NY Passes the Wildlife Crossing Act & How You Can Help Advocate Nationwide
Good news from New York! The legislature has passed the Wildlife Crossing Act, which means the state will now be able to secure federal funds allocated for wildlife crossings nationwide. The bill directs the New York State Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority to identify critical areas for crossing structures on highways, thruways, and parkways and apply for funds to start making the crossings a reality.
The Rewilding Institute worked with the Wildlands Network and other partners to convince state legislators to pass the bill. We see crossings as essential to helping diverse wildlife move safely across landscapes in search of food and mates. This “room to roam” increases their survival, genetic diversity, and resilience to development and climate change. Wildlife crossings also save human lives by preventing collisions with deer and other animals.
New York’s Governor still has to sign the bill for it to become law. We will continue working to make sure that happens.
Learn about how you can help advocate for critical wildlife crossings nationwide in an upcoming webinar hosted by the Wildlands Network on June 10 at 1 pm Central Time. Learn more and register: https://www.wildlandsnetwork.org/events/advocate-for-wildlife-crossings
Nadia Steinzor is an environmental consultant with 25 years of experience in policy analysis, research, writing, and communications. She has developed and managed projects to investigate the oil and gas industry’s impact on the climate and communities, secure governmental protections for air, water, land, and wildlife, and engage the public in advocacy efforts. Nadia works with the Rewilding Institute to ensure that wolves and other carnivores thrive and roam in the Northeast and beyond. Nadia holds an M.S. in environmental policy from the Bard College Center for Environmental Policy.