Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

09/04/2026

We’re pleased to announce Crowsnest Headwaters, the next recipient of Y2Y’s 2026 Partner Grants program. Through their project, Crowsnest Headwaters will undertake GIS mapping of Piikani Nation land and water use in the Crowsnest Pass watershed, including mapping of traditional medicinal plants, spiritual and ceremonial sites, fisheries, and information about fish habitats and seasonal bird migration paths. This research will inform the participation of Piikani officials and citizen conservationists in land use decision making.

Since 1998, Y2Y has invested in grassroots organizations and other groups through our annual partner grants program. This program is made possible through the generous support of the Foundation and individual donors who request their gift be directed to this program. These on-the-ground projects complement the efforts of Y2Y and mobilize work that we wouldn't be able to do on our own. We look forward to reporting back on progress next year. And stay tuned for details on the other recipients.

Learn more about this program at https://buff.ly/bvvEoFG

Photo credit: Bob Costa, courtesy of Crowsnest Headwaters

09/03/2026

Meet everyone’s favourite lynx, Bruce Canowski!

Bruce the puppet lynx has packed his snacks and is travelling across B.C.'s backroads, exploring wild places as he goes .

As part of the Wildly Serious campaign in B.C., Bruce is on a mission to bring the people and organizations who live and work in the province together to advocate for its outdoors.

On the road, he caught a glimpse of the Skeena River and just knew he had to fish. Down on the Bulkley, Bruce ran into Todd Stockner, a fly-fishing guide. Todd told Bruce about what keeps all this salmon coming back and that when we take care of wild spaces, there's spaces for everyone to thrive. This lynx has stories to tell — don't miss the next one!

Follow allow with Bruce's adventures: https://buff.ly/lEto2vB

Photo credit: Shot in the Dark Productions

09/03/2026

Meet the next recipient of Y2Y’s Partner Grants program, the ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation. The people of the ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation are one of six Ktunaxa Bands living in their traditional, unceded territory in Windermere, B.C.

The Ktunaxa people have been caring for and relying upon lands in the Columbia Lake East Side since time immemorial. Through the Columbia Lake kwiǂqǂi Stewardship Project, they will collect ecological data and gather Ktunaxa traditional knowledge to inform evidence-based management for the declining Columbia Lake bighorn sheep herd. This project will contribute to long-term connectivity, resilience, and recovery of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep across the Y2Y region.

Since 1998, Y2Y has invested in grassroots organizations and other groups through our annual partner grants program. This program is made possible through the generous support of the Foundation and individual donors who request their gift be directed to this program. These on-the-ground projects complement the efforts of Y2Y and mobilize work that we wouldn't be able to do on our own. We look forward to reporting back on progress next year. And stay tuned for details on the other recipients.

Learn more about this program at https://buff.ly/bvvEoFG

Photo credit: Shutterstock

09/01/2026

The next generation of storytellers will play an important role in shaping a future where people and nature can thrive together.

Earlier this year, Y2Y partnered with students in the Digital Design program at the Vancouver Film School, inviting three student teams to develop creative concepts that could inspire more people to care about wildlife connectivity and the importance of protecting the Yellowstone to Yukon region.

Over an intensive seven-week project, students worked from a real-world brief, pitching their ideas, refining their concepts with feedback, and presenting their final work. The results were imaginative, thoughtful and inspiring.

Explore their projects here: https://buff.ly/uJV6VTR

08/27/2026

Brynlea is an artist-virtual YouTuber who loves exploring technology, artistic expression, and how to live sustainably with nature

Earlier this summer, Y2Y’s donor relations manager Robin Forsyth joined Brynlea in her livestream to talk about the work behind the scenes of wildlife crossings, protected areas, and how artists are leading the charge in conservation.

We sat down with Brynlea to learn more about why she chose to support Y2Y, and the role she believes artists can play in protecting wild places.

Read the interview here: https://buff.ly/xAmUBZH

Photo credit: Brynlea

08/25/2026

The biggest, wildest place you’ve never heard of could be protected forever.

Spanning an area approximately the size of Vancouver Island in northwest B.C., Dene K’éh Kusān (which means “Always Will Be There” in Kaska) is the largest intact, unprotected wild landscape in the province.

The Kaska Dena have stewarded these lands for generations and their vision for Dene K’éh Kusān offers a path to protect wildlife, clean water, and cultural values while creating lasting opportunities for recreation, tourism, and Indigenous stewardship.

Sign the petition showing decision makers you want this place protected:

Over 3 million hectares of jaw-dropping natural beauty and grandeur. This is British Columbia’s largest intact wilderness. In this area there are no clear cuts, no power lines—there’s not even a road. It’s one of the biggest, wildest places left on earth. And right now, there’s a rare oppo...

08/24/2026

Lights, camera, action! Our summer newsletter is hot off the press and full of rising stars.

From protecting one of British Columbia’s last intact wild places to a travelling lynx and a new generation of storytellers, this edition of Connections celebrates the people, places, and wildlife that make the Yellowstone to Yukon region extraordinary.

Grab your popcorn, press play, and get ready to be inspired — we appreciate your help keeping nature connected.

Read the newsletter here:

From protecting one of British Columbia’s last intact wild places to a travelling lynx and a new generation of storytellers, this edition of Connections celebrates the people, places, and wildlife that make the Yellowstone to Yukon region extraordinary.

08/12/2026

You can make Dene K’éh Kusān a reality. Protect British Columbia’s largest intact wilderness. Join 30,000 others — one signature for every 100 hectares — and add your name to protect it for good.

Over 3 million hectares of jaw-dropping natural beauty and grandeur. This is British Columbia’s largest intact wilderness. In this area there are no clear cuts, no power lines—there’s not even a road. It’s one of the biggest, wildest places left on earth. And right now, there’s a rare oppo...

07/30/2026

Picture 3 million hectares (7.4 million acres) of intact wilderness close to the border of Yukon Territory in northern B.C. This is Dene K’éh Kusān (pronounced Den-ah Kay Ku-sawn). In the language of the Kaska Dena it means “Always Will Be There.”

Kaska have cared for these lands for thousands of years. And they have a plan to protect it for thousands of years more.

Complete the B.C. government survey before August 4 to tell them you support the Kaska’s vision.

Find sample comments at the link to make it quick and easy — copy, customize, and submit in a few minutes:

Right now, the BC government is deciding whether or not to protect some of the most spectacular wilderness in Canada. Will you give 10 minutes of your time before August 4 to urge the BC government to protect the biggest, wildest part of northern BC?The Kaska First Nations have spent years developin...

07/29/2026

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