Human Dimensions of Conservation in the Yellowstone to Yukon Region

This new joint project between the University of Northern British Columbia and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is focused on studying the human dimensions of conservation across the Y2Y region in support of conservation decision-making

What is Y2Y?

The Yellowstone to Yukon vision is an interconnected system of wild lands and waters stretching from the Yellowstone to Yukon region harmonizing the needs of people with those of nature. Y2Y is also an environmental non-profit organization that has worked collaboratively with more than 460 partners since 1993 to achieve its mission of “connecting and protecting habitat from Yellowstone to Yukon so people and nature can thrive”.

Human Dimensions of Conservation:

People are part of nature, and all conservation issues have strong human dimensions. Ultimately, this means that all the conservation challenges that Y2Y faces as an organization have a social science dimension that can be usefully informed by research. 

So, after 25 years of focus on ecological science to drive conservation decisions, Y2Y is increasing its attention on the human element of its mission. For the Y2Y vision to be successful, the region must provide for the integrity of ecosystems and the well-being of the people who live, visit, and recreate across Yellowstone to Yukon. This is why Y2Y is increasing its social science capacity, not only to inform internal decision-making, but for, and in collaboration with, its many partners. The goal of these efforts is to better understand the roles of equity and justice in durable conservation and to achieve the Y2Y vision in full.

Supporting Conservation through the Social Sciences:

Conservation Social Sciences is an interdisciplinary and applied field that builds on the traditions of the social sciences to better understand the relationship between people and nature, with the aim of improving conservation outcomes. This diverse field of research can support Y2Y’s mission by helping the organization and its partners better understand how people shape, understand, and engage with the region.

Working with Y2Y staff, board members, partners, the academic community, and other community members, this project looks to support conservation through the social sciences by exploring and developing the human dimensions of conservation in the Yellowstone to Yukon region. 

Project Objectives:

Short-term objectives (Year 1 of project):

  1. Conduct a literature review on the human dimensions of conservation research in the region;
  2. Develop a shareable database of researchers and projects throughout the region.

Long-term objectives (Years 2 & 3 of project):

  • Create a social science research agenda for the human dimensions of Y2Y’s work;
  • Advise Y2Y staff and partners on current projects that have human dimension components;
  • Identify new research projects to assist ongoing practical conservation work in the Yellowstone to Yukon region.

Meet the Project Team here.