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Stories in Connecticut

Creating a Safer Connecticut with Wildlife Crossings

Connecting habitats, reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and improving resilience across the state.

A person wearing a high-visibility vest holds a small turtle gently in their hand. The turtle is partially withdrawn into its shell. The background is grassy.
SLOW AND STEADY A box turtle takes center stage, symbolizing the species that benefit most from safe passage across roads. © Emily Hadzopulos/TNC

Healthy habitats. Safer travel.

The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut is advancing wildlife crossings to help animals move safely across the landscape, reconnect fragmented habitats and improve safety for people. Wildlife crossings include a wide range of structures—from large overpasses to small culverts—that allow animals to cross roads, railways and waterways while maintaining healthy habitat connectivity.

 

Learn About Our Work | Get Involved | Donate
 

Why Wildlife Crossings Matter

Across Connecticut, transportation infrastructure and altered waterways can fragment habitat and create dangerous barriers for wildlife on the move. Thoughtfully designed wildlife crossings—including overpasses, underpasses, culverts and other passageways—help animals safely navigate human‑made obstacles while supporting intact wildlife corridors.

Wildlife crossings support:

  • Safety: Fewer wildlife–vehicle collisions mean safer travel for drivers and communities.
  • Biodiversity: Connected habitats allow animals to migrate, feed and reproduce.
  • Resilience: Restored movement pathways help wildlife adapt to climate change, development and shifting land use.
Connecting Habitats with Wildlife Crossings (2:33) This video explores how wildlife crossings support habitat connectivity across land and water. Through culverts, bridges and other designs, partners are reducing conflicts, improving safety and building resilience for communities and wildlife.

How Wildlife Crossings Work

Wildlife crossings are tailored to local species, landscapes and infrastructure types. They can include:

  • Underpasses & Overpasses: Structures that allow wildlife to pass beneath or above roadways and rail lines.
  • Targeted Fencing & Guide Rails: Features that funnel animals toward safe wildlife crossings and away from traffic.
  • Aquatic Connectivity: Culverts, stream crossings and aquatic passages that maintain natural water flow and allow fish, amphibians and other aquatic species to move freely.
  • Monitoring & Maintenance: Cameras, track pads and regular inspections that ensure wildlife crossings function effectively over time.

Together, these elements support safe passage for both terrestrial and aquatic species while maintaining healthy ecosystems.

 
Three people stand in a natural setting with tall grass and bushes. One is wearing a bright yellow safety vest and cap. Another is gesturing while speaking, clad in a green T-shirt and jeans. The third person is dressed in a dark jacket and hat. They seem to be engaged in conversation outdoors.
PLANNING SAFE PASSAGES Conservation and transportation partners pause to discuss strategies for safer wildlife movement. © Emily Hadzopulos/TNC

Where We’re Focusing

TNC and partners are identifying priority locations across Connecticut where wildlife crossings can reconnect key habitats and reduce conflicts between people and wildlife. Focus areas include:

  • Locations with high wildlife-vehicle collision rates
  • Important migration, breeding and foraging corridors
  • Areas near conserved lands, rivers and community green spaces

What's Next?

TNC's Northeast Habitats and Highways initiative focuses on eight states (including Connecticut) across the Northern Appalachians to expand proven solutions that help wildlife and people travel with more safety. In partnership with transportation and fish and wildlife agencies, the initiative advances road ecology and land and water connectivity by giving professionals shared concepts, practical tools and science-based design strategies.

We’re building a pipeline of projects—from feasibility studies and design to construction and ongoing performance monitoring. As additional resources become available, we’ll share updates that highlight how wildlife crossings work and why they matter.

 

Get Involved

A person wearing blue gloves is holding three turtles. The person is wearing a shirt with the text Northeast Partners. The scene is outdoors, with grass visible in the background.
THREE REASONS TO BUILD WILDLIFE CROSSINGS Each tiny box turtle represents the urgency and impact of creating safe passages across roads—small lives that inspire big conservation solutions. © Emily Hadzopulos/TNC

You can help bring wildlife crossings to communities across Connecticut:

  • Donate: Support the planning, design and construction of wildlife crossings at priority sites.
  • Advocate: Encourage wildlife‑friendly design in transportation and infrastructure projects.
  • Share Data: Report wildlife-vehicle collision hotspots in your community.
  • Partner: Municipalities and organizations can collaborate on site identification, design and funding.

Together, we can build safer connections—for people, wildlife and the landscapes that sustain us.

Explore Further

A snow leopard close-up captured by a trail camera in a rugged, rocky terrain.

Snow Leopard Research in Mongolia

Discover how The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut supports snow leopard research in Mongolia—protecting endangered species and fragile habitats worldwide.

A bird with a white head flies towards a nest.

Connecticut Annual Report

The Nature Conservancy features conservation wins achieved in Connecticut during 2025.

Two bobcats crossing a roadway.

Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife in the Northeast

Habitat connectivity keeps wildlife healthy and drivers safe by linking natural areas with crossings for animals.