Dock Member Series: Y2Y Initiative

Over the last 7 years that theDock has been a part of the community, the team has been privileged to work alongside some incredible organizations working on impactful change whether in the social impact sector, environmental sector, or social justice sector.

Y2Y Initiative is one of those members.

We caught up with Tim Burkhart, the BC Program Manager (Strategic Engagement and Peace Region) to chat about his time at theDock, how COVID affected their organization, and what is to come in 2021.

1. How long have you been a Dock member? What attracted you to theDock?

I have been a Dock member since December of 2017, so just over 3 years! I was invited to join the space by a colleague from another environmental non-profit--Lisa Matthaus from Organizing for Change--and I was impressed by the incredible array of organizations doing fantastic community-based work, and the excellent and super friendly dockhands. Also I love the coffee.

2. Introduce your organization in a few sentences – what do you do, what’s your purpose?

The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative is a joint Canada-U.S. not-for-profit organization and the only organization dedicated to securing the long-term ecological health of this entire region.

Our vision is an interconnected system of wild lands and waters stretching from Yellowstone to Yukon, harmonizing the needs of people with those of nature.

Recognizing communities need equal opportunities and rights to thrive, Y2Y seeks to support human diversity, equity, inclusion; and environmental and social justice, and to oppose actions and policies that undermine these principles.

We work with First Nations and Native Americans, governments, scientists and NGOs to advance local and regional conservation objectives.

3. What is your favourite part about working for your organization?

I love many elements of the work we do. Working with First Nations and communities to make a meaningful difference on the ground is really rewarding. I love storytelling, and uplifting stories of hope for the environment, people, and wildlife from our community partners. I love work that involves listening and learning, from scientists and traditional knowledge-holders, and from many different perspectives across this huge geography. And sometimes, I am privileged to visit some of the most beautiful and remote wild places in British Columbia, and see amazing wildlife up close!

4. How has Covid impacted your organization? Any surprising challenges and wins along the way?

As an organization that works across a vast geography--1.3 million square kilometres--we have always worked with remote offices. Y2Y's headquarters are in Canmore Alberta, where the majority of staff live, and certainly there have been challenges in adapting to Covid-19 there. I think the biggest challenge has been in the travel restrictions; which have put a temporary hold on fieldwork and community work, conferences and academic events, and for advocacy to government in Ottawa, Washington D.C., and here in Victoria. On a more philosophical note, I think that Covid-19 has revealed a lot about our relationship with the natural world, and the value we place on interconnectedness--two fundamental concepts to my organization's work.

5. How did you adapt this past year?

I think the pandemic has helped to build and enhance our systems for collaboration across such distances, through different video-conferencing, facilitation, and team-working platforms. The use of Zoom/Bluejeans/Teams was not new for us, but is now greatly expanded to all staff. One interesting adaptation has been the ability to reach large audiences through webinars and online presentations. We have held a short 'Y2Y Film Fest' online, which was really successful, and moved a series of workshops on exploring Ethical Space onto online format, which allowed us to bring in a larger and more diverse audience.

6. What is your team most excited for in 2021?

We are really excited about celebrating the one-year anniversary of a first-of-its-kind intergovernmental agreement between Canada, BC, Saulteau First Nations, and West Moberly First Nations. This agreement protects about 2 million acres of caribou habitat through an expanded park and protected areas, the third largest in BC! The final legislation expanding the protections is set for this spring, and I've been working with a filmmaker as well as a Saulteau artist on commemorative materials to support and celebrate this historic achievement. I'm excited about working to support other Indigenous-led protected area proposals and declarations, such as Kaska Dena Council's proposed Dene Kʼéh Kusān and Tsay Keh Dene First Nation's declared Ingenika Protected Area.

Want to learn more about Y2Y Initiative?
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube or check out their website.

Interested in becoming a member at theDock?
Book a free trial day!