"The continental scale is where truly exhilarating visions for nature protection are possible."  

This sentiment from Wildlands Network founder and renowned conservation biologist Michael Soulé is central to all our work. Scientists have long recognized networks of continuous habitat as a fundamental solution to preserving healthy ecosystems. We call these networks Wildways, and our on-the-ground research and collaborative projects in the Eastern, Western and Pacific Wildways are making strides toward restoring and protecting natural spaces for wildlife across North America.

But we wouldn't be here without the support of people like you, who also care deeply about the future of wildlife on our continent. Please make a gift to our 2019-2020 Annual Fund Campaign today to sustain and bolster this important progress. Your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 by the Biophilia Foundation.

Policy Progress in the Pacific Wildway

Oregon has the West Coast’s highest rate of wildlife-vehicle collisions. But road travel in the Beaver State could soon be safer for both people and animals, thanks to wildlife corridor legislation signed by Governor Kate Brown earlier this year. Wildlands Network worked with partners to secure the passage of House Bill 2834, which aims to reduce collisions by mapping Oregon's major wildlife corridors and creating a plan to protect them. This is legislation is an important step in our efforts to inform and catalyze new science-based public policy to benefit wildlife.

Withstanding Walls in the Western Wildway

Political boundaries are meaningless to wild animals, whose natural migrations long-preceded human check stations and border walls. Barriers—both physical and ideological—also shape transboundary conservation efforts between the United States and Mexico. Our Mexico and Western Program Director Juan Carlos Bravo recently authored a paper elucidating the challenges and opportunities for furthering ecological preservation in the borderlands.

Studying Elk in the Eastern Wildway

Our Road Ecology Coordinator Dr. Liz Hillard works to ensure safe passage for wildlife along roads in North Carolina. She and partners at the National Parks Conservation Association use camera traps to learn how and where animals—like the elk above—cross roads. Busy highways create barriers to elk movement, increasing the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions. With this research we can better advocate for animal crossing structures and other measures to connect wild spaces and improve safety for both wildlife and people.