Wildlife Connectivity Report Reveals California’s Bold Approach to Reconnecting Animal Habitats Along State Highway System – edhat

Caltrans and Department of Fish and Wildlife Working Together to Ease Migration Barriers for California Wildlife

The wildlife that make their home in the Golden State’s biodiverse environment is getting a helping hand from Caltrans and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). California is implementing a strategy to address wildlife connectivity barriers to the state’s vast transportation network. The effort aligns with Governor Gavin Newsom’s vision to lead the world in protecting and restoring biodiversity.

“Caltrans is looking for 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 the pathways of wildlife that live and migrate throughout our shared ecosystem, and the repair efforts highlighted in this report will help fulfill our goal of providing a world-class transportation system that serve all people and respect the environment”.

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 big desert sheep, and the San Joaquin fox are often prohibited or restricted from their natural migration patterns because roads and fences disrupt their environments.

“Habitat connectivity is one of the most critical issues we face in the 21st century to maintain California’s biodiversity and healthy fish and wildlife populations,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “We need to find ways for fish and wildlife to move safely across the landscape: to avoid inbreeding and increase genetic diversity, to escape poor habitat burned by wildfires or parched by a warming climate, to avoid collisions from vehicles to busy roads. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Caltrans to help provide solutions and create the opportunity for wildlife to move safely.”

Numerous proposed projects are designed to remedy fish and wildlife barriers and help approximately 180 native, endangered, or threatened animal species move more freely and have better access to their natural habitats. Caltrans is looking to build dozens of migration corridors adjacent to state and interstate highways. They include a new bridge crossing State Route 97 in Siskiyou County, a new bridge on Interstate 15 in San Bernadino County and an expanded culvert under Interstate 10 in Los Angeles County. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over US 101 in Southern California is expected to be completed in 2026.

To learn more about the state’s efforts to improve wildlife connectivity, see the Fish and Wildlife Connectivity page or visit the Terrestrial Habitat Connectivity page.