Expert Guidance to Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions and Improve Habitat Connectivity
In the spring of 2022, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, ARC Solutions, the National Parks Conservation Association, and Wildlands Network hosted a three-part webinar series designed to raise awareness about wildlife infrastructure, including new and expanded funding opportunities made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Part of this historic legislation is a $350-million, competitive grant program called the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. This is the first-ever dedicated federal funding for structures that help fish and wildlife safely pass over and under roads while reconnecting habitat.
Learn more about each webinar and view the recordings below.
Webinar 1
Summary:
This webinar took a big picture look at the problem, the solutions, and the benefits of reducing motorist crashes involving wildlife and reconnecting habitat across roadways.
Speakers:
Rob Ament – Western Transportation Institute
Patty Garvey-Darda – United States Forest Service
Scott Jackson – University of Massachusetts Amherst
Webinar 2
Summary:
This webinar looked at the role of data collection tools, “hotspot” analyses, and partnerships in identifying where to invest in wildlife infrastructure.
Speakers:
Elizabeth Fairbank – Center for Large Landscape Conservation
Liz Hillard – Wildlands Network
Jeff Hunter – National Parks Conservation Association
Jens Hawkins-Hilke – Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
Webinar 3
Summary:
This webinar provided an overview of new, expanded, and existing programs that can be used to pay for animal road crossing structures and other mitigation measures for wildlife.
Speakers:
Renee Callahan – ARC Solutions
Tony Cady – Colorado Department of Transportation
Chris Slesar – Vermont Agency of Transportation
Banner Photo: Wildlife crossing over State Highway 9 in Colorado – CLLC/Anna Wearn
