our impact

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Photo: Alex Popov

helping people and nature thrive

We are on a steadfast mission to connect and protect habitat from Yellowstone in the U.S. to Canada’s Yukon Territory so people and nature can thrive.

And it’s working. See for yourself!

Since 1993, the actions of Y2Y and partners have resulted in a more than 80% increase in key protected area growth.

Without this network of connected, protected areas that give wildlife room to roam, the diversity of plants and animals in ecosystems across the Yellowstone to Yukon region would be far less.

Use the slider to show the before and after

Since 1993, Y2Y and partners have helped advance additional protected areas (shown in dark green on the map above).

Each year, we move closer to achieving our bold mission thanks to our community of supporters and partners. Here are some of the ways we make a difference for people and nature.

habitat

We work with hundreds of partners to make sure wildlife has secure places to call home so they can move, mate, and munch.

protecting core habitat

Our work identifies core wildlife habitat under risk of development and finds ways to protect it. Since 1993, we have increased protected areas by more than 80 percent. This includes supporting three new Indigenous-led conservation efforts.

restoring core habitat

We heal damaged landscapes to increase habitat available for wildlife. We have treated hundreds of acres of land for invasive plant species, decommissioned long stretches of road to restore natural habitat, planted tens of thousands of trees and shrubs, and restored miles upon miles of streams.

connectivity

We help wildlife stay connected and remove barriers to their movement — essential to their ability to survive and thrive.

enhancing connectivity between protected areas

By working with willing property owners, we have helped advance 500,000 acres of private land conservation in key wildlife linkages.

making roads safer for people and animals

Y2Y advocates for infrastructure to keep wildlife connected. With more than 126 existing wildlife underpasses, overpasses, and fencing, the Yellowstone to Yukon region now has more such crossing structures than anywhere else in the world.

communities

We expand our impact by working with and supporting communities and partners across the Yellowstone to Yukon region in their conservation efforts.

investing in the conservation community

We have helped bring more than $60 million of new funding into the Yellowstone to Yukon region to keep conservation moving forward on the ground.

helping people and wildlife share space

We have long supported the proven education programs and tools that keep communities and animals safe, including bear-proof food storage bins, bear spray education, wildlife-friendly fencing, and more.

science, knowledge & policy

We collaborate on and deliver the best available science and/or knowledge to power decision-making and expand understanding of species.

advancing science & knowledge

Y2Y has been referenced in more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles to date. This work guides our collective efforts and provides resources to support our partners’ work.

As a respectful partner, we work continuously to advance shared nature conservation priorities as well as to understand, respect and support local and cultural knowledge and values associated with lands in the Yellowstone to Yukon region. This includes engaging in ethical space dialogues and collaborating with Indigenous governments, people and organizations. Y2Y works where desired and appropriate to amplify Indigenous conservation voices and visions within our partner networks and beyond.

influencing policy for conservation action

Y2Y has engaged in the creation of global guidelines for habitat connectivity, area-based conservation targets such as 30×30, and their use in law and policy implementation.

conservation is collaborative

Y2Y’s impact reaches widely and prominently because we work with others.

Collaborating together since 1993, Y2Y and our more than 735 partners have furthered our mission through proven solutions that have tangible impacts for wildlife, people, and wild places.

Partner with us

what happens when we succeed

At 3,400 kilometers (2,100 miles) long, the Yellowstone to Yukon region’s transboundary landscapes present an array of challenges and opportunities to support and sustain: