Conservation Group Named Earthshot Prize Finalist
The Yellowstone to Yukon initiative is recognized for its work maintaining a 3,400-kilometer ecological corridor.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Wildlife
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The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative is a finalist for the 2026 Earthshot Prize. This Canadian organization is recognized for its work maintaining a 3,400-kilometer ecological corridor across the Rocky Mountain Range.
Why it matters
Protecting these corridors is critical for biodiversity as habitat fragmentation from road building and urban development poses a significant risk to wildlife. Conserved forests in this region also play a major role in climate mitigation by absorbing large amounts of carbon emissions.
The initiative has protected 25 million hectares of habitat over 30 years and maintains over 800 professional relationships. Its efforts help preserve land where forests absorb 83 percent of Canada's annual passenger-vehicle emissions.
The players
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
A Canadian-headquartered organization that manages a 3,400-kilometer ecological corridor to protect biodiversity.
Jodi Hilty
A lead official representing the conservation group at the Earthshot Prize ceremony.
Earthshot Prize
An international environmental award program founded in 2020 to recognize global conservation efforts.
The details
The organization uses computer modelling to identify and protect alpine snow areas critical for wolverine denning, which are increasingly threatened by earlier snowmelt. By building partnerships with First Nations and local communities, they integrate scientific findings into land-use planning to create contiguous wildlife paths. This approach connects habitats from the Yellowstone ecosystem to the Yukon Territory, mitigating the impacts of resource extraction.
Timeline
1991: The Y2Y initiative began following the tracking of a wolf named Pluie.
2020: The Earthshot Prize was founded.
November 17, 2026: Jodi Hilty attends the Earthshot Prize Gala in Mumbai.
The Home Front
This recognition highlights the global trend of prioritizing large-scale ecological connectivity over fragmented local conservation strategies. It reflects a growing institutional focus on protecting carbon-dense landscapes as a pillar of long-term environmental stability.
Homeowners interested in biodiversity can research local land-use planning recommendations to support regional ecological corridors. Maintaining native vegetation in large-lot properties contributes to the broader health of these interconnected wildlife habitats.
The takeaway
Large-scale habitat protection relies on the successful integration of scientific data into local community planning. Supporters can track the progress of these ecological corridors by reviewing local land-use planning committee reports.
What happens next
Jodi Hilty will attend the Earthshot Prize Gala on November 17, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about conservation efforts in the Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by National Observer.
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