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Our Work to Build Corridors for Wildlife

We may know better than to cross a busy highway. Unfortunately wildlife do not.

On U.S. highways, a vehicle hits an animal at least every 26 seconds.

Road mortality is a serious threat to 21 federally listed endangered and threatened species.

National Wildlife Federation is working hard to confront this heartbreaking problem and you can help.

Help us create safe pathways and roads for wildlife by donating through our "Choose Your Cause" campaign. >>

Wildlife At Risk

Animals like the moose, lynx, black bear and bobcat need large areas of land to roam--for sufficient food, safe cover and to mate. But the wild places animals rely on are being fragmented by roads, man-made structures and other threats. As a result, thousands of animals have died trying to reach food, water, shelter and breeding sites.

Examples of Wildlife Conflicts:

Maintenance workers in Vermont reported following a bear that was desperately trying to get off the road but couldn't find a gap in the guardrail.
In Northern New England, motorists reported swerving around a cow moose and her calf that frequently came down to lick the road salt throughout the winter.
Traffic noise prevents some songbirds and marsh-nesting birds from locating mates and discourages nesting and the rearing of young.
Some species of nocturnal frogs will avoid roads because of the lighting.

Animal-vehicle accidents cost $1 billion annually in property damage and cause an average of 165 human deaths. -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

What We're Doing to Provide Safe Pathways for Wildlife

National Wildlife Federation is working to provide pathways that wildlife can use to cross vast expanses of key habitat. Many of these solutions are low cost and improve motorist safety. We're working with landowners, government officials and other partners to:

Build strategic gaps in guardrails.
Create underpasses, bridges and culverts for safer crossing.
Reduce attractive roadside chemical deposits.
Improve land management to reduce habitat fragmentation.
Install signage to warn motorists of animal crossings.
Reduce speed limits and increase sight distances.

The above photo shows an example of a corridor that helps wildlife cross under a Montana highway.

Featured Campaign:

Identifying Critical Paths for Vermont Wildlife

NWF's Northeast Regional Center is spearheading efforts to make safe pathways for wildlife in the pristine Worcester Mountains of Vermont, where some of the most deadly road crossings in America can be found. This Critical Paths Project is a model project that seeks to identify critical wildlife road crossings in the State of Vermont. Once identified, we work with transportation officials to implement solutions that help reconnect habitat and protect wildlife.