New state plan aims to reconnect wildlife, improve road safety across Washington

OLYMPIA — A new statewide strategy to improve road safety and restore critical wildlife habitat has been released by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

The Washington Habitat Connectivity Action Plan (WAHCAP) provides a coordinated framework for reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, restoring habitat connectivity, and helping wildlife species adapt to climate change by identifying key areas where roads and development have fragmented ecosystems.

“Wildlife don’t stop at county lines or property fences,” said Julia Michalak, WDFW’s priority habitats and species section manager. “This plan gives Washington a common map and shared tools so that people across the state – local planners, landowners, tribal governments, state and federal agencies – can work together to reconnect the land.”

Each year, thousands of animals are struck and killed on Washington roads, leading to injuries, property damage, and the loss of wildlife—including species listed as threatened or endangered. As human activity expands and climate pressures increase, state officials say reconnected landscapes will be critical to long-term wildlife survival.

The action plan introduces several new tools and priorities, including:

• High-Priority Road Segments: WAHCAP identifies 38 specific highway sections where measures such as wildlife overpasses, fencing, and culvert retrofitting would provide the most substantial benefit. The entire state highway network was analyzed and ranked by mile-long increments for their potential to reduce collisions and improve habitat connectivity.
  
  
• Statewide Wildlife Pathways: The plan highlights 13 “connected landscapes of statewide significance,” large ecological corridors deemed essential for linking major habitat areas and preserving species movement.
  
  
• Regional Planning Resources: A suite of interactive maps and ecological data sets are made available to support decision-making at the local level. These resources consider factors such as climate resilience, habitat quality, and migration patterns to help guide zoning, land conservation, and infrastructure design.
  
  

Developed with input from tribal governments, conservation organizations, and technical experts, the plan also includes tailored recommendations for different regions across the state.

WAHCAP is already being used to pursue federal funding for wildlife crossings and related infrastructure improvements, according to state officials. Local governments are encouraged to incorporate the plan’s data into their planning and zoning decisions.

“The data in WAHCAP will help WSDOT plan safer roads that work better for people and wildlife,” said Glen Kalisz, habitat connectivity biologist at WSDOT. “This kind of statewide coordination allows us to identify where to focus our investments, design more effective crossings, and support healthy ecosystems across Washington.”

The full Washington Habitat Connectivity Action Plan is available on the WDFW website. Interactive planning tools and maps can be accessed online through ArcGIS at www.ncw.social/ArcGIS.