Conference & Awards

Reconnecting the Rockies Alberta: Bridging Science and Management for Wildlife Connectivity

The Miistakis Institute applies a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to conservation research that bridges the gap between science and on-the-ground management. Our work focuses on developing and applying practical, policy-relevant tools that help decision-makers, communities, and industry partners balance ecological integrity with human needs. The Reconnecting the Rockies – Alberta project exemplifies this approach. Centered in southwestern Alberta, this collaborative initiative is improving wildlife movement and ecological connectivity in one of the province’s most critical and fragmented landscapes. Working alongside Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Miistakis, together with Nature Conservancy Canada and Biodiversity Pathways, is supporting the design and evaluation of an ambitious wildlife collision reduction system along Highway 3—one of Alberta’s busiest wildlife-vehicle conflict zones. Using remote cameras and GPS collaring of grizzly bears, elk, deer, we are monitoring pre- and post-construction wildlife movement to refine mitigation design and inform management decisions. Beyond infrastructure, the project integrates corridor mapping, policy development, and public engagement to advance connectivity conservation across the region. Together, these efforts demonstrate how applied conservation science can inform management, shape policy, and deliver tangible benefits for both people and wildlife.

Bio: Danah Duke is the Executive Director of the Miistakis Institute, where she leads an interdisciplinary team dedicated to advancing applied conservation research and translating science into practical solutions for land and resource management. With over two decades of experience in conservation science, Danah has built a career focused on bridging the gap between research and real-world decision-making. Under her leadership, Miistakis has become a trusted partner to governments, NGOs, and communities seeking evidence-based strategies to address complex environmental challenges. Her work emphasizes collaboration, co-creation, and the integration of scientific knowledge into policy and planning to improve outcomes for both people and nature. Danah’s expertise spans ecological connectivity, wildlife movement, landscape conservation, human–wildlife coexistence and citizen science. Danah holds a M.Sc. in Environmental Biology and Ecology from the University of Alberta.