A groundbreaking project aiming to establish a 3,400-kilometre wildlife corridor from Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. to Canada’s Yukon has been selected as a finalist for Prince William’s prestigious environmental awards. The initiative, known as the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), has been recognized in the Protect & Restore Nature category of the 2026 Earthshot Prizes.
Y2Y, which is described as one of the largest conservation collaborations in history, seeks to reconnect a vast mountain landscape across Canada and the U.S. to enable wildlife to move freely as they did in the past. The corridor is a crucial habitat for various species, including wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, and endangered mountain caribou, covering approximately 25 million hectares of protected land, slightly larger than the United Kingdom.
Launched as a joint effort between a U.S. non-profit and a Canadian charity in 1993, the initiative was inspired by a wolf named Pluie, who roamed extensively across multiple regions. Conservationists involved in the project realized the necessity of thinking at a larger scale to sustain wildlife populations like Pluie.
Recognizing the impact of climate change on wildlife migration patterns, Y2Y has been instrumental in increasing protected areas within the corridor, collaborating with various partners, including governments, Indigenous nations, private landowners, and scientists. The initiative has facilitated the construction of over 200 wildlife road crossings and played a key role in reviving endangered species like the Klinse-Za caribou herd.
Apart from promoting ecological connectivity, Y2Y has also contributed to human well-being by creating more parklands, reducing wildlife collisions, and preserving clean water sources. Despite the financial challenges, with a single wildlife crossing costing up to $20 million, the initiative’s inclusion as an Earthshot Prize finalist serves as a platform to raise awareness, attract support, and foster global collaboration in addressing common environmental issues.
The Earthshot Prize, established in 2021, aims to recognize and incentivize innovative solutions in five categories to combat climate change and environmental degradation, with ongoing awards planned until 2030.