Our focus on this episode is wildlife crossings, underpasses or bridges built just for animals. Millions of animals are killed by vehicles annually on U.S. roads, ranging from large mammals like deer to smaller creatures like squirrels and birds. 

Animal-vehicle collisions result in about 200 human deaths and 26,000 injuries each year.

Joining the podcast to discuss the issue are Matt Skroch, director of Pew’s U.S. Conservation Project for the western U.S. and Alaska; Senator Mimi Stewart, a Democrat from New Mexico; and Rep. Katie Zolnikov, a Republican from Montana. 

Skroch explained the dimensions of the problem and why a nation with about 4 million miles of roadway has a significant challenge with vehicle-animal collisions. He also noted that states are studying and acting on the issue. 

In fact, nine states have enacted legislation related to wildlife crossings since 2020. I asked Senator Stewart and Representative Zolnikov, both of whom sponsored legislation on wildlife crossings in their states, to explain how state lawmakers are tackling the issue.

Stewart discussed the extensive planning that was done in New Mexico and how the fund received $50 million for this legislative year, the largest single amount appropriated for crossings in any state in a single year.

Zolnikov explained that Montana is No. 2 in vehicle-animal collisions in the country on a per capita basis and how the state is building up its fund to pay for crossings.

Resources

• Pew U.S. Conservation Project