You're putting our vision into action
Celebrating 25 years of impact together | A note from Dr. Jodi Hilty
When the idea of an interconnected system of wild lands and waters stretching the 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) between Yellowstone National Park and Canada’s Yukon was proposed in 1993, some people were incredulous.
A vision that big and a mission that bold seemed impossible: linking healthy landscapes, connecting wide-ranging wildlife and an idea that spans five American states, two Canadian provinces, two Canadian territories, and the traditional territories of at least 31 Indigenous groups.
Yet others connected with the concept deeply and were inspired — including me ... and you! When I became Y2Y’s President and Chief Scientist, I was (and remain) excited to continue this grand mission and add to our collective legacy.
And here we are, beginning Y2Y’s 25th year together.
The story of bees, bears — and jumping slugs?
Building habitat one tree, shrub and flower at a time
Thanks to your support, in 2019 we're continuing our partnership with Idaho Fish and Game on a project that will help at least six species adapt to climate change in Idaho and connect people with nature near them.
The Bees to Bears Project has many important wetland restoration goals — including planting 50,000 new trees and shrubs and sowing native wildflowers to help provide shade and food sources.
By doing this, we hope to see benefits to wide-ranging wildlife like the grizzly bears that travel between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges, tiny native bumblebees, and the rare pale jumping slug — all species that need cool air and moist soil to thrive.
How 52 acres make a difference
Protecting habitat for grizzlies and other wildlife in Montana
Thanks to your support, and together with Missoula-based Vital Ground Foundation, we’re making things a little easier for roaming grizzly bears near the U.S.-Canada border. Here’s more on that story and how safeguarding two crucial habitat connections in Montana earlier this winter is helping the bears as they bounce back.
Your chance to help with wolverine research
How sharing observations in southeast B.C. can make a difference
Do you plan on spending some time in the Rockies or mountain ranges of southeastern British Columbia in the coming months? You can take part in wolverine research.
Y2Y is partnering on an exciting project this winter with Wolverine Watch, a scientific collaboration of researchers from B.C. and Alberta.
If you ski, snowshoe, snowmobile or take part in other winter activities across western Canada — particularly the Selkirk, Purcell, Monashee and Cariboo ranges of southeastern B.C. — researchers are asking you to keep your eyes peeled for signs of wolverines and share what you see. It's your chance to be a community scientist!
Support for Y2Y not limited by geography
Why one monthly donor gives despite distance
Nutritionist Caroline Dickson has never felt like the distance between her home in the state of Georgia and the Yellowstone to Yukon region is a barrier to giving monthly donations. She says becoming a donor is an easy way to feel a connection to the mountains she loves, get involved and stay up-to-date on what's happening in the West.
Coming soon: Bear season
Helping Montanans recreate responsibly in bear country
Your donations helped us support education outreach in Montana, ensuring people are bear-aware this upcoming season.
The Southwest Montana Bear Education Working Group’s bear education trailer travels southwest Montana promoting bear awareness and safety practices. This collection of federal and state agencies and non-profit organizations that have common interests in reducing bear-human conflicts, increasing social tolerance for bears, and promoting the understanding of bears and their biology.
The program supplies practice cans at bear spray demonstrations so that people can get hands-on experience with cans of inactive bear spray and receive instruction on how to recreate in bear country safely and responsibly. It is important to carry bear spray in areas where the large bruins roam and feed. Even more important? To make sure your bear spray can is handy, it’s not expired and that you know how to deploy it if the need arises.
Learn how your donations support programs like this that encourage humans and wildlife to live alongside one another across the Yellowstone to Yukon region.
Photo credits —
Banner: Ice climbing in Alberta, Darwin Wiggett
Inset photos: Bees to Bears film still, Scott Rulander, Gem Vision Productions | Jodi Hilty and Joe Boyer at the Nine Mile land parcel near Troy, Montana, Harvey Locke | Wolverine, Peter Mather | Lynx, Shutterstock | Bear education workshop, Southwest Montana Bear Education Working Group
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