Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

2023 Montana Outdoor Recreation Summit | Butte, MT
2023-10-11 - 2023-10-13
The 2023 Montana Outdoor Recreation Summit 2023 is taking place in Butte, Montana from Oct. 11-13, 2023. The event is co-hosted by the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, and Montana Access Project.

This multi-day event is dedicated to exploring the conservation, economic, and social aspects of outdoor recreation in Montana. Topics for discussion include the importance of preserving our natural resources for future generations, examining the economic impacts of outdoor recreation.

The program will include live panels, dynamic guest speakers, workshops, field tours, a film festival, and more.

International Symposium on Conservation Impact | Denver, CO
2023-10-11 - 2023-10-12
The Salazar Center for North American Conservation’s is hosting its 5th Annual International Symposium on Conservation Impact, taking place in Denver, Colorado from Oct. 11-12, 2023.

The Salazar Center’s annual symposia convenes a community of conservation leaders and provides a forum where scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and funders can explore new partnerships and approaches to the conservation challenges we face in North America.

The event will feature keynote presentations, curated panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions to facilitate honest dialogue around this year’s theme: Nature-positive solutions.

Mega-Eco Project Symposium Philadelphia, PA
2023-10-05 09:30 - 18:00 (America/Denver)
Y2Y’s chief scientist and executive director, Dr. Jodi Hilty, is presenting at the 2023 Mega-Eco Project Symposium at the University of Pennsylvania on October 5, 2023.
Esteemed project leaders and scholars will join Dr. Jodi Hilty in discussing some of the world’s largest ecological restoration endeavors during this public symposium, which will also feature keynote speakers, project presentations, and panel discussions.

Corridor Connect: Ecology and Economy for a Better Florida | Orlando, FL
2023-09-26 - 2023-09-28
Y2Y’s Dr. Jodi Hilty will be a speaker at the 2023 Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation Corridor Connect conference. The event will combine ecology and economy for three extraordinary days of networking, solution-building, and strategy development aimed at shaping a better future for Florida.

Corridor Connect will bring together leaders from business, conservation and government to identify solutions for balancing Florida’s growth with the protection of our most at-risk resource — the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Attendance is by invitation only, but requests may be submitted.

2023 Association Of Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual meeting | Calgary, AB
2023-09-23 - 2023-09-27
The 113th annual meeting of Association Of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is taking place in Calgary, Alberta from Sept. 23 to 27, 2023.

This annual event provides a forum for conservation leadership and brings together more than 700 leaders from fish and wildlife agencies and conservation groups from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico in order to discuss conservation policy and management issues and accomplishments.

Attendees include key decision-makers in the field of fish and wildlife, including; directors, assistant directors, program managers, and others involved in fisheries, wildlife habitat, law enforcement, legal affairs, industry, as well as public affairs, including information and education.

Y2Y will be presenting on transboundary coordination to advance safe wildlife passage across major highways in the Yellowstone to Yukon region and human-wildlife conflict. See more plenaries, workshops and sessions in the event schedule.

A night for nature in the Bow Valley | Y2Y trivia night fundraiser
2023-06-15 18:00 - 21:00
Love nature, the Bow Valley community, supporting conservation, and maybe even a good craft brew?

On June 15, come out and support Y2Y’s work to connect and protect the wildlife and wild spaces like the ones that make the Bow Valley so special.

Join us at the Wood Restaurant in Canmore, Alberta for an evening of nature conservation trivia games, good company, food and drinks — all for a good cause.

Tickets are available by donation to Y2Y (suggested donation of $5 per person.) All proceeds from ticket purchases go to Y2Y. Your support is appreciated!

Advanced registration is required to reserve seats. Seatings are available at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Please choose your seating time when registering.

Calgary-based Screaming Retriever Brewing Company’s Kananaskis IPA beer will be on special, with a portion of sales going to Y2Y’s work.

This is a family-friendly event! To add to the fun, the outdoor side patio is dog-friendly, so feel free to reserve your spot on the patio and bring your furry friend, too.

Why support Y2Y’s work in the Bow Valley and beyond?

The Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) Conservation Initiative has its roots in the Bow Valley, having formed in the early 1990s. Today we are still based out of Canmore, with amazing work being done by team members across the region from Yellowstone to the Yukon.

The Bow Valley sits at the heart of the 3,400-kilometre-long Yellowstone to Yukon region — a stretch of intact mountain landscapes and ecosystems that are home to a myriad of wildlife from grizzly bears, caribou and wolverine; as well as many diverse communities, including at least 75 Indigenous territories.

Y2Y works to connect and protect landscapes across this important region so both people and nature can thrive. We highlight and focus on local issues — from wildlife crossings to coexistence with wildlife — that have implications for the region, and work with partners to stitch together this landscape. You are a critical part of this wild movement!

Dene K'éh Kusān: Always Will Be There | Film and discussion with Y2Y and Dena Kayeh Institute
2023-05-25 19:00 - 20:30
On Thursday, May 25, join us to learn how the Kaska Dena have, and continue to steward and protect Dene K’éh Kusān for all to experience, honor, and sustain, for generations to come.

Imagine a remarkable, intact wild place, abundant with grizzly bears, elk and caribou. A place where you can walk ancient Indigenous trails for weeks without meeting another soul. Somewhere both people and wildlife can thrive for generations to come.

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) and Dena Kayeh Institute invite you to explore this incredible vision for Kaska lands, people, culture and way of life through Dene K’éh Kusān (pronounced “deh-nay kay koo-sahn”), which means ‘The People’s Way, Always.’

Located in the core of the Kaska Ancestral Territory in northern British Columbia, Dene K’éh Kusān — a proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) — also adds an important puzzle piece to the Yellowstone to Yukon region.

Join us on May 25 for a screening of the 24-minute documentary, Dene K’éh Kusān: Always Will Be There, followed by a discussion on the plan to protect this special, and important place for generations to come — and how you can help support these Indigenous-led conservation efforts.

Following the film screening, we will learn more about the plan for Dene K’éh Kusān from four speakers:

Gillian Staveley, director of culture and land stewardship, Dena Kayeh Institute
Tanya Ball (Dahkadle), coordinator for the Dane Nan Yḗ Dāh (Kaska Land Guardians) Network, Dena Kayeh Institute
Tim Burkhart, landscape protection manager, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
Norm MacLean, senior wildlife biologist, LGL Limited, and technical advisor, Dena Kayeh Institute

Gillian Staveley, Tanya Ball and Norm MacLean who will share more about the Kaska Dena vision for how this incredible landscape will always be there, and how they are working with partners to protect Dene K’éh Kusān in a way that creates jobs, supports a thriving Kaska culture, shelters threatened species and becomes a world-class protected area for future generations.

Y2Y’s Tim Burkhart will also discuss how Y2Y is working with the Dena Kayeh Institute on advancing this proposed IPCA; and how we can all be allies in achieving the Kaska Dena’s plan for Dene K’éh Kusān.

This free event will take place online on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. PT / 7 – 8:30 p.m. MT. The webinar will be recorded, though we encourage you to attend the live event if you can. Register for free to save your spot.

About the speakers

Gillian Staveley, director of culture and land stewardship, Dena Kayeh Institute

Gillian Staveley is a Kaska Dena citizen whose heritage lies in the Muncho Lake region of Dena Kēyeh in Northern British Columbia. Gillian is passionate about promoting and educating others about the importance of multi-generational indigenous knowledge. In her work as a director for DKI, a Kaska-run non-for-profit and charitable organization, she helps tell the story of Kaska Stewardship within her traditional territory and works to ensure that relationships with her people and the land are done so through UNDRIP’s obligations and commitments.

Tanya Ball (Dahkadle), coordinator for the Dane Nan Yḗ Dāh (Kaska Land Guardians) Network, Dena Kayeh Institute

Tanya is a proud member of both the Kaska and Tahltan First Nations. Her love for the land and for learning from her elders about culture, language and traditional knowledge has directed her studies and guided a career path which focusses on helping to advance the Indigenous Guardians movement and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Tanya’s post-secondary education includes Certification in Earth and Environmental studies, Applied Environmental Techniques, Environmental Site Assessment Assistant Training, Advanced GIS, and the Boreal Guardian Program at Dechinta University.

Tanya currently works with the Dena Kayeh Institute as a Natural Resource Technician and guardian coordinator for the Dane Nan Yḗ Dāh Kaska land guardian program. She also works with the 3 Nations (Tahltan, Kaska, Taku River Tlingit) Society as the 3 Nations land guardian coordinator. Tanya brings front-line experience, deeply ingrained Kaska values, and a clearly articulated Indigenous perspective to her responsibilities representing the Kaska Nation at various public government management boards, advocacy forums and tables addressing policy matters and influencing decisions being made about the land and resources within the Kaska traditional territory.

She relishes being with young people on the land and leads with energy, commitment and passion in her work developing and coordinating the Kaska guardian program. Tanya continues to be excited by the opportunity to grow the data they collect and to work with the youth and elders, whose collective efforts she believes will provide a major contribution to the Kaska vision of realizing their goal to be the decision -makers guiding and shaping the future of their homelands for generations to come.

Norm MacLean, senior wildlife biologist, LGL Limited, and technical advisor, Dena Kayeh Institute

Norm MacLean, is a wildlife biologist with over 34 years of professional experience in Alaska, Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Yukon Territory. Prior to joining LGL Limited in 2002, Norm worked with provincial and territorial environmental agencies in northwestern British Columbia, and in the Northwest Territories. Norm has had the privilege of working for Dena Kayeh Institute, Kaska Dena communities and Kaska organizations for over twenty years. In addition, Norm has been working with the 3 Nations Society (Kaska, Tahltan, and Taku River Tlingit Nations) and member Nations.

Norm has experience on terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife habitats in boreal forests including woodland caribou, moose, bears, and wolves. He has been involved on the advancement of wildlife co-governance, co-management, information sharing, and joint decision-making agreements and applications of indigenous laws, principles, knowledge and practices. He has provided support for Kaska initiatives including guardian programs and the Dene Kʼéh Kusān – Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area.

Tim Burkhart, director of landscape protection, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Tim has a lifelong love of wild places, and has experience in political organizing, park management, and research. Prior to joining the Y2Y team, Tim was committed to driving positive change as an organizer for multiple political, non-profit and labor campaigns.

As landscape protection director at Y2Y, Tim supports Indigenous-led conservation, working with local communities, scientists, government, industry and other interested parties to conserve biodiversity and wildlife connectivity in the Yellowstone to Yukon region. He advocates for conservation solutions in provincial policy initiatives, engaging with decision makers on ecological legislation and policy campaigns.

Tim lives in Nanaimo, B.C., with his partner Zoe, and dogs Mickey and Pippin.

About the film

“The Dena Kayeh Institute (DKI) is proud to bring together our communities, friends, and supporters, to share in Kaska storytelling with Dene K’éh Kusān, Always Will Be There.

Through this film, we hope to introduce the world to Dene K’éh Kusān, and to our people, culture, and our way of life. All are anchored to the land.

Narrated by DKI’s President, Kaska Elder, and well-known Indigenous Leader, Dave Porter, Always Will Be There shares the Kaska Dena vision for how we can protect and care for four million hectares of land and water — the largest remaining intact landscape in British Columbia.

Dene Kʼéh Kusān is at the very epicentre of our traditional territory, where you won’t find any roads or powerlines, but you can feel the heartbeat of our people in the boreal forests, in the towering mountains, and in the confluences of the rivers.

The Kaska Dena have cared for these lands and waters since time immemorial. Now, we are drawing on Kaska knowledge and stewardship to protect Dene Kʼéh Kusān for all to experience, honour, and sustain, for future generations.”

Header photo: Courtesy of Dena Kayeh Institute

Biophilic Cities Pathways: A conversation with Dr. Jodi Hilty | Virtual
2023-05-23 13:00 - 14:00
Please RSVP May 23 at 3pm ET/1pm MT as Y2Y’s Dr. Jodi Hilty joins Biophilic Cities executive director Tim Beatley and advisory board member Nina-Marie Lister for a conversation about Y2Y’s mission of connecting wild lands in harmony with the people of the region.

This event is free, online and open the public.

More about the event host, Biophilic Cities:

Biophilic Cities partners with a network cities, scholars, and advocates from across the globe to build an understanding of the value and contribution of nature in cities to the lives of urban residents. As a central element of its work, Biophilic Cities facilitates a global network of partner cities working collectively to pursue the vision of a natureful city within their unique and diverse environments and cultures. Network partners are working in concert to conserve and celebrate nature in all its forms and the many important ways in which cities and their inhabitants benefit from the biodiversity and wild urban spaces present in cities. Biophilic Cities acknowledges the importance of daily contact with nature as an element of a meaningful urban life, as well as the ethical responsibility that cities have to conserve global nature as shared habitat for non-human life and people.

The Innovation Station: Rocky Mountains | Virtual
2023-05-11 13:00 - 15:00
Join Y2Y’s Dr. Jodi Hilty and Ngaio Richards, forensics and field specialist, for Working Dogs for Conservation at The Innovation Station, an event hosted by the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State. Dr. Hilty will discuss innovations in habitat restoration, among other topics relevant to the Yellowstone to Yukon region and mission.

The Innovation Station amplifies woman and girl innovators developing solutions to climate-related challenges and builds relationships between those innovators and communities that could benefit from their work.

This event is free and open to the public.

1:00 PM ET – Welcome & Opening Remarks • Diana Berecz, Director, BALATORIUM (Opening Remarks) • Aubrey Paris, Gender, Climate & Innovation Policy Advisor, Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State (Moderator)

1:10 – Innovations in Outdoor Recreation • Sarah Murray, Executive Director, Free to Run • Brittany Leavitt, CEO, Brown Girls Climb

1:45 – Innovations in Habitat Restoration • Jodi Hilty, President & Chief Scientist, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative • Ngaio Richards, Forensics & Field Specialist, Working Dogs for Conservation

2:20 – Innovations in Mineral Resources • Gina D’Amato, Executive Director, Alliance for Responsible Mining • Cristina Villegas, Co-Founder, Moyo Gems

Y2Y + National Museum of Wildlife Art: Interactive art show with sculptor George Bumann
2023-04-20 17:00 - 19:00
An evening of canines, cake pops and conservation
Have you ever wondered how wildlife artists get inspired? How does their artistic journey with wildlife and nature begin? How do they weave a story into the art they are creating?
Now is your chance to experience an artistic journey that follows the story of one of Yellowstone’s most famous wolves.
On April 20, professional sculptor George Bumann will lead a live, interactive sculpture demonstration at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
Watch as your input gets woven into an evolving sculpture — right before your eyes. Get a glimpse of the artist’s process. Learn how our personal experiences with wild landscapes and the power of art connects us deeply to the places we love; and how we can work together to protect them.
Scott Brennan, Y2Y’s senior director of conservation programs, will also share how art can open the conversation that leads to conservation.
This event is free and registration is not required. Doors will open at 5 p.m. MT and attendees can enjoy a cash bar and free cake pops. The interactive show will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.
The King Gallery will be open for the duration of the event, and attendees are encouraged to explore the current exhibition, For the Love of Canines.
About the artist
George Bumann (rhymes with ‘human’) is a professional sculptor living with his wife, young son, and black Labrador Hobbes, at Yellowstone Park’s northern entrance in Gardiner, Montana. A life-long observer of nature, Bumann holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in wildlife ecology and has worked in the fields of wildlife research, taxidermy, back-country guiding, environmental consulting and has taught art and natural history programs for youth, adult, and university audiences for over three decades.
Bumann’s work can be found in collections and exhibits throughout the United States and around the globe. His sculptures reside in the permanent collections of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Brinton Museum in Big Horn, Wyoming, the Booth Museum of Western Art in Cartersville, GA, and the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. George’s art and educational outreach have been featured in publications such as the Salt Lake City Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Sacramento Bee, and on television, radio, and online through the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and Tedx Bozeman.
He is currently writing a book on the topic of animal language with Greystone Press.

UNDRIP and You | Virtual Event
2023-04-13 10:30 - 11:30
The governments of Canada and B.C. have adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as their framework for reconciliation. But what does this mean for your organization and its work?

Nonprofits, foundations, and local governments have important roles to play in advancing UNDRIP. Join Y2Y’s Nadine Raynolds, Tara Marsden/Naxginkw, UNDRIP fellow, Real Estate Foundation of B.C. and Michelle Bryant-Gravelle, senior director, Indigenous Relations for the City of Vancouver for this free panel discussion to hear from organizations on journeys of learning and action to respect Indigenous rights.

Speakers

Tara Marsden/Naxginkw — Fellow, UNDRIP, Real Estate Foundation of B.C.
Michelle Bryant-Gravelle — Senior Director, Indigenous Relations, City of Vancouver
Nadine Raynolds — Manager, Communities and Conservation, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Welcome: Mavis Underwood — Governor, Real Estate Foundation of B.C. Moderator: Sherry Yano — Director, Grants and Community Engagement, Real Estate Foundation of B.C.

Webinar details

April 13, 2023, 10:30 a.m. Pacific
Online. Free, with registration
This webinar will be recorded. Please register to receive the recording after the event.

Presented by the Real Estate Foundation of B.C. and Hlimoo Sustainable Solutions

From Yellowstone to Yukon: Making the Case for Large Landscape Conservation | Facebook livestream
2020-03-30 12:00 - 13:00
Dr. Aerin Jacob will be presenting on and discussing large landscape conservation and Y2Y’s work at York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies seminar series Interdisciplinary conservation in Canada.

This event will be live-streamed and recorded. 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. MST

Making the Case for Large Landscape Conservation: Yellowstone to Yukon | Princeton, NJ
2020-02-24 12:00 - 13:00
Join Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative’s president and chief scientist as she discusses large landscape conservation and Y2Y’s work at Princeton University’s Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment at the Woodrow Wilson School.

This event is free and open to the public, RSVP required.

Making the Case for Large Landscape Conservation: Yellowstone to Yukon | Madison, WI
2020-02-13 16:15 - 17:15
Join Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative’s president and chief scientist as she discusses large landscape conservation and Y2Y’s work at University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Weston Roundtable Series.

This event is free and open to the public.
