2024 CCSG Highlights

Photo: Gabriel Oppler

2024 was another successful year for the Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group (CCSG). Through direct outreach and word of mouth, 30 new members from 15+ countries joined CCSG. Membership now exceeds 1000 individuals. Collectively, across CCSG and its four working groups, some of our major contributions leading science, policy, and best-practice for ecological connectivity conservation included:

In February, CCSG leadership and members were in Samarkand, Uzbekistan for the 14^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species. Among the agenda items, the conference adopted the Samarkand Strategic Plan for 2024-2032 with Goal 2 devoted to maintaining and restoring connectivity, and at least eight additional policy decisions were made to update and focus related efforts such as ecological networks, impact assessment, infrastructure development, flyways, and vessel strikes for marine megafauna. Furthermore, 25+ side events addressed the topic, including “New Frontiers for Ecological Connectivity – From Policy to Implementation”. A special event on 14 February celebrated launch of the new Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity (GPEC) with the aim of strengthening and facilitating key priorities among institutions and organizations (More details at: https://conservationcorridor.org/ccsg/2024/03/cms-cop14/);
In October, CCSG was active further elevating understanding and implementation of connectivity in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) during the 16^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/CoP-16). With one official event co-organized with GPEC on “Ecological Connectivity: A Key to Powering Delivery of the KMGBF”attracting 130+ participants and others focused on avoiding and mitigating the impacts of linear infrastructure, CCSG’s contributions to side events emphasized the great diversity of related initiatives, projects, and activities already underway around the world that are driving implementation. Prior to the start of the conference, a News post on the CCSG website provided insights and background documentation about ongoing efforts and opportunities (More details at: https://conservationcorridor.org/ccsg/2024/12/ccsg-overview-of-outcomes-from-cbd-cop-16/);
“Ground truthing” workshops for advancing the IUCN Connectivity Guidelines were held in Quebec in spring and summer for two out of three identified corridors: Gaspésie, Mauricie, and Plaisance-to-Tremblant (P2T), as well as in Uzbekistan at the end of the year to enhance conservation of the Koytendag State Nature Reserve in Turkmenistan and Surkhan State Nature Reserve in Uzbekistan and as a contribution to a project working toward the eventual nomination of the transboundary landscape as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gary Tabor, Chair and Jodi Hilty, Deputy Chair presented, and members of CCSG supported planning and convening, at the Northeastern North America (NENAM) / Turtle Island Landscape Connectivity Summit in June in Montreal. The event brought together a unique mix of 175 government, Tribal and First Nation, NGO, academic, and other leaders and practitioners across the US/Canada border to chart a path forward for an ecologically and culturally well-connected landscape for all inhabitants of this region. The outcomes are currently being compiled into a high-level, regional connectivity “road map” to help guide collaborative efforts across borders.

CCSG published technical guidance and advice and disseminated these resources across the globe. Notable examples included:

Version 1.0: Practical Guidance on Indicators of Connectivity for the KMGBF which was produced to provide summaries and technical information about identified and relevant indicators in the monitoring framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework;
An overview of Ecological Connectivity in Updated NBSAPs, released as a compilation of related plans, specific language, and links available up to September 2024;
An information note with recommendations that to best address identified gaps related to connectivity in the KMGBF monitoring framework, Parties adopt disaggregations of “By level of connectivity” for the current headline indicators“A.2 Extent of natural ecosystems” and “3.1 Coverage of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures”; and
A list with excerpts of “Landscape, Seascape, and Connectivity Conservation: Related Resolutions and Recommendations Adopted by the 2020 IUCN World Conservation Congress” released in preparation for IUCN WCC 2025.

Furthermore, CCSG continued to increase communication and outreach to the public:

As part of the WildlifeConnect Initiative, we launched the online, self-paced course “Connectivity 101: Ecological connectivity for people and planet”.
Members of the Marine Connectivity Working Group published the article “Marine connectivity conservation: Guidance for MPA and MPA network design and management” and the article “From oceans apart to the global ocean: Including marine connectivity in global conservation targets“.
Members of the Latin America and Caribbean Transport Working Group published the article “Ando volando bajo” and “Unveiling the hidden impact: Wildlife roadkill assessment in the Paraguayan Chaco”.
CCSG continued to contribute to a series of Connectivity Policy Digests, including on national policies in Kazakhstan and Brazil.
We continued to add to the list of CCSG Publications, the webpage “Ecological connectivity in international policy”, and “Connectivity News” webpage.

The CCSG Secretariat is grateful for contributions from many members in making these accomplishments possible. We look forward to another fantastic year in 2025!

Photo: Gabriel Oppler

State	Year	Policy	Description
New Hampshire	2026	SB592	Enables regional, conservation, and energy resource planning for habitat strongholds and wildlife corridors
New Hampshire	2019	SB200	Requires the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to consider fish and wildlife crossings and mitigation measures in all future road and culvert projects
New Hampshire	2016	SB376	Requires the fish and game department to identify existing and needed wildlife corridors connecting wildlife habitats in the state and to make recommendations for legislative changes

State	Year	Policy	Description
Maine	2023	LD258	Appropriates $7.5 million to Department of Transportation to improve roadways with potential adaptations for wildlife
Maine	2023	LD1881	Establishes compensation fee program relating to fish and wildlife habitats and associated corridors, including compensation paid by solar energy development
Maine	2023	LD508	Requires Department of Environmental Protection to review its permitting laws concerning climate change, habitat connectivity, ecological resilience, and coastal environments

State	Year	Policy	Description
New Jersey	2025	S3618	Directs state agencies to develop a Wildlife Corridor Action Plan
New Jersey	2024	S3916/A5486	Expands eligibility for existing wildlife fencing programs by including farmers leasing farmland
New Jersey	2007	NJAC7:13	Requires the state to incorporate wildlife crossings or a natural bank for terrestrial threatened and endangered species and/or species of concern when a new bridge or culvert project would cause habitat fragmentation

State	Year	Policy	Description
New Mexico	2023	SB72	Appropriates money to new Wildlife Corridors Fund for implementation of wildlife crossing projects under New Mexico Wildlife Corridor Action Plan
New Mexico	2022	HB 2	Allocates funding for projects to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and allows the Department of Transportation and Department of Game to implement their Wildlife Corridors Action Plan
New Mexico	2019	SB 228	Requires the creation of a Wildlife Corridor Action Plan that includes comprehensive guidance to agencies for identifying, prioritizing and maintaining important areas for wildlife movement

State	Year	Policy	Description
Washington	2023	HB1216/SB5196	Requires Department of Ecology to prepare environmental impact statements for clean energy projects that consider impacts to habitat connectivity and wildlife migration corridors
Washington	2022	SB5689	Provides funding for US 97 Wildlife Crossing Improvements project
Washington	2019	SEO 1031.02	Recognizes the effect of roadways in creating barriers to wildlife movement, breeding, and migrations; the Washington State Department of Transportation will promote and support Practical Solutions and Planning and Environmental Linkages to integrate habitat connectivity and biodiversity plans; will make use of the highway prioritization map known as Habitat Connectivity Investment Priorities; and will corporate and coordinate with other agencies involved in wildlife habitat protection, specifically along highways

Connecting Science to Conservation

About the Author: IUCN CCSG

State	Year	Policy	Description
Wyoming	2026	SF0052	Allocates funds for restoration of aquatic habitats including barrier removal for fish
Wyoming	2025	SF0088	Allocates funds for projects improving wildlife connectivity including fence removal, wildlife crossings improvements, and habitat restoration
Wyoming	2024	SF0060	Provides funds to help maintain primary migration corridors for ungulates in the Little Snake River Conservation District
Wyoming	2023	SF0106	Provides funds for large wildlife crossing projects across the state
Wyoming	2022	SF0048	Approves funding for specific wildlife crossings and aquatic connectivity initiatives
Wyoming	2021	SF066	Provides funds for large wildlife crossing projects across the state
Wyoming	2020	EO 1	Designates three mule deer migration corridors and establishes the process whereby future corridors can be designated
Wyoming	2020	HB 69	Establishes a system wherein funding from outdoor recreation can be appropriated for wildlife conservation efforts related to the state’s transportation system
Wyoming	2018	HB39	Proceeds from the newly established wildlife conservation license plates are allocated to wildlife connectivity improvements to the state transportation system

State	Year	Policy	Description
Vermont	2023	Act59	Vermont's 30x30 law that commits to conserving and maintaining an ecologically functional landscape that sustains biodiversity and maintains landscape connectivity
Vermont	2016	Act 171	Primarily focuses on timber harvesting regulations, but calls for a study of necessary revisions to planning statutes that protect contiguous areas of forestland from fragmentation and promote habitat connectivity between forestlands

State	Year	Policy	Description
Colorado	2026	SB141	Creates optional collision prevention fee to fund wildlife safe passage projects
Colorado	2025	HB1093	Restricts local limits on residential density unless offset elsewhere, exempts areas near wildlife crossings, and allows municipalities to seek judicial review of land use initiatives
Colorado	2023	SB 23-092	Encourages minimal impacts to wildlife migration corridors when constructing solar panel farms
Colorado	2023	SB 214	Appropriates funding to the Colorado Wildlife Safe Passages Fund for wildlife crossing projects
Colorado	2022	SB22-151	Creates a $5 million fund for measures that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and reconnect habitat fragmented by roads
Colorado	2022	HB22-1072	Expands the scope of Habitat Partnership Program to fund efforts to conserve wildlife migration
Colorado	2021	SJR 21-021	Aims to protect and enhance habitat connectivity in the state through the establishment of a working group to develop state policies on corridors, as well as the commission of a report on state corridors and voluntary policies to support willing landowners in improving connectivity
Colorado	2019	EO 11	Directs Colorado agencies to identify policy, regulatory, and legislative opportunities to ensure the ongoing conservation of seasonal big game habitat and migration corridors
Colorado	2018	SB 18-143	States explicit goals for Division of Parks and Wildlife to invest in habitat conservation and wildlife crossings

State	Year	Policy	Description
California	2024	AB1889	Requires counties and municipalities to conserve wildlife corridors when planning new developments
California	2023	AB1760	Calls for a statewide analysis of wildlife corridors and connectivity to support conservation planning and climate change adaptation activities.
California	2023	SB145	Outlines provisions for transportation-related environmental mitigation, including funding for wildlife corridors, property and credit purchases for mitigation, reporting requirements, and mandates for wildlife crossings along Interstate 15.
California	2023	SB101	Provides funding for wildlife corridors and open spaces, including projects to improve connectivity and reduce barriers between habitat areas.
California	2022	AB2344	Establishes a state program to address roads with high wildlife-vehicle collisions, authorizes Caltrans to develop standalone wildlife connectivity projects, mandates an inventory and prioritization system for critical areas, and requires integration of wildlife passage features into relevant road designs.
California	2022	AB1384	Requires agencies to address vulnerabilities in Safeguarding California Plans, including protecting and enhancing wildlife corridors
California	2021	SB790	Approves compensatory mitigation credits for wildlife connectivity actions
California	2021	AB1183	Establishes the California Desert Conservation Program to protect biodiversity, including the protection and enhancement of habitat connectivity
California	2021	AB128	Appropriates funding for wildlife crossing projects, including the Liberty Canyon crossing for mountain lions
California	2015	AB 498	Amends the California Fish and Game Code to encourage, wherever feasible, voluntary steps to protect the functioning of wildlife corridors
California	2014	AB1471	Provides funds to the Sacramento- San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, in part to protect and restore aquatic, wetland, and migratory bird ecosystems including corridors.
California	2008	AB2785	Orders Dept. of Fish & Wildlife to investigate, study, and identify key wildlife corridors and linkages within the state, and to make those areas public