A groundbreaking project aiming to establish a vast wildlife corridor spanning from Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. to Canada’s Yukon has been named one of the top three finalists for Prince William’s prestigious annual 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, with a total of 15 finalists announced across various categories.
Described as one of the most significant conservation collaborations in history, Y2Y seeks to reconnect a vast mountainous landscape in Canada and the U.S. to facilitate the free movement of wildlife, including wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, and endangered mountain caribou. The corridor currently encompasses 25 million hectares of protected land, slightly larger than the United Kingdom.
Established in 1993 as a joint effort between a U.S. non-profit organization and a Canadian charity, Y2Y was inspired by the remarkable journey of a wolf named Pluie, who roamed through vast territories across multiple states and provinces. The project aims to address the challenges posed by habitat fragmentation and climate change, enabling animals to migrate to more suitable areas as temperatures rise.
Over the past three decades, Y2Y has expanded protected areas within the corridor, collaborating with 800 partners, including governments, Indigenous communities, private landowners, and scientists. The initiative has facilitated the construction of over 200 wildlife road crossings and played a crucial role in the conservation efforts to revive endangered species like the Klinse-Za caribou herd.
Apart from benefiting wildlife, Y2Y has also had positive impacts on people, such as providing additional parkland for recreation and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. Furthermore, the initiative contributes to carbon absorption and the preservation of clean water resources in the region.
While the $1.9-million Earthshot Prize may not cover the full costs of implementing necessary measures like wildlife crossings, winning the award could raise awareness of Y2Y’s mission and attract support from individuals and organizations worldwide. The recognition from the Earthshot team is seen as a valuable opportunity to expand the initiative’s reach and collaborate with global partners addressing similar environmental challenges.
The Earthshot Prize, established in 2021, aims to drive innovation in combating climate change and addressing environmental issues, with a focus on categories like Protect & Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-free World, and Fix Our Climate. The award program is set to continue until 2030, supporting initiatives that contribute to a sustainable future for the planet.