U.S. election results are in. What does the future look like for wildlife connectivity?
With the election behind us, we know big changes to government policy across the United States are in store. While we know that some past wins for wildlife are at risk and there will likely be setbacks, we cannot fully predict what lies ahead. Nevertheless, Wildlands Network remains focused on achieving our big, ambitious, continent-wide goals to reconnect, restore, and rewild North America.
As our team analyzes state and federal election outcomes to help shape strategy in 2025 and beyond, we are anticipating that certain conservation programs might be better insulated from any potential election disruptions due to their nonpartisan nature. For example, we have seen firsthand that support for habitat connectivity conservation in the U.S. comes from both sides of the aisle, from diverse geographic regions, and from different levels of government. Recent polls and policy advancements support this reality:
87% of Americans support restoring or preserving wildlife habitat connectivity and migration corridors;
Bi-partisan federal legislation has created a $350 million federal grant program dedicated to wildlife crossings infrastructure; and
Red, blue, and purple states have collectively set aside over $1 billion over the past decade to conserve wildlife corridors and construct wildlife crossings.
People from all walks of life value habitat connectivity and wildlife’s need to have room to roam. With this knowledge, we are confident that we can continue transcending party lines and building bridges to a better future for wildlife and communities.
The Path Forward:
Just as wildlife must move and adapt to changing ecosystems, our strategies as advocates must shift and adapt to changing government leadership. Wildlands Network just recently went through a similar goal and project assessment earlier this year in the wake of federal elections in Mexico.
In the U.S., our team will continue to develop strategies in the coming years to:
Pass the bipartisan Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act;
Incorporate wildlife friendly policy updates and needed funding within the next iterations of the Farm Bill and Transporation Reauthorization Bill;
Permanently fund and stand-up legal frameworks for the creation and implementation of state wildlife and transportation action plans that aim to conserve wildlife corridors and construct wildlife crossings in high priority areas; and
Ensure border security strategies consider continental biodiversity and minimize any disruptions to wildlife’s ability to move daily and seasonally.
Achieving these goals will allow us to unlock and direct needed government resources for connectivity conservation, opening the door for further collaboration at all scales. Importantly, as we work to achieve these goals, we will remain committed to respecting and celebrating the diversity of our colleagues and the communities we work with. We will also continue our efforts to engage in thoughtful and collaborative advocacy with partners, regardless of political affiliation. With this approach, we have built momentum over the past few years that has propelled our mission forward.
Guided by our 30-year legacy, we continue to protect wildlife and wild spaces by focusing on actionable, science-driven solutions that address the needs of North America’s diverse wildlife and communities. Thank you to all who stand with us while we embark on the next chapter of this important journey together.
Photo by: Pathways for Wildlife
