How did the bear (and deer and bobcat) cross the road?

Hello! Lena here, staff writer at Modern Farmer.

I used to live just south of a beautiful, 197-foot-wide vegetated overpass in northwest Montana. Located on the Flathead Reservation, and cloaked in grass and trees, “Animals’ Bridge” was designed to help wildlife like bears, deer, mountain lions, and all sorts of other critters safely cross the highway below.

In this week’s feature story, contributor Kathleen Willcox explores efforts across the US to help improve habitat connectivity and ensure wildlife can move safely across the landscape.

And speaking of land, we also have two fresh pieces for you this week about the creative ways aspiring farmers and ranchers are accessing farmland, and how you can, too.

Have an example of creativity around land access from your own community? I’d love to hear about it. 

Prioritizing connections for traveling animals could slow down the extinction crisis.

Also fresh this week

Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next week!

~ Lena

Weekly Action | Supporting biodiversity starts at home. Learn how to plant a pollinator garden for your region here.

P.S. Want to see habitat connectivity in action? Here’s some footage from wildlife cameras at the Animals’ Bridge in Montana, as well as other nearby crossings.

~ LB