Because a transportation stimulus will likely lead to thousands of new roadbuilding projects, it makes economic and biological sense to increase investment in wildlife mitigation measures at the same time to reduce the environmental and social impacts. It would require additional professional engineering, design, surveying and biological evaluation and inputs.Ĭonstructing crossings is less costly when done concurrently with other infrastructure projects. As the table below shows, crossing infrastructure would also use metals, timber, earth, steel, wiring and vegetation. Roadbuilding inputs for many traditional projects are limited to paving equipment, cement, gravel and asphalt and construction personnel. Normal infrastructure projects like road building have a narrow set of beneficiaries as shown in the Council of Economic Advisors figure below. These projects would provide bigger pieces of the pie to industries and workers that are too often left out during traditional roadbuilding. These findings show why wildlife-friendly infrastructure should be part of future stimulus proposals. Researchers have repeatedly found that structural highway mitigation measures for wildlife had positive cost-benefit values and quick investment re-capitalization. Wildlife infrastructure projects like animal road crossings have the same benefits. Sustained infrastructure spending can produce economy-wide returns of close to $3 per every $1 invested over a 10- to 15-year recovery period.

Such an effort will help stitch disparate patches of habitat together into an ecological fabric that will help conserve our natural heritage and be a critical step in protecting America’s biodiversity.” Wilson made this point clear as well: “We call upon members of Congress to protect those crucial areas that allow our native plants and animals to move and adjust to change. It is crucial that our policy makers invest in projects that benefit wildlife.įamed naturalist E.O. Connectivity improvements like corridors and crossings increase species movement, improve genetic health, boost population numbers and make vulnerable species stronger and more resilient. Wildlife corridors are also one of the best tools for wildlife biologists to address the climate crisis. Similarly restoring and maintaining roads on public lands can minimize impacts and improve ecosystem health.Īs Congress works to pass landmark infrastructure and transportation legislation, it should (1) pass the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act, (2) create a wildlife crossings pilot program to provide grants to states and (3) fund road improvements on public lands. Wildlife crossings structures like overpasses, underpasses and road improvements tie these priorities together. The White House specifically mentioned the need to address roads, bridges and natural infrastructure. The American Jobs Plan, proposed by President Biden this spring, aims to invest in infrastructure, create jobs and stimulate the economy. But wildlife corridors and crossings would help promote connectivity. Development, habitat fragmentation and wildlife-vehicle collisions continue to devastate the populations of several iconic species like the Florida Panther, ocelot, monarch butterfly, Pacific salmon and desert tortoise.

Florida panther highway underpass