25 Years of Trends & Drivers of State Habitat Connectivity Legislation

Biodiversity loss and climate change are two of the planet's most critical issues. Habitat connectivity and wildlife crossings are nature-based solutions that can help address this crisis. ​

Habitat connectivity refers to the degree to which landscapes facilitate the movement of species and ecological processes across different habitats. ​ It is crucial for critical ecological processes like pollination, nutrient cycling, and gene flow. ​

By conserving habitat connectivity, we can help wildlife adapt to our changing climate and reduce the risk of species becoming endangered. ​ Moreover, intact habitats provide essential ecosystem services to human communities, such as flood risk reduction and access to nature. ​

In this report, we delve into the history and catalysts driving 25 years of connectivity legislation and offer different pathways to pursuing connectivity policy. ​ We also provide case studies of states that have successfully implemented various approaches to state habitat connectivity legislation.

Some key highlights from the report include:

• The impact of federal policy and funding on the interest, introduction, and passage of state habitat connectivity legislation over the past 25 years. ​

• The role of wildlife corridors and wildlife crossings in enabling wildlife movement and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. ​

• The importance of coordination among government agencies, tribes, NGOs, and other partners to address habitat connectivity issues. ​

• The need for funding to support wildlife crossing projects, including planning, construction, and monitoring. ​

• The significance of studies in identifying wildlife corridors, crossing sites, and the benefits of improving habitat connectivity. ​