Bridging the Pass: Outreach to Ensure Wildlife Movement Across Highway 3

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) has been working with Miistakis Institute for the Rockies (Miistakis) and Western Transportation Institute (WTI) to identify where wildlife movements intersect with Highway 3, and to develop a suite of mitigation recommendations. These recommendations, based on expert opinion, may include measures such as fencing, wildlife over- or under-passes, reduced speed limits, and increased signage. Implementing these recommendations will require the active support of a variety of actors, particularly provincial transportation agencies, local decision-makers, land trusts, environmental conservation organizations, and local citizens. As the research approaches completion, it is time to communicate the results and the environmental, safety, and economic benefits of mitigation options. The Alberta Ecotrust funding will help the partnering organizations share the research findings and recommendations with a wide array of stakeholders through workshops, presentations, and the local and regional media. This cooperative approach will increase the likelihood that mitigation solutions will be implemented as highway upgrades proceed.