OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation, has launched a new program to tackle wildlife-vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation.
WDFW said in a release that the Washington Habitat Connectivity Action Plan (WAHCAP) was created to protect and restore wildlife movement through safer road crossings and land conservation.
“Wildlife don’t stop at county lines or property fences,” said Julia Michalak, WDFW’s priority habitats and species section manager. “This plan gives Washington a common map and shared tools so that people across the state – local planners, landowners, tribal governments, state and federal agencies – can work together to reconnect the land.”
Every year, thousands of animals in Washington are hit by vehicles, leading to injuries, costly damage and wildlife deaths, including endangered species.
The plan identifies 38 high-priority road segments for wildlife crossings and fencing, aiming to reduce collisions and restore movement corridors.
Additionally, WAHCAP outlines 13 large connected landscapes critical for ecological connectivity and offers regional planning tools with interactive maps to assist governments and landowners.
The full plan and interactive maps are available on the WDFW website.
