Challenge

Mandated by the New Mexico legislature in the 2019 Wildlife Corridors Act (Senate Bill 228), that state identified needs to increase motorist safety while also enhancing habitat connectivity for wildlife through the development of a state-level wildlife corridor action plan.

Solutions

On behalf of the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF), GLA assembled a team of ecologists, modelers, transportation specialists, engineers, field biologists, and geographic information system (GIS) experts to develop the first and, to date, only state-level wildlife corridor action plan anywhere in the U.S.

Extensive modeling and field studies were used to identify and rank priority road corridors in need of mitigation actions consisting of overpasses, culverts, and bridge underpasses. Priority road corridors were identified based on the frequency of wildlife-vehicle collisions (top collision hotspots) and modeled habitat linkages.

Based on surrounding topography, land ownership patterns, animal mortality data, and existing road infrastructure, specific recommendations were developed for the placement and type of wildlife road-crossing structures needed for 20 species of concern.

The project included extensive community outreach with the organization of public meetings and collaboration and data sharing with tribes and NGOs.

Results

New Mexico Wildlife Corridors Action Plan will assist both NMDOT and the NMDGF in their future project planning by identifying where measures should be implemented, either as stand-alone projects or as additional measures that can be incorporated into planned projects already on the books.