For anyone that’s driven the stretch of Highway 75 between Ketchum and Hailey, an encounter with elk is par for the course. Living alongside wildlife is part of what makes life in the Wood River Valley so special. However, navigating our human communities can be deadly to animals and dangerous to people on the road.

Through the Blaine County Regional Transportation Committee and with the road ecology expertise of the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, the Wood River Land Trust is coordinating a study of wildlife-vehicle collisions in the County and the development of a long-range plan to improve wildlife connectivity. Based on a spatial analysis of habitat and wildlife connectivity across our lands and the most problematic highways segments, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation will present preliminary findings of the sites in need of mitigation and the recommended measures to improve wildlife connectivity across the highways.

The Center for Large Landscape Conservation’s work advances ecological connectivity for climate resilience through science, policy, practice, and collaboration. Their work informs data driven connectivity policy on state, national, and international levels.

This evening’s lecture is presented by three members of the CLLC Team: Road Ecologists Elizabeth Fairbank and Kylie Paul, and Conservation Science Specialist Jamie Faselt. Elizabeth holds an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, and since graduating has held positions with the Western Transportation Institute and the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative. Kylie brings over 15 years of conservation experience to the Center and has worked on road ecology and habitat connectivity since 2005. Jamie provides technical and logistical support for the Center’s projects, and brings a unique focus on overcoming social, political, and biophysical barriers to connectivity. All three bring their unique set of skills to identifying areas of highest priority here in the Wood River Valley.

This program is presented in partnership with the Wood River Land Trust. Registration recommended to join us in person. Link coming soon to watch online (no registration needed). The recording will be available to watch later on The Community Library’s Event Archive.