A group of bipartisan senators has introduced legislation to reauthorize the Wildlife Crossings Program, a competitive grant program with the goal of reducing Wildlife Vehicle Collisions while improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. The crossings program, which is set to expire in 2026, was passed under the 2021 infrastructure spending bill to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and support enhanced connectivity to help animals adapt to the changing climate.
The bill was introduced by Senators Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cramer (R-N.D.), Merkley (D-Ore.), and Curtis (R-Utah), along with a similar bill by Senators Heinrich (D-NM) and Sheehy (R-MT). A bipartisan companion bill in the House is led by Representatives Beyer (D-VA) and Zinke (R-MT).
“The Wildlife Crossings Program at the Federal Highway Administration provides a unique opportunity to protect both our wildlife and our drivers – it is a true win-win,” said Alsobrooks.
Each year an estimated 1-2 million collisions with large species result in close to 30,000 human injuries and hundreds of fatalities, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.
“NPCA supports this solutions-focused policy that would benefit public safety and national park wildlife alike,” said National Parks Conservation Association Legislative Director Christina Hazard. “From elk herds at Theodore Roosevelt to black bears in Catoctin Mountain, our national parks provide habitat for an incredible range of wildlife, which also supports strong tourism and outdoor recreation economies.”
Under the program, $125 million in grants for 16 wildlife crossing projects in 16 states were awarded during 2025. One project was awarded to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, which receive $1.7 million to fund pre-construction design and permitting for a wildlife crossing project along the Appalachian Trail over Interstate 90 through western Massachusetts. Another awarded $33.2 million to the Oregon Department of Transportation to build a wildlife crossing along Interstate 5 within southwest Oregon’s Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
“In Utah, we’ve long understood that protecting our natural heritage and keeping people safe go hand in hand,” said Curtis. “The Wildlife Crossings Program is a smart, science-backed solution that reflects those values, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in the effort to reauthorize this important program.”
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The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
