Wildlife Crossings on HWY 395
Date: 06/21/2024
State: NV
Issues: Urban Planning, Wildlife
Partners: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nevada Department of Transportation, Wildlands Network
Airport Origin : Reno, NV
Mission
We flew above pristine wildlife habitat bifurcated by HWY 395, where many wildlife-vehicle collisions are common with NV DOT, CA Dep. of Fish & Wildlife, Wildlands Network, and BCHA to advocate for the construction of wildlife crossings.
Highway 395 is often referred to as California’s backbone and provides a critical link between communities throughout the Sierra Nevada. On one side of the road, the peaks of the Sierra jut up against the sky and on the other, rolling hills of sage provide winter forage for the many species that inhabitant the Eastern Sierra. The highway poses a huge barrier to mule deer, bear, coyotes, and mountain lions, who must risk their lives, while endangering human lives, to move between the rich habitat on both sides of 395. Multiple herds of mule deer cross the highway twice a year during their seasonal migrations.
To facilitate wildlife movement, EcoFlight’s partners are working to improve existing wildlife crossings and construct new under-crossings and over-crossings. Thank you for your dedication to increase habitat connectivity and improve safety for Californians and wildlife.
Thank you for joining us to fly and work together to protect our communities, working lands, and wildlife!
Click for photos, aerial footage from the flight, or geo-referenced photos from the flight.