The North Carolina General Assembly has just appropriated a historic $10.2 million for wildlife crossings and mitigation strategies in the state’s budget.
North Carolina first made a landmark $2 million appropriation in 2023, making the state’s first dedicated fund for wildlife crossings. Now, lawmakers have voted to establish a permanent funding source, which will funnel $10.2 million into wildlife crossing efforts every two years.
The state joins a handful of others in allocating state resources to build structures like wildlife overpasses and underpasses, including Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and more.
A coalition of nearly 20 federal, state, tribal, and nonprofits called the Safe Passage Coalition has been working since 2017 to make North Carolina and Tennessee mountain highways safer for wildlife and humans.
The coalition originally formed to advocate for wildlife connectivity in the Pigeon River Gorge area, where I-40 intersects with one of North Carolina’s most important wildlife corridors.
The Gorge provides critical habitat for animals like black bears, elk, bobcats, white-tailed deer, and more, moving through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests, and along the Southern Appalachian Mountains, the Safe Passage Coalition explained.
This new funding mechanism is a major victory for every stakeholder involved.
“What began as a vision to reconnect one of North Carolina’s most important wildlife corridors has resulted in a historic, statewide effort to make roads safer for people while conserving the wildlife and natural heritage that define North Carolina,” Nikki Robinson of Wildlands Network said in a statement.
“Safe Passage thanks members of the General Assembly and all partners who supported this historic investment in conservation for future generations,” Jill Gottesman with The Wilderness Society, added.
“We look forward to helping implement projects that make North Carolina’s transportation system safer and more connected for both people and wildlife.”
North Carolina is one of the most biologically diverse states in the nation, especially in areas like Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee.
However, as roads and development continue to separate habitats, wild animals often have no choice but to attempt to cross busy mountain highways, risking their lives.
“The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and connected landscapes are havens for iconic wildlife,” Jeff Hunter, National Parks Conservation Association’s Southern Appalachian Director, said in a statement. “But animals need room to roam, and when they roam onto roadways, the results can be catastrophic.”
In the U.S., there are up to 2 million wildlife-vehicle collisions every year, resulting in billions of dollars in property damage — and loss of life. North Carolina is ranked as the 12th highest state for these collisions, with over 62,000 reported between 2021 and 2023.
Wildlife crossings — like highway overpasses and underpasses — are a proven solution to prevent these collisions, reducing accidents by up to 90% and bridging fragmented habitats so wildlife can travel safely.
"North Carolina is leading by example through this historic $10.2 million investment to reduce the impacts of roads on iconic and imperiled wildlife alike — from the black bear to the endangered red wolf,” Ben Prater, southeast program director at Defenders of Wildlife, said.
“These recurring funds will provide resources to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions, helping to protect motorists and enhance habitat connectivity for wildlife."
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Featured Image: Courtesy of Smokies Safe Passage Coalition
