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News Release

Wildlife Crossing Projects Gain Momentum Across Oregon (Photo) - 07/01/26

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

July 1, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Wildlife Crossing Projects Gain Momentum Across Oregon

Oregon Wildlife Foundation helps advance wildlife passage initiatives statewide through partnerships, fundraising, and project coordination.

 

(PORTLAND, Ore.) –  Every year, thousands of deer, elk, bear, and other wildlife attempt to cross busy roadways in search of food, water, and mates. Too often, those crossings end in tragedy for wildlife and sometimes for motorists.

Improving habitat connectivity is one of Oregon Wildlife Foundation's conservation priorities. Proceeds from the sale and renewal of the Watch for Wildlife specialty license plate are allocated to habitat connectivity and wildlife passage projects throughout Oregon. The Foundation also serves as the fiscal sponsor for multiple passage projects - providing fiscal administration and fundraising support to these initiatives throughout their development.

 

“Our participation in wildlife passage work began in 2017 with an undercrossing on Highway 97 in Central Oregon” said Tim Greseth, Executive Director of the Oregon Wildlife Foundation. “This experience deepened our understanding of the impact that wildlife-vehicle collisions are having on many different species and led us to adopt habitat connectivity as an organizational priority.”

 

Recent project milestones include:

Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative (Central Oregon)

This section of Highway 20 experiences the highest frequency of deer and elk collisions in Oregon. The Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage coalition has completed a Phase I wildlife crossing mitigation study and developed conceptual crossing designs for multiple locations along the corridor. 

 

Following that work, four wildlife overcrossings were identified as the highest priorities for Phase II design and engineering. The coalition has raised more than $850,000 in non-federal matching funds in preparation for the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program, which is slated to open for applications sometime in July or August.

Wallowa County Wildlife Crossing Project (Northeast Oregon)

The Wallowa County Wildlife Crossing Coalition has completed a Phase I study of Highway 82 between Enterprise and Wallowa to determine priority crossing locations and develop conceptual designs to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity within this high-risk corridor.

Interstate 84 Wildlife Crossing Project (Northeast Oregon)

Interstate 84 is an almost permanent barrier to wildlife movement. The focus of this project is the completion of a wildlife crossing study and conceptual design for the highest priority locations on I-84 between Pendleton and La Grande. The funding needed to begin this project has been raised, marking an important step in its development.

Wanaket Wildlife Area Wildlife Crossing Project (Northeast Oregon)

In partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, Oregon Wildlife Foundation is providing funding support and serving as the fiscal sponsor for a wildlife crossing study on the Wanaket Wildlife area, which is located along the Columbia River, just east of McNary in northeast Oregon. The wildlife area is bisected by  Highway 730 and the incidence of vehicle strikes is high within this section of road. 

 

Assessing Existing Bridges and Culverts Across Oregon (Statewide)

 

Oregon Wildlife Foundation has retained a consulting team to evaluate existing bridges and culverts throughout Oregon that may already be in use by wildlife or, with modifications, can be improved or made ready for wildlife to use - all in service of keeping animals off busy roads by providing them with safe alternatives. 

 

The consulting team is evaluating existing conditions at culverts and bridges large enough to accommodate deer and elk, documenting evidence of wildlife activity, and recommending cost-effective modifications that may increase use by wildlife.

 

“Building new wildlife overcrossings and undercrossings can be expensive, so we’re enthusiastic for opportunities to provide safe passage for animals through simpler modifications to the areas around existing bridges and culverts wherever and whenever possible,” said Greseth.

 

To learn more about Oregon Wildlife Foundation's wildlife crossing initiatives or to support this work through the Wildlife Movement and Migration fund, visit www.myOWF.org/wildlifemoves. Or donate directly via https://secure.givelively.org/donate/oregon-wildlife-foundation/wildlife-migration-and-movement-fund-formerly-known-as-watch-for-wildlife-fund

 

###

 

About Oregon Wildlife Foundation

Oregon Wildlife Foundation is an operating charitable foundation dedicated to increasing private and public funding for wildlife conservation throughout Oregon. Since 1981, the Foundation has directed tens of millions of dollars toward projects that conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats across the state. Learn more at www.myOWF.org.

Attached Media Files: AdobeStock_182101699.jpeg, AdobeStock_117213276.jpeg,

Wildlife Crossing Projects Gain Momentum Across Oregon (Photo) - 07/01/26

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

July 1, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Wildlife Crossing Projects Gain Momentum Across Oregon

Oregon Wildlife Foundation helps advance wildlife passage initiatives statewide through partnerships, fundraising, and project coordination.

 

(PORTLAND, Ore.) –  Every year, thousands of deer, elk, bear, and other wildlife attempt to cross busy roadways in search of food, water, and mates. Too often, those crossings end in tragedy for wildlife and sometimes for motorists.

Improving habitat connectivity is one of Oregon Wildlife Foundation's conservation priorities. Proceeds from the sale and renewal of the Watch for Wildlife specialty license plate are allocated to habitat connectivity and wildlife passage projects throughout Oregon. The Foundation also serves as the fiscal sponsor for multiple passage projects - providing fiscal administration and fundraising support to these initiatives throughout their development.

 

“Our participation in wildlife passage work began in 2017 with an undercrossing on Highway 97 in Central Oregon” said Tim Greseth, Executive Director of the Oregon Wildlife Foundation. “This experience deepened our understanding of the impact that wildlife-vehicle collisions are having on many different species and led us to adopt habitat connectivity as an organizational priority.”

 

Recent project milestones include:

Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative (Central Oregon)

This section of Highway 20 experiences the highest frequency of deer and elk collisions in Oregon. The Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage coalition has completed a Phase I wildlife crossing mitigation study and developed conceptual crossing designs for multiple locations along the corridor. 

 

Following that work, four wildlife overcrossings were identified as the highest priorities for Phase II design and engineering. The coalition has raised more than $850,000 in non-federal matching funds in preparation for the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program, which is slated to open for applications sometime in July or August.

Wallowa County Wildlife Crossing Project (Northeast Oregon)

The Wallowa County Wildlife Crossing Coalition has completed a Phase I study of Highway 82 between Enterprise and Wallowa to determine priority crossing locations and develop conceptual designs to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity within this high-risk corridor.

Interstate 84 Wildlife Crossing Project (Northeast Oregon)

Interstate 84 is an almost permanent barrier to wildlife movement. The focus of this project is the completion of a wildlife crossing study and conceptual design for the highest priority locations on I-84 between Pendleton and La Grande. The funding needed to begin this project has been raised, marking an important step in its development.

Wanaket Wildlife Area Wildlife Crossing Project (Northeast Oregon)

In partnership with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, Oregon Wildlife Foundation is providing funding support and serving as the fiscal sponsor for a wildlife crossing study on the Wanaket Wildlife area, which is located along the Columbia River, just east of McNary in northeast Oregon. The wildlife area is bisected by  Highway 730 and the incidence of vehicle strikes is high within this section of road. 

 

Assessing Existing Bridges and Culverts Across Oregon (Statewide)

 

Oregon Wildlife Foundation has retained a consulting team to evaluate existing bridges and culverts throughout Oregon that may already be in use by wildlife or, with modifications, can be improved or made ready for wildlife to use - all in service of keeping animals off busy roads by providing them with safe alternatives. 

 

The consulting team is evaluating existing conditions at culverts and bridges large enough to accommodate deer and elk, documenting evidence of wildlife activity, and recommending cost-effective modifications that may increase use by wildlife.

 

“Building new wildlife overcrossings and undercrossings can be expensive, so we’re enthusiastic for opportunities to provide safe passage for animals through simpler modifications to the areas around existing bridges and culverts wherever and whenever possible,” said Greseth.

 

To learn more about Oregon Wildlife Foundation's wildlife crossing initiatives or to support this work through the Wildlife Movement and Migration fund, visit www.myOWF.org/wildlifemoves. Or donate directly via https://secure.givelively.org/donate/oregon-wildlife-foundation/wildlife-migration-and-movement-fund-formerly-known-as-watch-for-wildlife-fund

 

###

 

About Oregon Wildlife Foundation

Oregon Wildlife Foundation is an operating charitable foundation dedicated to increasing private and public funding for wildlife conservation throughout Oregon. Since 1981, the Foundation has directed tens of millions of dollars toward projects that conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats across the state. Learn more at www.myOWF.org.

Attached Media Files: AdobeStock_182101699.jpeg, AdobeStock_117213276.jpeg,