Central Oregon LandWatch on LinkedIn: Safe Passages (2024)

What does it mean to hold wildlife in public trust when the public can’t agree about how to manage it? Vermonters are attempting to reach consensus on whether animals or hunters take priority in the state’s wildlife regulations, and the opinions are significantly divided. Bill S.258, introduced in the last legislative session, aims at bringing both sides together by adding non-hunter members to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board and shifting rulemaking to a staff that includes wildlife biologists. VTDigger takes an in-depth look at the complex subject:https://buff.ly/3QBepTl #conservation #newengland #northeast #landconservation #wwfc #wildlifemanagement #vermont

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Good news! Researchers have published a highly anticipated study about wildlife crossings this fall, furthering efforts to reconnect animal habitat while preventing costly wildlife-vehicle collisions on busy roads. The study analyzed road segments from 11 western states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming — to find the best locations for wildlife crossings. The research comes at a time of increased momentum for building wildlife crossings across the country. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $350 million in federal funding to the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program to be distributed among states. https://lnkd.in/g3J6i47m#biodiversity #wildlife #wildlifecrossings #habitat #conservation

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A fantastic article, written by my colleague Stephen. He provides great insights to help keep your project moving ahead and on schedule, while protecting important environmental features along the way. Check it out!

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Terrific article byWyatt Gordon, highlights significant progress being made by@VaDOT in advancing wildlife corridors and crossings across the state of Virginia. It's a must-read for anyone interested in learning about these important initiatives. The link is below to dive in #WildlifeConservation #wildlifecorridors #crossings #biodiversity

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Check out this article to better understand what innovation can yield when we think about human safety AND wildlife from well designed wildlife crossings.

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We’ve got the latest news and updates about wildlife conservation across the globe in one spot for you. Take a look at this month’s Frontline Dispatches to stay informed 👉🏼 https://bit.ly/3UVu6rC#ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews #Nature #Animals #Animal #Conservation #SustainableUse #WildlifeManagment #WildlifeConservation #Sustainability #Biodiversity #AnimalNews #ConservationFrontlines

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How to Survive an Encounter With Wildlife https://lnkd.in/dDBNt9m6 #AnimalEncounters #NatureSurvival #OutdoorSafety #SurvivalSkills #WildernessSafety #WildlifeAwareness #WildlifeEncounters #WildlifeSafety

I am SO stoked to see that wildlife accommodations on highways are being supported at such a substantial level. I learned a lot about these solutions back when I was doing my postdoc and working with Montanans for Safe Wildlife Passage, and I'm still obsessed with how cool they are all these years later. Underpasses and overpasses, coupled with fencing solutions, make roads safer for wildlife AND people. Contrary to the belief that they create a funnel for prey right into predators' mouths, they actually reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by 85%+ within 5 years, and predators don't hang out waiting for deer and other prey to cross because it puts them in danger of being a "sitting duck" to other predators as well. Road ecology solutions play to the instinctive behaviors of predators and prey alike in order to redirect those behaviors in an advantageous way. Research on their effectiveness globally shows that time and again, these road accommodations not only help, they work incredibly well! I live in the state with the second highest rate of wildlife-vehicle collisions in the nation (a title we don't like winning year after year), and the main road in and out of our town is a gauntlet for wildlife and people alike. The upfront investments, while seemingly high, pay for themselves considering that WVCs kill over 200 people per year, injure 26,000+ people, and cost more than $8 BILLION annually in property damage and other costs. I'm so pleased Montana is on here for the states receiving awards ($9m!!!!), and I'm really happy to see so many others coordinating across state and federal agencies and with local partners to bring these solutions to fruition on the ground. There's not a lot of win-win solutions out there when it comes to human-wildlife conflict mitigation, but this is one of them. 🙌

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How to Survive an Encounter With Wildlife https://lnkd.in/dApKCkgs #AnimalEncounters #NatureSurvival #OutdoorSafety #SurvivalSkills #WildernessSafety #WildlifeAwareness #WildlifeEncounters #WildlifeSafety

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Have you ever heard of Red Wolves ❓A wildlife crossing on North Carolina’s US Highway 64 is urgently needed. Red wolves, the world’s most endangered canids, have fewer than 25 individuals remaining in the wild. Tragically, five were killed by vehicles last year, all near Highway 64, which cuts through Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuges—their last remaining habitat.The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 allocates $350 million for the Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program, with a second round of funding available this year. Despite this, no Southeast project has yet received these crucial funds.To secure federal funding and build a lifesaving wildlife crossing in Red Wolf territory, 20% of the funds must come from state and private sources. An anonymous donor has pledged a $2 million match challenge, which will be given to the North Carolina Department of Transportation if we can raise an additional $2 million.These funds are vital to applying for an additional $16 million through the federal grant program this fall. If successful, this funding will construct wildlife underpasses along US 64, connecting habitats in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge on both sides of the highway. The project also includes substantial fencing to guide wildlife safely.This is a critical moment. Red wolves and dozens of other species from bears and bobcats to river otters and skunks rely on us to raise the necessary funds this summer.A coalition led by @wildlandsnetwork and the @centerforbiodiv is spearheading this effort. To pledge or donate, please contact the Center for Biological Diversity’s deputy development director.If you would like to donate personally, please check out the link in my bio!!! 🐺💰✅Below are a list of the organizations getting the word out about Red Wolves ⬇️ Wildlands Network Center for Biological Diversity NC Wildlife Resources CommissionNC Wildlife Federation**Any photograph of Red Wolves used in this video were pulled from Wikipedia Commons and are not mine.**

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