The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is renowned for its striking landscape and iconic wildlife.

The grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of elk, bison, and pronghorn that call this region home are all sustained by access to high-quality habitat and the ability to move freely across and within the landscape in order to meet their needs.

Whether animals are migratory, such as elk and bison, or simply need to move unencumbered throughout their range to meet their daily needs, connected landscapes are what keep Yellowstone’s wild inhabitants healthy and thriving.  

The wide swaths of connected habitat that sustain the region’s wild animals are under persistent threat from fragmentation and degradation. Fences, roads, and trails bisect wildlife habitat and present an often-lethal barrier to movement. These barriers fragment the landscape and prevent animals from accessing seasonal ranges, food sources, and mates. Human impacts and development reduce available resources and alter animal behavior, making wildlife more vulnerable and less likely to survive. Without connectivity, wildlife are at risk.  

The Greater Yellowstone Coalition is committed to preserving connectivity and restoring the ability of wildlife to move within and across the landscape to meet their needs. From advocating for wildlife crossing infrastructure that gives animals a safe way to cross roadways, to installing wildlife-friendly fencing that allows wild animals to pass through without harm, to conducting outreach to promote understanding and build social tolerance for wild animals in the places they come into contact with people, GYC is engaged in a wide array of efforts to ensure the landscape remains permeable and supports healthy, thriving populations of wildlife.