By Alex Rivera
As biodiversity declines, it is imperative that we do all that we can to allow native wildlife to intermingle with one another and increase genetic diversity. Wildlife corridors can vary from over- and underpasses planted with native flora, to woodland strips connecting forests across farmlands, to streams that allow amphibian and turtle migration, to fish ladders to help fish get past dams, to designated areas to plant milkweed to aid monarch migration. All such sites would help to reverse the effects of human infrastructure on biodiversity and genetic diversity amongst populations of native wildlife by allowing populations of wildlife to reach each other across fragmented habitats. These wildlife corridors would be beneficial to human beings as well. For example, Pennsylvania drivers have a whopping one in fifty-four chance of hitting a deer every time that they drive, according to data collected by car insurance companies in 2021. The installation of wildlife corridors on roads where collisions with deer are common would help to decrease such collisions, which would keep both humans and animals out of harm's way. This video shows a wildlife corridor in action.
The INVEST in America Act has set aside funds for states to create structures for wildlife. Currently, a bipartisan bill to create wildlife corridors in Pennsylvania is moving its way through the state legislature. Wildlife corridors that have been built in other regions have paid for themselves by reducing the cost of insurance due to decreased vehicle collisions with wildlife. Wildlife corridors in Pennsylvania would also help to support outdoor recreation by preserving nature. In turn, this helps to support jobs for thousands of people in recreation. It is important that we take steps to encourage Pennsylvania legislators to support wildlife corridors, as they are incredibly beneficial to animals and humans alike.
This blog was included as part of the May 2022 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!