The California Department of Transportation reports that wildlife living in the Golden State’s biodiverse environment are getting a helping hand from Caltrans and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California is implementing a strategy to address wildlife connectivity barriers across the state’s vast transportation network. The effort aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s vision to lead the world in protecting and restoring biodiversity.
Caltrans developed the Wildlife Connectivity Report, which identified more than 140 locations across the state with opportunities to improve wildlife connectivity. Species such as the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, the desert bighorn sheep and the San Joaquin kit fox are often barred or restricted from their natural migration patterns because roads and fences interrupt their surroundings.
“Caltrans is seeking opportunities to better integrate our highway system with the state’s diverse natural environment,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “It is our responsibility to improve passageways for wildlife that live and migrate along our shared ecosystem, and remediation efforts highlighted in this report will help honor our goal to provide a world class transportation system that serves all people and respects the environment.”
“Habitat connectivity is one of the most critical issues we’re confronting in the 21st century to maintain California’s biodiversity and healthy fish and wildlife populations,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “We have to find ways for fish and wildlife to move safely across the landscape — to prevent inbreeding and increase genetic diversity, to escape poor habitat burned by wildfire or parched by a warming climate, to prevent vehicle collisions on busy roadways. That’s why we are excited to partner with Caltrans to help provide solutions and create the opportunity for wildlife to move safely.”
Numerous proposed projects are designed to remediate fish and wildlife barriers and help approximately 180 native, endangered or threatened animal species to move more freely and have better access to their natural habitats. Caltrans is looking to construct dozens of migration corridors adjacent to state highways and interstates.
More information on the state’s efforts to improve wildlife connectivity is available on the fish and wildlife connectivity page and the terrestrial habitat connectivity page.
Information provided by California Department of Transportation