Imagine if wolves, elk, and various other wildlife could traverse protected regions stretching from Yellowstone National Park in the United States to the Yukon in Canada. A groundbreaking initiative aimed at establishing a colossal 3,400-kilometre habitat corridor has been recognized as the first Canadian finalist for Prince William’s prestigious annual environmental awards.
The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) has been selected as one of three finalists revealed today in the Protect & Restore Nature category of the 2026 Earthshot Prizes. Overall, 15 finalists were declared across five categories, with each category winner receiving £1 million (approximately $1.9 million CAD), to be presented in a ceremony in Mumbai this November.
The Earthshot Prize recognized Y2Y as “one of the largest conservation collaborations in history, reconnecting an extensive mountain landscape throughout Canada and the U.S. to enable wildlife to move freely as they have for centuries.”
This corridor supports various large mammals, including wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, and the endangered mountain caribou. It currently encompasses 25 million hectares of protected land, an area slightly larger than the United Kingdom.
Initiated in 1993, Y2Y began as a collaborative effort between U.S. and Canadian entities, spearheaded by a U.S. non-profit organization along with a Canadian charity. (The Canadian organization is the one recognized as the Earth Prize finalist.)
This map illustrates the region the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative aims to safeguard, along with the areas already under protection. (Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative)
Inspired by a wolf named Pluie
The initiative draws inspiration from a wolf named Pluie, who was equipped with a satellite tracking collar near Banff National Park in 1991. Over a span of two years, she roamed more than 100,000 square kilometres across three U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and three national parks.
According to Jodi Hilty, president and chief scientist of the initiative, conservationists began to understand that although protected areas are vital, “they are not enough; in order to sustain animals like Pluie the wolf, we must consider the scale that nature requires.”
Climate migration route
At that time, conservationists were also aware that due to climate change and rising temperatures, animals (and plants) would need to migrate northward and to higher altitudes — and they would do so if given the chance. The challenge was that many were confined to isolated, fragmented habitats.
Hilty emphasized, “Our efforts aim to address that issue.”
Over the last thirty years, Y2Y has made significant strides, increasing protected areas within the corridor from nine percent to nearly 18 percent, collaborating with 800 partners, including governments, Indigenous nations, private landowners, and scientists. The initiative has also facilitated the creation of over 200 wildlife road crossings and partnered with Indigenous groups in B.C. to revive the Klinse-Za caribou herd from the brink of extinction.
Scientists from across the country have gathered in Banff to discuss the importance of preserving wildlife corridors and how Canadians can engage in these efforts locally.
Hilty noted that the initiative has also benefited people, providing more parkland for recreation and decreasing vehicle collisions through wildlife crossings. She mentioned that protected lands significantly contribute to carbon absorption and aid in the preservation and restoration of clean water in the area.
The initiative has numerous additional protected areas and crossings currently in development.
What could the funding achieve?
Hilty acknowledged that even if the initiative wins against other finalists from Australia and Bhutan to secure the $1.9 million Earthshot Prize, the funds will not stretch very far — as a single wildlife overpass or underpass can cost as much as $20 million.
Grizzly bears are among the large animals that require extensive connected habitats. (Eric Johnston)
However, she pointed out that recognition from the Earthshot team could help amplify the initiative’s narrative, attract more participants to the cause, and connect them with resources and organizations globally that are confronting similar issues, including previous winners from regions like the Amazon rainforest.
“We share many commonalities,” Hilty remarked. “The fundamental challenges remain the same: habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and difficulties in coexisting with wildlife that can be hard to live alongside.”
Since 2021, the Earthshot Prize has been awarded annually in five categories: Protect & Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive Our Oceans; Build a Waste-free World; and Fix Our Climate. Its aim is to encourage innovation to combat climate change and resolve environmental problems. The awards are expected to continue until 2030.