Marine Connectivity Working Group

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Connectivity conservation is widely recognized as a key requirement for ensuring effective marine protected area networks and sustaining essential ecological processes of the planet’s oceans. The CCSG Marine Connectivity Working Group (MCWG) was formed in 2019 to meet the demand for connectivity conservation solutions that maintain, enhance, and restore the ecological connectivity of marine and coastal protected areas, marine biodiversity, and critical marine and coastal ecosystem services. MCWG is now ensuring that there is dedicated attention to connectivity science, policy, and management for marine and coastal areas guided by the following vision, mission, and objectives:

Vision

Marine and coastal ecosystems and their biodiversity are healthy and sustainably managed through the conservation of important biodiversity areas that includes application of science- based connectivity conservation measures effectively integrated into sub-national, national, transboundary, regional, and global marine conservation policies, programmes, and practice, and can facilitate adaptation to global change, including climate change.

Mission

To advance marine connectivity conservation policies, programmes, and practice through collaboration in science, planning, management, governance, and policy with an emphasis on advancing practical guidance, principles, methods, and tools that maintain, restore, and enhance the long-term ecological integrity of marine protected areas, other conserved areas (OECMs), marine ecosystems, and biodiversity-rich marine sites, including Key Biodiversity Areas and World Heritage Sites, while building resilience and adaptation for climate change.

Objectives

Scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini)

Science – monitor scientific developments, disseminate and share information, and provide broadly applicable guidance and principles based on emerging experience and practice for achieving effective marine and coastal connectivity conservation and building ecological connectivity networks, with special attention to MPAs and other conserved areas (OECMs), and including opportunities to use remote-sensing and other technologies and supportive policy tools in furtherance of international commitments and national goals for marine biodiversity conservation, sustainable ocean use, and adaptive design and management for climate change.
Planning – Monitor and disseminate principles and emerging practice for integrating MPAs, other conserved areas (OECMs), and Key Biodiversity Areas along with their marine connectivity needs and land-sea interconnectivity into marine and coastal spatial planning processes and plans as an integral component of national spatial planning processes and other relevant plans (including National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and their implementation instruments) across all government levels and sectors.
Governance and participation – Promote active and effective governance and management (including through law and policy) to advance appropriate, science-based marine and coastal connectivity conservation measures supported by community participation and stakeholder involvement, with special attention to designating and sustaining MPAs, ecologically important MPA networks, other conserved areas (OECMs) and Key Biodiversity Areas.
Communication, technical outreach, and support – Support development of marine connectivity conservation networks, technical outreach, and collaboration on initiatives for the design and implementation of marine and coastal connectivity conservation principles and practice into MPAs and other important marine biodiversity sites, giving particular attention to members of MCWG, other units of IUCN, managers of MPAs and other marine areas important for biodiversity, marine scientists in academic and corporate work, marine specialists working at the international or regional level, including with treaties (e.g., CBD, CMS, Ramsar, World Heritage, UNFCCC, UNCLOS, BBNJ Treaty) international development finance (e.g., multilateral and regional development banks), UN agencies with marine impact or responsibilities (e.g., UNEP, FAO, UNDP) international and regional NGOs, and other relevant fora.

State	Year	Policy	Description
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

Marine Connectivity Working Group

Vision

Mission

Objectives

Issues and Approaches

Membership

News

Projects and Activities

MCWG Library

State	Year	Policy	Description
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
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

State	Year	Policy	Description
Florida	2024	SB1638	Dedicates annual funding to land purchases, conservation easements, and trail maintenance within Florida Wildlife Corridor
Florida	2023	HB1379	Creates annual appropriation to acquire lands that complete certain linkages and are under high population stress within Florida Wildlife Corridor
Florida	2023	SB2500 sec.146	Provides funding to buy Ocala to Osceola (“O2O”) Wildlife Corridor
Florida	2021	SB976	Tasks state agencies with maintaining wildlife connectivity and designates Florida Wildlife Corridor as an existing physical, geographically defined area
Florida	2021	SB2500	Appropriates $300 million to acquire lands to conserve Florida Wildlife Corridor
Florida	2019	SB7068	Creates a "Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance Program" that includes protection of wildlife corridors as an intended benefit
Florida	2008	SB542	Amends Florida Forever Act statues to include goals of connecting linkage corridors
Florida	2001	SB1468	Amends Florida Forever Act to establish that land acquisitions should include complete landscape linkages and corridors
Florida	1999	S908	Creates Florida Forever Program, with increased protection of lands that protect threatened or endangered species and plans to create a statewide system of connected landscape linkages