MODERNIZATION
BUILDING WILDLIFE HIGHWAYS
BANFF, ALBERTA, CANADA
Wildlife crossings in Banff, in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, have proven that human infrastructure can coexist with wildlife protection. If you have seen these crossings in action, you can encourage similar conservation projects at home by calling for this kind of construction and sharing what you witnessed.
What's
changing
By 2050, the world will have more than 12 million miles of new roads, which could also be 12 million miles of possible vehicle-wildlife collisions, lost migration paths and disrupted ecosystems. However, a solution in North America is proving that negative effects that come with expansion can be mitigated.
What's already
possible
Banff National Park in Alberta is home to the most wildlife underpasses, overpasses and roadside fencing structures on the planet. Installed during a highway widening project in 1996, these structures have existed long enough for researchers to confirm them as models for other locations grappling with the challenges of protecting wildlife while connecting communities.
Seizing
the opportunity
During the Trans-Canada Highway expansion in the mid-1990s, workers erected fences on both sides of the road to deter wildlife from crossing. They complemented this fencing with 44 overpasses and underpasses, offering diverse crossing options to accommodate animals with varying migration preferences for open or enclosed spaces. Since installation, vegetation has steadily grown on top of overpasses so that the terrain looks relatively uninterrupted from an animal’s perspective.
Standout
tactic
Groups from around the world visit Banff to learn about the structures and how they can be implemented globally as highway construction increasingly cuts through wilderness areas. While the structures have been a success for animals in the Rocky Mountains, in order for them to be successful in other countries, they must be adapted to suit the behavior of local animals.
How
it helps
Since 1996, Banff’s wildlife underpasses and overpasses have reduced wildlife collisions by 80%. In the mid-1990s, cars along the Trans-Canada Highway hit 100 elk per year. Today, there are hardly any elk-vehicle collisions. The animals were the first to start using the crossings, even walking over some that were still under construction. Biologists estimate that animals used the structures more than 200,000 times as of 2017 and have proved that the crossings help animals maintain more genetic diversity.
Diving
deeper
How can locations that install crossings and fences ensure they have the ongoing funds to maintain them for the safety of vehicles and wildlife?
Increasing
impact
Railroad tracks in Banff still struggle with wildlife collisions. Looking at how other countries have adopted the Banff road model for use with trains can help to inform another phase of Banff’s development, bringing the shared knowledge full circle.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
