A proposal to establish a vast habitat corridor spanning 3,400 kilometers from Yellowstone National Park in the U.S. to Canada’s Yukon is gaining attention as the first Canadian finalist for Prince William’s annual environmental awards. The initiative, known as the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), has been recognized as a finalist in the Protect & Restore Nature category of the 2026 Earthshot Prizes. This prestigious award offers £1 million ($1.9 million Cdn) to winners in each of the five categories, with a ceremony set to take place in Mumbai in November.

Y2Y, hailed by the Earthshot Prize as one of the most extensive conservation collaborations in history, aims to reconnect a vast mountain landscape across Canada and the U.S. to facilitate the free movement of wildlife. The corridor is home to various large mammals, including wolves, grizzly bears, wolverines, and endangered mountain caribou, within an area exceeding 25 million hectares of protected land.

The initiative, launched in 1993 as a joint effort between a U.S. non-profit organization and a Canadian charity, was inspired by the journeys of a wolf named Pluie. Equipped with a satellite tracking collar near Banff National Park in 1991, Pluie roamed through extensive territories spanning three U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and three national parks over two years.

Recognizing the importance of addressing habitat fragmentation and climate-induced migration challenges, Y2Y has made significant progress in expanding protected areas within the corridor from nine percent to nearly 18 percent over the past three decades. The initiative has collaborated with various stakeholders, including governments, Indigenous nations, private landowners, and scientists, to implement over 200 wildlife road crossings and support conservation efforts like the revival of the Klinse-Za caribou herd in British Columbia.

In addition to benefiting wildlife, the Y2Y initiative has had positive impacts on people, including the creation of more parkland for recreational activities and a reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions. The initiative’s efforts also contribute to carbon absorption and the preservation of clean water in the region.

While the financial reward from winning the Earthshot Prize may not cover the costs of individual projects, such as wildlife crossings that can exceed $20 million, the recognition and exposure gained through the award can raise awareness, attract new supporters, and foster connections with global initiatives addressing similar environmental challenges.

The Earthshot Prize, initiated in 2021, aims to drive innovation in combating climate change and addressing environmental issues through its five categories: Protect & Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive Our Oceans; Build a Waste-free World; and Fix Our Climate. The award, scheduled to continue until 2030, seeks to inspire solutions and actions for a sustainable future.