Virginia’s Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund Signed into Law

With the Governor’s signing of HB597, which establishes the Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund, Virginia has taken a significant step forward in addressing one of its most persistent and preventable transportation challenges: wildlife-vehicle collisions.

The fund gives Virginians two new voluntary opportunities to contribute directly to wildlife crossing projects when filing income taxes and when completing online transactions at the DMV. Contributions to the fund will support projects that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and reconnect fragmented habitat.

In a state where rapid development intersects with some of the most biologically rich and diverse habitats in the eastern United States, wildlife-vehicle collisions carry both a significant environmental and financial toll. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, deer collisions alone average more than $40,000 per incident, while elk collisions exceed $80,000 when accounting for vehicle damage, injury impacts, and emergency response. Wildlife crossings can reduce these collisions by up to 80-100% percent, making them a high-impact investment in both safety and conservation.

With this action, Virginia now has a durable tool to move wildlife crossing projects from planning into implementation while giving residents a direct way to support safer roads and healthier landscapes.