Curated reading inspired by the outdoors.

When wildlife safety turns into fierce political debate (Crossing to Safety)

Post author By scout
Post date January 6, 2020

A white-tailed buck is backlit by headlights moments before it dashes across rush-hour traffic on Hillview Way in Missoula, Montana. Deer are frequently hit along this busy street as it bisects two islands of open space amid growing neighborhoods. During 2016 renovations to this key arterial, the city installed streetlights in part to help traffic spot wildlife, as well as a pedestrian/wildlife underpass at Moose Can Gully. That narrow tunnel of concrete, though, isn’t used very often by deer. Soon they won’t have as much incentive to cross; in November, the city approved construction of 68 townhouses which will cover most of the grassy meadow below Hillview.

Why would a community experiencing many wildlife collisions reject wildlife crossing projects? The voters of Island Sky, Idaho will tell you.

Read: When wildlife safety turns into fierce political debate (Crossing to Safety) — High Country News – Know the West

Tags conservation, wildlife, wildlife corridors