While Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) would like everyone to think the world will end if migratory corridors are not established, and money is being spent to chase down "ungulates" for the purposes of putting GPS collars on them. the truth is they are creating corridors, not identifying them. Jody Hilty, Y2Y President and Chief Scientist, is making money off this scam with two books she wrote with others, called Corridor Ecology. In this Conservation Corridor summary it states the book contains, "Evidence that supports the use of corridors as a conservation strategy...", and explains "...the multitude of approaches and tie the modeling process into the overall process of designing corridors." And finally, "...we provide guiding principles as well as opportunities and challenges to implementing corridors...". They aren't trying to find out where wildlife migrate, they are creating corridors for their large landscape design and land takeover. Even a review on Amazon states, ""The great value of this book lies in the varied examples and in the models, which show the problems and conditions of corridor establishment and the factors related to designing a corridor. The book will inspire the creation of corridors, and explains how to design one and how to take greater advantage of it." Since these corridors are for the purposes of conservation, what does that mean? The definition of conservation is "a careful preservation and protection of something especially, planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect." No matter how they frame it, the bottom line intent for corridors is no use of the area. That is what corridors are really about, it has nothing to do with wildlife being fragmented. Y2Y is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This IUCN booklet, Linkages in the Landscape, The Role of Corridors and Connectivity in Wildlife Conservation, outlines how land should be configured or designed for corridors. This is one model Y2Y is using as an IUCN member. IUCN also has a global policy for their objectives. Never let Y2Y try and convince you they are not part of this agenda. It is all fact.
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Another talk by Jody Hilty, Yellowstone to Yukon President and Chief Scientist, reveals a rather disturbing picture of a false narrative of information. Ms. Hilty either has chosen to deliberately misrepresent the truth, or lives in some sort of fantasy world. In this Scaling Up Webinar, Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative, November 14, 2017, Ms. Hilty covers a variety of issues from both Canada and the U.S., skipping back and forth between the two countries. In the standard Y2Y mantra, she declares wildlife need "room to roam" which usually means at the expense of where people live and their use of land in all forms. What is so ironic when describing how a Wolf traversed between Canada and the U.S., there is ongoing claims that animals are unable to survive without connectivity, taking more land for protection so they can migrate. Isn't that what the Wolf was doing without the Y2Y connectivity agenda? And while the Wolf doesn't recognize the boundary between the two countries, she fails to understand that these two countries do have jurisdictional boundaries between them, which supercedes what any Wolf may understand. Blanket descriptions are given for historical ranges for Grizzlies, without any factual verification. However, this is deliberate as Y2Y intends to use Grizzlies as an umbrella species. Throughout the webinar, Ms. Hilty repeatedly states, "science says", not understanding that science is not a person, it can't think or speak. In her "collaborative" description, elected officials and local citizens are not included. At the 19:20 mark, the Crown of the Continent that engulfs ID/MT/Canada, a path for Grizzlies is created on conjecture that it must be protected based on potential genetic problems. Next is the Cabinet Purcell area with ID/MT/BC involved, and three Grizzly "corridors" for connectivity, and work with land trusts to take land with conservation easements by Vital Ground, stopping development. Central Idaho is also targeted for artificial placement of Grizzlies at the 22:50 mark, manipulating wildlife so we can "live" with them, not recognizing how dangerous, and unethical that is. A Y2Y workshop was held with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in March, 2017, to convince them to include wildlife overpasses in their transportation projects, referencing Hwy 20. Interestingly, ITD never fessed up to this, instead letting IDFG take the heat for their partnership with Y2Y. While Ms. Hilty claims the community was "super engaged", the truth was the community was strongly opposed to these overpasses, and it was only a Y2Y created front group that was supporting that objective. Ms. Hilty claimed "huge threats of growth" and people "gobbling" up land instead of living in high rises at the 31:20 mark. And just where do you live Ms. Hilty, in a high rise or in your own house gobbling up land? She thinks protected areas are being "ringed with development". That is clearly not true. None the less, she calls these "gateway" cities and the plan is on for going in and telling these cities how they should live, holding Mountain and Resort Town Planner Summits. The National Park Service (NPS) was part of this webinar as a deep partner with Y2Y, having some questions for Ms. Hilty at the 40:45 and 44:20 marks. More talk about growth sprawl came at the 50:05 mark, and getting elected officials to buy in to landscape conservation at the 53:30 mark. Ms. Hilty supported giving officials a "safe" place to support conservation and cited Sen. Risch and his work with the Scotchman's Peak group, never mentioned it was the vast opposition to his wilderness bill that defeated his alliance with them. Listen to the webinar and learn more about all the work Y2Y is doing to spread their propaganda. It is truly remarkable that Idaho Fish & Game (IDFG) is paid to work for Idaho citizens, yet their work is primarily accomplished with the federal government such as the Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GNLCC) and non-governmental organizations (NGO). Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y), having such a heavy presence in Idaho with their connectivity agenda, is one of those NGOs in which IDFG has a partnership. In northern Idaho a project is currently being run as a joint venture by IDFG and Y2Y, called the Bees to Bears Climate Adaptation Project. It is a project to restore "250 acres of forested lowland habitat to improve landscape climate resiliency for 6 Species of Greatest Conservation Need on the Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area." Jessie Grossman, Yellowstone to Yukon Cabinet-Purcell Mountain Corridor Coordinator and Lacy Robinson, Y2Y, CPMC Project Coordinator serve on the project as well. Part of the project funding comes from the Wildlife Conservation Society. This project aligns with their joint Cabinet-Purcell Mountain Corridor Collaborative as well, using Grizzlies as justification for "transboundary" conservation for connectivity which the IDFG employee mentions in the video. Citizen involvement is actually members of an IDFG group called the Master Naturalists. These partnerships with NGOs must end, IDFG is paid to represent Idaho citizens. Until this relationship is untangled and IDFG gets back to representing Idaho, their agenda for landscape conservation and connectivity will only continue.
Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) relies heavily upon foundations to fund their agenda, along with government grants and donations by individuals. One huge Y2Y donor is the Wilburforce Foundation, which hails Y2Y as the "...worldwide model for large landscape conservation." Below are some graphics of who Wilburforce gives their money to, what the money is for, and under which program serving the omnipotent Y2Y. This first graphic shows that Future West is a recipient for $135,000 to "protect landscapes and build conservation capacity for the...". The end is cut off but the purpose is for the High Divide area that encompasses Salmon and Challis. Building capacity means getting as many people as possible to join their efforts, and provide " ‘back office’ training", which means teaching people how to sell their message and convince others to join the bandwagon. Future West even has the training for this. "Direct investment (small grants) in their operations..." is another way in which to spread the money around. Meddling in Island Park affairs is another Future West activity. When the Y2Y created Henry's Fork Legacy Project fell apart, Future West was there to champion it on. Don't be fooled, it is a front group for Y2Y, try and find who belongs to it. The Greater Yellowstone Coalition is another recipient of this money, $150,000, again to be used in the High Divide for wildlife and habitat protection. Below is the second graphic. Again in the High Divide area, a total of $110,000 was given to the Salmon Valley Stewardship from 2016-2018, for "general support". This group has many projects they work on which can be seen in their newsletters. It is probably by no coincidence that the Executive Director, Toni Ruth, "...was the High Divide Coordinator for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers". Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is a heavily engaged partner with Y2Y, all the way into Canada. Another backdoor Y2Y influence in local "community" organizations. The last graphic reflects some of the other money sent to their program in Canada. All totaled, $11,906,633 dollars. That is just a small fraction of the amount of money being used against us by Y2Y. Regardless of how much money they have, they cannot defeat the strength and bonds of local citizens who have pride in the ares they live in, nor can they escape the law under which we are governed. Engage with your local and state representatives and let them know that these groups are not welcome in your backyard, or the questionable activities they promote with their money.
Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) and its U.S. Program Director, Kim Trotter, having previously created the Island Park Safe Wildlife Passage Initiative (IPSWPI) in 2016, has now created a new front group, Fremont County Citizens For Safe Highways (FCCFSH). Allegedly, this group is comprised of Fremont County citizens, when most likely a large portion is comprised of individuals who spend the summer in Island Park but are not Fremont County residents full time. This group is listed on the State of Idaho campaign finance reports as Citizens For Safe Highways but there is nothing for a scanned report. Lobbying efforts by this new group can be more easily accomplished than Y2Y because of its prohibited lobbying status, in addition to being eligible for donations.
The purpose of this group is promoting wildlife overpasses, which apparently the IPSWPI group hasn't been able to achieve. Taking a look at the FCCFSH FAQ page, it is a continuation of the misrepresentations that has been promoted by other Y2Y front groups over the last year. Here are some of those misrepresentations. Why are driver-safe highway crossings necessary? Sadly, wildlife-vehicle collisions have increased sharply. Truth: Under the Research tab it is clear that Idaho deer collisions have gone down in the last two years. What type of collisions are they referring to? They have manipulated roadkill data by including small animals to embellish numbers, the actual Elk numbers are not that high. The original purpose promoted for overpasses was the poor Elk. Because those numbers DO NOT substantiate the Elk deaths, Y2Y and their front groups are now shifting, or at least trying to shift the focus to other small animals and deer. Don't fall for this ruse, the truth is still the same, Elk WVC are low, and non-existent at Targhee Pass. Do driver-safe highway crossings work? Across Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Canada, driver-safe wildlife crossings have PROVEN to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by as much as 90 percent. Truth: To compare different geographical areas to Island Park is illogical, and the 90% is also an elevated percentage. It takes years to offset 20-30 million dollars of overpass costs, in addition to the massive cost of maintaining these overpasses and fencing which has never been answered as to who will pay for it. The overpasses they are referring to are in isolated, primarily flat areas with no development. Are there cheaper alternatives? Like slower speed limits? No. Unfortunately, alternatives like flashing lights, wildlife detections systems and highway signs are proven NOT to be adequately effective. Truth: Studies have shown lower speed limits do reduce not only accidents but also the severity of injuries in accidents. Y2Y refuses to acknowledge this. The Fremont County Commissioners, Sheriff, and citizens have repeatedly asked the Idaho Transportation Department for a speed reduction which they consistently refuse to do. (See Speed Limits article under the Articles tab.) Who pays for building and maintaining these structures? Modern, driver-safe wildlife crossings typically account for 10 percent of the entire highway modernization project. They are paid for by federal fuel taxes, which are already collected for this purpose. When crossings are built with road construction, the Federal Highway Administration pays for 93% of total project costs. It’s important to understand that county taxpayers do NOT pay for these highway improvements or for maintaining them. Truth: The Targhee Pass road upgrade is $12 million dollars, with the addition of overpasses the cost increases to 20-30 million dollars, this is not a 10% increase (See alternative 3). How does this group know the FHA pays for 93% of the total project costs? Is there something in writing that states this, especially since no final approval decision has been made by FHA on this project? Sorry, but the truth is that every taxpayer, including Fremont County citizens, pay for the astronomical costs of overpasses and the ongoing maintenance costs. County taxpayers DO pay for these highway improvements through their federal taxes. The burden for this does fall on every taxpayer, nothing is free. Will the crossings be unsightly? Professional engineers and landscape architects design tunnels and fencing are designed for minimal visual impact. Fencing is minimal necessary to do the job – usually about 8 feet tall and ONLY where necessary. Truth: As reflected, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and there are many who find the overpasses and associated fencing offensive to the land, in addition to the forced hazing of wildlife. There is something that could be considered cruel to force wildlife to abort their natural habitat into something a human wants them to do. As suggested by minimal visual impact, there is visual impact and fencing is necessary to force wildlife to change their path where ever a overpass is located. Will fencing keep people off public lands or limit hunting opportunities? No. The Forest Service, Idaho Department of Transportation and Idaho Fish and Game all agree that access to public land is paramount.... Truth: It is very well documented that traffic, recreational use, and development are a "threat" and "disturbance" to wildlife by Y2Y and other large conservation groups. By creating a false wildlife corridor via overpasses, this area will become off limits to all activity by people who currently enjoy it. While ITD and IDFG, and even the USFS make these claims now, it will change as it has in other areas where overpasses have been built, no use. Will driver-safe wildlife crossings impact property values? Driver-safe wildlife crossings have been built across the West and there has been no corresponding change in property values. Truth: While these overpasses have been built in other areas, the majority of them are NOT located in developed areas, they are in isolated and flat land, and often on public land, therefore there can be no changes in property values. There is much development and recreation at Targhee Pass, which is NOT the case in their reference on property values. Will overpasses will funnel animals for predators? Biologists in other states say this is not a problem. Wildlife usually keep moving near narrow pinch points, preventing significant increases in predation. Studies have looked at wildlife crossings worldwide and found no significant changes in predation patterns. Truth: Few studies have been conducted on predatory activity near wildlife overpasses (pg 283). In fact, this is how wolves take an Elk down on an overpass. Like this article points out, wolves can engage in "surplus killing" which was an attack on Elk in a feeding area. Forced into confined area by fencing, there is reason to believe wolves may learn overpasses are a feeding area, for them. Too many variables are in play to make a generalized statement about predatory activity, it hasn't been studied and geographical areas are different. In fact, wolf predatory activity is so devastating to Elk, they have to be destroyed. WVC are NOT the primary cause of Elk mortality, predatory activity is, and to build an overpass for them is illogical. Another reason Y2Y and their front groups are so desperately moving to deer and small animals. Beware wild exaggerations and misinformation Unfortunately, we are seeing wildly inaccurate information about the costs of the project, the extent of fencing, and other claims. Truth: Every statement made on this website and in published articles is verified through links. As one example, false information regarding the costs of overpasses was blatantly published by a IPSWPI member in an Island Park newspaper and had to be corrected the next week with the factual cost graphs from ITD. Here are the factual costs. The data on WVC and numbers of roadkill has also been misrepresented requiring correction. All information on this website is for the very purpose of validating the truth, contrary to the claims by Y2Y, IPSWI, and now this new front group. While this group claims "...a vocal in Island Park worked to convince the public and decision makers that wildlife crossings aren’t in Island Park’s interest, spreading fear of losing access to public lands, reduced property values, and loss of business.", the truth is many voices have written their objections to overpasses and over 3,000 have signed a petition in opposition of overpasses in Island Park. That is a far greater number than "one" voice. Plus, overpasses do lead to loss of public access, reduced property values, and loss of business because of the eventual "protected" status that eventually comes with migratory corridor designations. All of this is validated documentation on this website. Also missing within this new group is the fact that overpasses are used for the purposes of connectivity. To be fully transparent, it would behoove them to bring this aspect to their argument. In spite of repeated requests, spokespersons for Y2Y, and Kim Totter, have repeatedly failed to address this. Overpasses are only used for their connectivity agenda, by having the area within the overpass declared a migration corridor for protection and land use regulation following the placement of the overpass. Y2Y understands there is opposition to this and avoids discussing it for that reason. The truth is, there is a small number of individuals who are attached to Y2Y for overpasses, many of which who do not live full time in Island Park. They have never responded to requests for full disclosure of the connectivity agenda. Most likely, it is because they know Island Park residents would oppose this with a vengeance much like what happened with the national monument issue. Those who truly love Island Park don't want these changes. However, it appears this group has registered as a 501(c)3, even though it cannot be found on the Idaho non-profit website, and are now soliciting money from you to promote their agenda for overpasses. This is Y2Y operating as there are restrictions on how they can lobby to influence legislation and policies. It is up to the Federal Highway Administration to make the final decision per the Environmental Assessment. The FCCFSH is using your money to influence your vote. That is why they were created. In both Canada and the U.S., our governments are betraying citizens with their long term partnerships with Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y). Below is a document by Jody Hilty, Y2Y President and Chief Scientist, that clearly outlines how both governments have been working with Y2Y, "...driven by a group of conservationists...", "...for a vision of a protected and connected Y2Y region". These partnerships are heavily embedded and why there is no response to citizens who object in both countries. This is a violation of the U.S. Constitution which elected officials are sworn to uphold. Our right to land use is being systematically taken from us as Y2Y implements their objectives for putting land into protective status for connectivity. Much folly has been made towards those who speak about the eventual restrictive and regulatory control over private lands, or that corridors will lead to regulated land use. Here is the validation that this is the Yellowstone to Yukon agenda.
"Using appropriate techniques, computer habitat suitability model results can be an effective first step to identify core and connectivity habitats in order to direct land development, highway construction, and mitigation so that wildlife are protected as they move across the landscape to meet their daily, seasonal, and lifetime needs." "Areas which are identified as core and connectivity habitat, are the focus of restrictive management practices on public lands, and are the focus of land acquisition and conservation easements on private lands." Targhee Pass is an identified area with connectivity habitat, the Elk. Once they gain this objective with overpasses, a migratory Elk corridor designation will follow, and regulatory land use requirements over that area will be pursued for implementation, including all private land in and adjacent to that corridor. The facts are in their own words. Kim Trotter, Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) Program Director, recently announced the hiring of two new employees for the purposes of advancing the Y2Y agenda in Montana and Idaho. Nick Clarke was hired as the High Divide Project Coordinator. His duties will include:
This is the exact same agenda they pushed for in Island Park. Wildlife overpasses are the ruse for wildlife corridors, and connectivity to other protected areas. The map below covers the area Clarke has been assigned to, the High Divide Salmon-Selway-Bitterroot area. Residents in Salmon, Challis, McCall, Riggins, and Grangeville need to be ready, especially Salmon and Challis. The second hire, Jessie Grossman, will be the Cabinet Purcell Mountain Corridor Project Coordinator. Her coverage area can be seen in the map below. Ms. Grossman's duties will be the same as Clarke, using the bear as the excuse for connectivity. One huge threat of this agenda is the trans-boundary aspect, fully ignoring the Canadian-US border. Y2Y wants bears and other wildlife to have freedom to "roam" wherever it wants between countries, and remove whatever they think are barriers such as people, development, roads, private property, and land use. "Connecting" the Cabinet-Purcell mountains is the Y2Y objective, not understanding that this land and wildlife are already connected. The folks in Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, and Ponderay need to be alert to this agenda coming their way.
For both areas, look for transportation projects that propose incorporation of wildlife overpasses, out of the blue "new" local groups that support overpasses, more aggressive pushes for placing land into conservation easements, and public meetings and outreach that intend to influence your thinking that overpasses are the only solution. Don't be afraid to confront them with the real agenda, the truth behind overpasses which is corridor designation and connectivity agendas. Alert your neighbors to the same and educate them. Do not let Y2Y implement their agenda in your area.
For those who have expressed doubt or questioned Y2Y's long term objective regarding more restrictive land use or creation of corridors, they are actively pursuing this in Canmore, Canada by halting land development.
In spite of the developer dedicating a large portion of their project on corridors, fencing, and community education for each development area, this was not enough for Y2Y. They want all development stopped so a study can be conducted on the development project as a whole. Like Island Park, Y2Y interference in local towns has created some divisions in the community.
As indicated in this news report, Y2Y was successful in shutting down this project two months later, and it was all based on a "wildlife corridor". Make no mistake, if Y2Y gets their way and overpasses are built, their next pursuit will be a declaration of a wildlife corridor, and Island Park citizens will forever lose control over how Island Park lives on. This is Y2Y's true colors, control over land use, dictating how and where we live, and if we will even be allowed to live there when they finish their agenda to control our land. UPDATE 6/26/18 - Y2Y got their way, development in the above area was stopped. Everyone needs to understand that overpasses are one method used by Y2Y to get an area declared a corridor. In the case of Island Park, if an overpass is built, that area will easily be pursued for a corridor designation and as one can see what happened in Canada, it will happen in Island Park. These conservation initiatives will take over land use and regulation, and dictate development, not the local citizens. Throughout this website there is validated documentation that most of the work on the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Hwy 20 project, so far, has been generated by entities other than local citizens. The true engagement of citizens really did not occur until December, 2016 when an open house was held during a time when the majority of residents were unable to attend. One of the initial schemes used by Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) to garner support for their overpass agenda was to "start creating quiet coalitions" (Pg 13). In the case of Island Park, the local Master Naturalists, Henry's Fork Foundation, and Henry's Fork Legacy Project were all used to create coalitions for wildlife overpasses, even having them involved in the various wildlife studies. By doing so, Y2Y uses these "coalitions" to project a false guise of collaboration and community support. Many individuals in these groups aren't even year round residents, Island Park is not their home. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Y2Y is partnering with state agencies such as Idaho Fish & Game (IDFG), and others, to exploit transportation projects for their objectives. In fact, their collusion extends all the way from Wyoming, through Idaho, into Canada. What is really fascinating is that Kim Trotter also makes claims of collaboration by "...getting out ahead of their (ITD) decision-making process to gain public support and influence their plans to include wildlife-friendly changes.” And just exactly where does Ms. Trotter get her statistic that supports the claim, "...one in four accidents are caused by wildlife..." on Hwy 20? Given the manipulative and secret exploits of Y2Y, it is astonishing Ms. Trotter claims, "...it’s essential to engage local voices...". Aside from the secretly created "coalitions", and private meetings with ITD, when did Ms. Trotter ever engage with local Island Park residents about influencing ITD to build overpasses? For anyone who does not support the Y2Y agenda for overpasses, they are accused of not caring about wildlife. This is intended to elicit feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt...and to refrain from voicing their objection. Citizens who oppose wildlife overpasses are more committed to Elk and other wildlife than conservation initiatives. They believe in protecting wildlife and the land from destruction and do not manipulate either for hidden objectives. Stay the course folks. Our government was created on the foundation of boundaries and local representation. As stated in the Declaration of Independence, the government has enumerated powers and only functions "...from the consent of the governed". As state employees, IDFG is obligated to perform their duties according to the Idaho Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, which requires consent of the governed. By partnering only with initiatives they are violating this responsibility. Many of the individuals in these groups may own property which they visit a few months out of the year, but they are not residents of Island Park, nor are they Idahoans. IDFG has districts in each part of Idaho. District 6, the Upper Snake Region, covers Island Park. Every state employee working in this District has failed in their duty to inform Island Park residents and involve them in the ITD project from the beginning, instead working with Y2Y. It is not too late to reverse that and begin carrying out their duties from the consent of the governed.
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