Parks Group Applauds Bipartisan Support for Reducing Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions

WASHINGTON – The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) commended leadership by a bipartisan group of senators who recently introduced legislation to reauthorize the Wildlife Crossings Program. The crossings program, which is set to expire in 2026, was passed under the 2021 infrastructure spending bill to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and support enhanced connectivity to help animals adapt to the changing climate.

“NPCA supports this solutions-focused policy that would benefit public safety and national park wildlife alike,” said National Parks Conservation Association Legislative Director Christina Hazard. “From elk herds at Theodore Roosevelt to black bears in Catoctin Mountain, our national parks provide habitat for an incredible range of wildlife, which also supports strong tourism and outdoor recreation economies.

Each year an estimated 1-2 million collisions with large species result in close to 30,000 human injuries and hundreds of fatalities. These accidents add up to $8 billion in costs to Americans.

NPCA advocates for transportation policy that addresses wildlife collisions and will improve roadways to allow for wildlife corridors at places like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and adjacent national forests. By identifying where animals naturally cross these dangerous highways, the organization and its partners help find solutions for safe wildlife passages to reduce deadly wildlife-vehicle collisions that impact bears, elk and other species.

Senators Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cramer (R-N.D.), Merkley (D-Ore.), and Curtis (R-Utah) introduced the bipartisan legislation this week, along with a similar bill by Senators Heinrich (D-NM) and Sheehy (R-MT). A bipartisan companion bill in the House is led by Representatives Beyer (D-VA) and Zinke (R-MT).

“In a time where common ground is hard to come by, polling results found that 87% of Americans support restoring or preserving wildlife habitat connectivity and improving migration corridors on lands and waters within and beyond park borders,” said Hazard. “NPCA urges Congress to support and advance this incredible investment in America’s national parks.”

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.