Roaring Fork Safe Passages held a series of Wildlife Connectivity Events over the weekend in Aspen, bringing together experts and the community to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife crossings. The events highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions and restore habitat connectivity across the Roaring Fork Valley.
“This weekend was all about inspiration and education,” said Cecily DeAngelo, Director of Roaring Fork Safe Passages. “We hope the public now understands the importance of these projects and how they can support our path forward in mitigating wildlife-vehicle collisions.”
The first event, held on Friday, Oct. 4, at The Gant in Aspen, featured Beth Pratt, known for leading the successful “Save the LA Cougars” campaign. Pratt raised $90 million to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, over the ten-lane Highway 101 in Los Angeles. During her presentation, she emphasized the necessity of wildlife corridors, citing their effectiveness in reducing collisions by up to 97% and preserving the genetic health of wildlife populations.
Pratt also explained how roads disrupt animal migration patterns, causing issues like genetic isolation and starvation among species ranging from mountain lions to deer. “Roads are having many more consequences than we think,” Pratt said. “Building crossings allows wildlife to move freely, making roads safer for both animals and drivers.”
On Saturday, the second event at Explorer Bookstore featured Ben Goldfarb, author of Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet. Goldfarb’s book, recognized as one of the best books of 2023 by The New York Times, explores the ecological impacts of roads and potential solutions to restore wildlife connectivity. Goldfarb discussed how certain species, like cliff swallows, are even evolving in response to road dangers, adapting with shorter wingspans to avoid vehicles.
DeAngelo praised the growing support for wildlife crossings, expressing optimism for future collaborations with local governments, including Garfield County and the cities of Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. “It’s incredible to see bipartisan support for these initiatives,” she said. “In a time when we don’t agree on much, we agree on the importance of wildlife crossings.”
Both events showcased the importance of creating safe, sustainable solutions to protect wildlife and drivers alike, as Roaring Fork Safe Passages continues its mission to improve road safety and habitat connectivity in the valley.
