love.
cultivating respect and inclusion
where Indigenous knowledge, relationships, and cultural ties to nature are acknowledged, supported, and shared.
promoting coexistence
to help mountain communities understand, embrace, and adopt practices that promote harmonious coexistence with wildlife.
guiding decision-making
in planning development that limits sprawl, prioritizes wildlife connectivity, and supports communities that are in harmony with nature and social well-being.
featured success stories
Bear tracks to coexistence
Across the Yellowstone to Yukon region, we’re helping mountain communities understand, embrace, and expand practices that promote safety, coexistence and harmony between people and wildlife.
Embracing a bright future together: Southwestern Albertans lead the way to sustainability
Learn about the ways people in southwest Alberta’s communities are embracing nature-positive growth.
Exploring Ethical Space: Supporting land-based reconciliation across the landscape together
Get to know more about how Y2Y’s Ethical Space series started and how we’re working to foster inclusive spaces for Indigenous-led conservation in the Yellowstone to Yukon region.
Sustaining healthy communities and landscapes
Exploring Ethical Space to deepen understanding of Indigenous Peoples’ worldviews.
‘Buffalo brings people together’
The Iniskim, Return of the Buffalo puppet lantern show came to Canmore on August 11. Get a glimpse of the evening and the significance of the story behind it.
A roadmap for nature-positive economic development in southwest Alberta
A new report shares ways in which communities in southwest Alberta can diversify local economies while supporting nature.
How do communities in bear country minimize conflicts?
For many living in the Yellowstone to Yukon region the phrases ‘bear-safe’, ‘bear-smart’, ‘bear-wise’, and ‘wildlife-wise’ are familiar. But what does it mean to have a community coexist harmoniously and minimize conflicts with bears, especially grizzlies?
