Reconnecting Wildlife

Wildlife crossings reconnect fragmented habitats, saving animals and protecting drivers. Let’s build a safer, healthier Oregon.

ODFW | Public Domain

Imagine you’re an elk, standing majestically at the edge of a bustling highway. You see the trees you need to reach on the other side, but cars speed past, blurring into danger. Your instincts tell you to move, but the risk is life-threatening. Every year, thousands of animals across Oregon face this same dilemma. Humans have crisscrossed critical habitat with more than 70,000 miles of roads and highways in Oregon, splitting apart areas that once provided food, shelter, and migration paths for myriad species. Now, these paths have become death traps.

Wildlife is at a crossroads

Animals such as deer, elk, threatened frogs and more are forced to gamble with their lives to navigate these man-made barriers. For some, the stakes are higher: Over 50 species considered of greatest conservation need are among those navigating our highways. Each year, there are more than 7,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions in Oregon. These crashes often prove fatal for wildlife but they also threaten drivers – resulting in an average of 4 human fatalities and 521 serious injuries annually — disrupt ecosystems, and destroy the natural balance that Oregon’s environment depends on.

Simon Wray, ODFW | Public Domain

A lifeline for animals

There is hope. Wildlife crossings — specially designed overpasses and underpasses — offer a way forward. These crossings reconnect fragmented habitats, allowing animals to move safely and freely. Crossings like those on U.S. 97 have reduced deer-vehicle collisions by more than 90%, proving their effectiveness in saving both wildlife and human lives. For the animals, it’s a lifeline. For people, it’s a shield from the dangers of wildlife-related accidents.

The science is clear: Wildlife crossings work. Not only do they protect individual animals, but they also preserve entire ecosystems. When animals can migrate without obstruction, they fulfill their roles in maintaining the health of forests, rivers, and meadows. This interconnectedness reflects a broader principle: the vision of balance and abundance, where thoughtful design allows both nature and humanity to thrive.

Building bridges, saving lives

Despite the success of existing crossings, Oregon needs more. Areas with endangered species and high collision rates must be prioritized. This requires bold leadership and collaboration between the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW), scientists and local communities.

We’re working with a broad coalition to support legislation like House Bill 2978, which proposes vital updates to Oregon’s wildlife connectivity standards, including improved collaboration between agencies, updated design guidelines, and targeted training programs to ensure effective implementation.

One way Oregon could these critical projects, would be by allocating $5 million annually through a reinstatement of an excise tax on highway-use tires. This investment would enable the construction of 20 additional wildlife crossings over the next 30 years. With wildlife-vehicle collisions costing Oregonians an estimated $114 million annually from deer collisions alone, these crossings are not just a solution for animals—they’re a cost-effective investment in public safety and environmental health. 

In December 2024, Oregon secured $33 million in federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program grants for the I-5 overpass near Ashland. These funds were only possible due to state investments, underscoring the importance of maintaining state matching funds to leverage future federal opportunities.

By raising our voices, we can advocate for the resources needed to build a robust network of wildlife crossings, ensuring a safer, healthier future for all Oregonians.

Photo by ODOT | Public Domain

Photo by ODOT | Public Domain

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Uniting for Oregon’s future

Every day we delay action, more animals lose their lives, and our ecosystems edge closer to irreparable harm. Wildlife crossings are more than concrete structures; they’re bridges of hope, connecting the present to a future where nature flourishes alongside human progress.

Let’s not miss this opportunity. Together, we can create an Oregon where wildlife moves freely and safely, where ecosystems thrive, and where roads no longer divide but unite. It’s time to act, to protect our wildlife, our communities and the delicate balance that sustains us all.

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Authors

Justin Boyles

Conservation Advocate, Environment Oregon

As the Conservation Advocate for Environment Oregon, Justin runs our campaign to protect and restore Oregon’s special places and the myriad wildlife that call them home. Justin has worked on campaigns to protect the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, clean up superfund sites along the Willamette River and promote solar energy in Oregon. In recent years, he was part of the Public Interest Network’s Creative and Editorial team where he developed campaign logos and materials connected to dozens of campaigns, turned deep-dive research into digestible interactive features for our websites, and created myriad tools for campaigns to help win real results for the environment and the public interest. Justin lives in Portland with his children where they regularly explore the diversity that Oregon’s environment has to offer: From the coast to the high desert and the many amazing rivers, lakes, forests and mountains in between.