Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings
Habitat fragmentation could have lasting negative effects on wildlife, ecosystem functions, and recreation. Wildlife corridors and wildlife crossings are vital and cost-effective ways to maintain resilient ecosystems and to protect public health and safety on roads.
Overview
Populations of native wildlife, fish and plant species in the United States are on the decline. Habitat fragmentation could have lasting negative effects on wildlife populations, ecosystem functions, and recreation for millions of Americans. There are four main reasons for concern. Wildlife is losing the ability to move, migrate, and disperse across landscapes as built infrastructure and increased development intersect habitat or cut off migration routes. Wildlife-vehicle collisions are on the increase, putting people and wildlife at risk of injury and death, and costing billions each year.
Large scale loss of and/or fragmentation of habitat threatens species’ access to food, migration, genetic diversity, and overall resilience – all further impacted by changes in climate.
State agencies are dealing with growing responsibilities while experiencing decreased funding to address infrastructure needs and to manage and protect habitat.
Studies have shown that the best way to prevent biodiversity loss is to keep landscapes connected. Wildlife corridors and wildlife crossings are vital and cost-effective ways to maintain resilient ecosystems and to protect public health and safety on roads.
Key Facts
Wildlife-vehicle collisions cost over $8 billion annually. Wildlife crossings pay for themselves quickly in costs saved for emergency and medical assistance, property damage, and value of animals lost.
One in five native species in the United States are at risk of extinction and many species that are not protected by law are decreasing in numbers because of human encroachment; habitat connectivity is critical for species.
Over 100 million Americans spent $150 billion on wildlife-related recreation in 2016, and when managed well, recreation can assist with wildlife conservation.
Current Legislation
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| SB949: Environmental protection: Natural Resources Agency: resource of statewide significance: Santa Cruz Mountains.View Source | California | CA Sen. Josh Becker (D-CA-013) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Habitat | Passed Original Chamber |
| SB1250: State highway system: wildlife connectivity.View Source | California | CA Sen. Dave Cortese (D-CA-015) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Coordination, Permitting and Process, Transportation and Wildlife | Passed Original Chamber |
| SB592: enabling regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors and creating a commission to study transferring ownership of the Winnipesaukee River Basin program to an alternative authority.View Source | New Hampshire | NH Sen. David Watters (D-NH-004) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Renewable Energy, Terrestrial Connectivity | Effective |
| H.B.431: Wildlife Crossing AmendmentsView Source | Utah | UT Rep. Scott Chew (R-UT-068), UT Sen. Derrin Owens (R-UT-027) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Terrestrial Connectivity, Transportation and Wildlife, Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Coordination | Effective |
| HB30: Budget Bill.View Source | Virginia | VA Del. Luke Torian (D-VA-024) | Wildlife | Wildlife Agency Relevance and Funding, Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Terrestrial Connectivity, Coordination, Transportation and Wildlife | Effective |
| AB1673: County fish and wildlife propagation fund: wildlife coexistence: tear gas.View Source | California | CA Assemb. Heather Hadwick (R-CA-001) | Wildlife | Wildlife Agency Relevance and Funding, Wildlife Coexistence, Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Passed Original Chamber | |
| AB946: Natural resources: equitable outdoor access: 30x30 goal: urban nature-based projects.View Source | California | CA Assemb. Isaac Bryan (D-CA-055) | Wildlife | 30x30, Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Terrestrial Connectivity, Habitat | Passed Original Chamber |
| HB26-1081: Optimize Colorado Electric Transmission SystemView Source | Colorado | CO Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-CO-008), CO Rep. Monica Duran (D-CO-023), CO Rep. Sean Camacho (D-CO-006) | Wildlife, Energy | Transmission, Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Terrestrial Connectivity, GETs, Renewable Energy | Effective |
| S.4364: Establishes program and investment fund in DEP to support implementation of Wildlife Corridor Action Plan; authorizes creation of special Wildlife Corridor license plates.View Source | New Jersey | NJ Sen. Bob Smith (D-NJ-017) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| SB26-141: Wildlife Collision PreventionView Source | Colorado | CO Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-CO-008), CO Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-CO-013), CO Sen. Cleave Simpson (R-CO-006), CO Rep. Rick Taggart (R-CO-055) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Terrestrial Connectivity, Transportation and Wildlife, Connectivity and Crossing Funding | Enacted |
| A.11477: Directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state for wildlife crossingsView Source | New York | NY Assemb. Robert "Bobby" Carroll (D-NY-044) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| HF3426: Environment and natural resources trust fund finance bill.View Source | Minnesota | MN Rep. Sydney Jordan (D-MN-060A), MN Sen. Foung Hawj (D-MN-067) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Studies, Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Habitat | Effective |
| S.10404: Directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state for wildlife crossingsView Source | New York | NY Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-NY-014) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| A.5091: Establishes program and investment fund in DEP to support implementation of Wildlife Corridor Action Plan; authorizes creation of special Wildlife Corridor license plates.View Source | New Jersey | NJ Assemb. Clinton Calabrese (D-NJ-036) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Terrestrial Connectivity | Introduced or Prefiled |
| S.9741A: Enacts the "bird safe buildings act"View Source | New York | NY Sen. Brian Kavanagh (D-NY-027) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Terrestrial Connectivity | Out of Committee |
| SF4304: Outdoor Heritage FundView Source | Minnesota | MN Sen. Foung Hawj (D-MN-067) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Aquatic Connectivity, Habitat, Connectivity and Crossing Funding | Out of Committee |
| SF3857: Environment and Natural Resources Trust FundView Source | Minnesota | MN Sen. Foung Hawj (D-MN-067) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Habitat, Connectivity and Crossing Studies | Out of Committee |
| H5500: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvementsView Source | Massachusetts | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Transportation and Wildlife | Out of Committee | |
| HCR15: WILDLIFE/HABITAT: Expresses legislative support for a request by Senator John N. Kennedy to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a study addressing the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl behaviorView Source | Louisiana | LA Rep. Jeremy LaCombe (R-LA-018) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Studies, Private Land, Habitat | Out of Committee |
| S.C.R.22: Concurrent resolution; recognizing the impact of light pollution on bird mortality; encouraging Oklahomans to turn off exterior lights during the high migration intensity months.View Source | Oklahoma | OK Rep. Ellyn Hefner (D-OK-087), OK Sen. Nikki Nice (D-OK-048) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Terrestrial Connectivity | Passed Original Chamber |
| AB2590: Resource conservation: sentinel landscapes.View Source | California | CA Assemb. Jeff Gonzalez (R-CA-036) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Habitat, Terrestrial Connectivity, Private Land | Introduced or Prefiled |
| S3050: An Act to build resilience for Massachusetts communitiesView Source | Massachusetts | Wildlife, Water | Flood Resilience, Sustainable Agriculture & Water , Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Transportation and Wildlife | Out of Committee | |
| HB597: Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund; created, voluntary contributions, report.View Source | Virginia | VA Del. Shelly Simonds (D-VA-070) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Terrestrial Connectivity, Transportation and Wildlife | Effective |
| HB4134: Increases the state transient lodging tax.View Source | Oregon | OR Sen. Chris Gorsek (D-OR-025), OR Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D-OR-004), OR Sen. Lew Frederick (D-OR-022), OR Rep. Ken Helm (D-OR-027), OR Sen. Janeen Sollman (D-OR-015), OR Sen. Jeff Golden (D-OR-003), OR Rep. Mark Owens (R-OR-060), OR Rep. Susan McLain (D-OR-029), OR Rep. Jules Walters (D-OR-037), OR Sen. Todd Nash (R-OR-029) | Wildlife | Wildlife Agency Relevance and Funding, Wildlife Coexistence, Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Effective | |
| HB8151: An Act Relating To The Blue Wave Bond For Coastal Preparedness -- 2026 Bond Referendum (Proposes A Bond Measure Authorizing The State Of Rhode Island To Issue Up To $100,000,000 In General Obligation Bonds, Subject To Voter Approval, To Fund Coastal Preparedness And Resilience Projects.)View Source | Rhode Island | RI Rep. Carol McEntee (D-RI-033), RI Rep. Samuel "Sam" Azzinaro (D-RI-037), RI Rep. Brian Kennedy (D-RI-038), RI Rep. Julie Casimiro (D-RI-031), RI Rep. Terri "Terri-Denise" Cortvriend (D-RI-072), RI Rep. Brandon Potter (D-RI-016), RI Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-RI-071), RI Rep. Matthew "Matt" Dawson (D-RI-065), RI Rep. Jennifer Boylan (D-RI-066), RI Rep. Tina Spears (D-RI-036) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Habitat | Introduced or Prefiled |
| HB5520: An Act Concerning Fish Passages.View Source | Connecticut | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Aquatic Connectivity, Permitting and Process | Out of Committee | |
| H.B.412: Energy Development Planning AmendmentsView Source | Utah | UT Rep. Doug Owens (D-UT-033), UT Sen. Derrin Owens (R-UT-027) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Terrestrial Connectivity, Renewable Energy | Effective |
| S.C.R.124: Wildlife crossingsView Source | Idaho | ID Sen. Treg Bernt (R-ID-021), ID Rep. James Petzke (R-ID-021) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Effective | |
| SB 5203: Ensuring connectivity for Washington wildlife through safe passages.View Source | Washington | WA Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-WA-032) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Terrestrial Connectivity, Coordination, Connectivity and Crossing Studies, Habitat, Transportation and Wildlife, Permitting and Process | Passed Original Chamber |
| HF3879: Outdoor heritage fund; prior appropriations extended and modified, and money appropriated.View Source | Minnesota | MN Rep. Samantha "Sam" Vang (D-MN-038B) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Aquatic Connectivity, Habitat, Connectivity and Crossing Funding | Introduced or Prefiled |
| SF0052: 2026 large project funding.View Source | Wyoming | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Terrestrial Connectivity, Habitat, Aquatic Connectivity | Effective | |
| L.B.1186: Adopt the Affordable American Energy and Jobs Act and change distribution provisions relating to the nameplate capacity taxView Source | Nebraska | NE Sen. John Cavanaugh (NE-009) | Wildlife, Energy | Distributed Solar and Batteries, Emerging Energy Technologies, Utilities and the Grid, Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | DER Regulatory Reform, Utility Scale Siting and Permitting, Terrestrial Connectivity, Energy Storage, Renewable Energy | Introduced or Prefiled |
| H.C.R.26: Wildlife crossingsView Source | Idaho | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Coordination, Terrestrial Connectivity, Transportation and Wildlife | Out of Committee | |
| SR 1800: Florida Wildlife Corridor DayView Source | Florida | FL Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-FL-010) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Habitat, Terrestrial Connectivity | Introduced or Prefiled |
| HB0148: Land, Water and Fiscal Integrity Act.View Source | Wyoming | WY Rep. Kevin Campbell (R-WY-062) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| HB641: Virginia's Great Outdoors Act; established, creates data center land conservation tax.View Source | Virginia | VA Del. Paul Krizek (D-VA-016) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Terrestrial Connectivity, Habitat | Introduced or Prefiled |
| H.B. 596: Wildlife Corridor Action Plan; interagency implementation group, report.View Source | Virginia | VA Del. Shelly Simonds (D-VA-070) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Terrestrial Connectivity, Coordination, Transportation and Wildlife | Introduced or Prefiled |
| SB 6154: Concerning local government permits for replacing existing culverts.View Source | Washington | WA Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-WA-032) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Permitting and Process, Aquatic Connectivity | Introduced or Prefiled |
| H.J.R.22: A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to study the efficacy of planting mint along highways to mitigate motor vehicle collisions with wildlife.View Source | Kentucky | KY Rep. Deanna Gordon (R-KY-081) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Terrestrial Connectivity, Connectivity and Crossing Studies, Transportation and Wildlife | Introduced or Prefiled |
| H.B.285: Local Planning and Regulation Impacts on Wildlife AmendmentsView Source | Utah | UT Rep. Doug Owens (D-UT-033) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Land Use Planning, Terrestrial Connectivity | Introduced or Prefiled |
| HF2063: A bill for an act creating a study committee on implementing wildlife crossings at certain highway locations.View Source | Iowa | IA Rep. Sean Bagniewski (D-IA-035) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Terrestrial Connectivity, Coordination, Connectivity and Crossing Studies, Transportation and Wildlife | Introduced or Prefiled |
| HSB562: A bill for an act creating a study committee on the feasibility of implementing wildlife crossings at certain highway locations.View Source | Iowa | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Terrestrial Connectivity, Coordination, Connectivity and Crossing Studies, Transportation and Wildlife | Introduced or Prefiled | |
| SB393: Virginia's Great Outdoors Act; established, creates data center land conservation tax.View Source | Virginia | VA Sen. Russet Perry (D-VA-031) | Wildlife | Wildlife Connectivity and Crossings | Connectivity and Crossing Funding, Terrestrial Connectivity, Habitat | Introduced or Prefiled |
No matching bills.
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Related Resources
State of the States: A Look at How Far U.S. State Habitat Connectivity Legislation Has Advanced and What is Working
Explore 25 years of connectivity legislation and case studies showcasing successful approaches. Learn more about the impact of federal policy, the role of wildlife corridors, the importance of coordination among government agencies, tribes, NGOs, and other partners, and the need for funding to support wildlife connectivity projects. This report was produced in collaboration with Wildlands Network.
Wildlife Corridors & Crossings Fact Sheet
Wildlife corridors and crossings are a vital and cost effective way to maintain resilient landscapes for fish and wildlife. Crossings can be in the form of highway overpasses, underpasses, or culverts, which provide safe crossings and genetic dispersal for plants and animals. Corridors are large areas of undeveloped habitat that connect critical core habitats, allowing for animal movement and healthy genetic dispersal. Many state legislatures and agencies have championed corridors and crossings, with a recent increase in activity following several new federal funding opportunities. These include the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, which allocates billions of dollars for wildlife crossing infrastructure, and the America the Beautiful Challenge, a new 5-year $116 million competitive grant program which supports a range of conservation projects and includes habitat connectivity as a core tenet.
Wildlife Corridors Policy Options
The United States is home to a rich array of wildlife. Both habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors play a vital role in species survival as well as in preserving ecological functions such as healthy water supplies.
Representative Ken Helm Spotlight
Representative Ken Helm sponsored Oregon HB 2834 requiring the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, to establish a Wildlife Corridor Action Plan. The plan will be used by state agencies to set benchmarks to ensure wildlife habitat connectivity and increased public safety on major roadways.
Senator Dave Marsden Spotlight
Senator Dave Marsden sponsored Virginia SB 1004 creating the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan. The plan instructs the state Department of Transportation to identify wildlife corridor sites for future construction.
Senator Mimi Stewart Spotlight
Senator Mimi Stewart sponsored New Mexico’s SB 228 which authorizes the state Department of Game and Fish and the Department of Transportation to make recommendations to eliminate barriers to wildlife migration in a way that protects animal and human safety through a Wildlife Corridor Action Plan.
Senator David Watters Spotlight
Senator David Watters sponsored New Hampshire SB 200 requiring the recognition and protection of wildlife corridors and habitat strongholds as a public good.
Online Resources
Explore this interactive article about how highways are barriers for wildlife and how corridors can provide them an easier path.
The National Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act was passed by the House in 2020 as part of the Moving Forward Act.
Wildlife Connectivity and Environmental Justice
Projects that reconnect fragmented wildlife habitats can increase the mobility, outdoor access, and overall well-being of human communities.
Highways as a Form of Oppression
Like highways cut through wildlife habitats, many highways were routed through Black and Brown neighborhoods. This practice fragmented communities of color and increased exposure to air, light, and sound pollution. Wildlife connectivity projects over roadways can help address this legacy of highways as a tool of racial oppression. (npr.org)
Outdoor Equity
Projects that reconnect fragmented habitats – such as wildlife crossings – also help to boost access to green spaces and beneficial environmental services for nature-deprived communities. (frontiersin.org)
Segregation and Wildlife Health
Residential racial segregation has resulted in communities of color being home to smaller, more fragmented, and less genetically diverse wildlife populations. (pnas.org)
What Members Say
“NEC has been the place where I have learned the most about wildlife, conservation, and even energy throughout my entire 26 years in the legislature. Most of my really great ideas have been hatched by talking to NEC staff, by meeting with other legislators all over the nation, by hearing about some of the great successes and the failures that everyone has had with their work on the environment. NEC has absolutely been front and center in my legislative life with the successes that I’ve had.”
Senator Mimi Stewart
New Mexico
“The information sharing and expertise that NEC provides about proposals and actions taken by other states has been invaluable. Not only has NEC been helpful in connecting like-minded legislators, the identification of multiple strategies and example programs gave me a tool kit to choose from in crafting our approach in Oregon. If NEC were not here to make those connections, I’m not sure we could have done that on our own.”
Representative Ken Helm
Oregon
“With NEC’s support, we were able to assemble a terrific group of organizations, advocates, and scientists from across the political spectrum to work on legislation that would authorize a study of existing corridors, identifying their owners, condition, and need for maintenance, as well as where additional corridors were needed. Together, we approached corridors from the collective perspective of wanting to protect Pennsylvania’s rich natural environment in a holistic manner.”
Representative Mary Jo Daley
Pennsylvania
“I learned about wildlife corridors at the 2018 NEC Forum and was interested in the concept for Virginia. NEC provided useful information on other states’ bills and options for action.”
Senator Dave Marsden
Virginia
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