A Wyoming-to-Canada wildlife project has supported 204 crossings and helped protect 59 million acres

A conservation project connecting wild habitats from Wyoming to Canada’s Yukon has been named a finalist for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize. The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative has spent 33 years protecting 59 million acres of land and supporting 204 wildlife crossings across North America. The non-profit project is one of 15 global finalists for the 2026 environmental award, according to The Associated Press. The project brings together scientists, private landowners, local governments, and Indigenous communities across the Rocky Mountains. By building wildlife overpasses, underpasses, and safety fences along major highways, the initiative helps large animals move safely through their natural habitats without being hit by vehicles.Tracking wildlife across bordersThe idea for the cross-border wildlife corridor began in the early 1990s after researchers tracked a radio-collared wolf named Pluie. Satellite data showed that the wolf travelled across three US states and two Canadian provinces. Her movements showed scientists that individual parks and nature reserves were not large enough to support animals such as wolves, grizzly bears, and caribou over the long term. Th...