Technical guides for planning, designing, and implementing connectivity

Search these guides for details and recommendations on keeping landscapes connected – from figuring out where to start, to determining the next steps once you’re finished. (Click the title for the full pdf.)

Did we miss any? Email us at corridor@conservationcorridor.org.

Title	Date	Region	Authors/Agency	Chapters
Planning for Habitat Connectivity	2026	Utah (U.S.)	Wildlands Network	Introduction (Planning Process) - Model Language for General Plans - Model Language for Resource Management Plans - Model Language for Open Space Plans - Model Language for Transportation Plans - Model Language for Land Use Ordinances
Practitioner's Guide to Planning and Design of Wildlife Crossings in Florida	2026	Florida (U.S.)	Daniel J. Smith (UF Center for Landscape Conservation Planning)	Preconstruction Planning - Site and Structural Design - Post-construction Monitoring, Maintenance, and Adaptive Management - Case Studies and Quick Takes
Integrating Wildlife Habitat Connectivity into Local Government Planning	2025	United States	Center for Large Landscape Conservation	Overview of Local Government Planning Framework - How States Can Drive Connectivity Planning - Research Approach - Recommendations - Examples of Plans and Policies - Case Studies
Pathways to an Ecologically Connected Transborder Landscape	2025	North America	Staying Connected Initiative	Defining Ecological Connectivity - Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change - Northeastern Region of North America/Turtle Region - Introduction to Strategies - Strategies
Guidelines for connectivity conservation and planning in Europe	2024	Europe	Natura Connect	Connectivity concepts and approaches - Global and EU policy instruments - Connectivity projects in Europe and information needs - Tools and data sources - Framework for connectivity conservation and planning
Implementing Connectivity Conservation in Canada	2021	Canada	Canadian Council on Ecological Areas	The Need for a (Re)Connected Canada - Governance, Law, and Policy Dimensions - Case Studies - Organizational Capacity and Needs Assessment - Setting the Table for Transformation
Connectivity and climate change toolkit	2021	United States	Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies	What is Connectivity - Climate Change and Connectivity - Project Planning - What Makes a Strategy/Action Climate Smart? - Adaptation Strategies - Considerations by Systems
Guidelines for Conserving Connectivity Through Ecological Networks and Corridors	2020	Global	IUCN	The need for connectivity - The scientific basis for connectivity - Towards a common language - Ecological networks for conservation - Planning and implementing ecological corridors - Applications and benefits of ecological corridors - The emergence of connectivity conservation law and policy
Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey	2019	New Jersey (U.S.)	New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife	Mapping Tools - Connectivity Assessments - Guidance for Cores and Corridors - Action Teams
Guidelines for Conserving Connectivity Through Ecological Networks and Corridors	2016	N/A	Landscape Institute	Why consider connectivity? - Ecological networks - Different aspects of connectivity - Benefits and risks to biodiversity - Connectivity and ecosystem services - Connectivity as a unifying concept - Modifying connectivity in design plans
Connecting the Dots: A Guide to Using Ecological Connectivity Modelling in Municipal Planning	2016	Calgary (Canada)	Miistakis Institute	Connectivity and Modeling - Planning and Connectivity - Potential Connectivity Planning Applications - Planner's Connectivity Worksheet
Technical Guidelines for the Design and Management of Participatory Connectivity Conservation and Restoration at the Landscape Scale in Latin America	2016	Latin America	Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE)	Ecological Connectivity, Biological Corridors, and Community Participation - Technical Guidelines for the Design, Creation, and Management of Biological Corridors
Connectivity Conservation Area Guidelines	2016	Global	IUCN	Background - Definition Connectivity Conservation Areas - Legal and Policy Facilitation - Strategic Biodiversity Conservation - Types of CCAs - Criteria for Establishment - CCA Governance Types
Resistance-Surface-Based Wildlife Conservation Connectiity Modeling	2015	United States	USDA Forest Service	Ecological Framework and Key Definitions - Resistance-Surface-Based Connectivity Modeling - The Importance of Validating Wildlife Connectivity Models - Practitioner Efforts - Guiding Questions for Practitioners
Planning for Connectivity	2015	United States	Defenders of Wildlife, Center for Large Landscape Conservation, Wildlands Network, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative	Importance of Connectivity - 2012 Forest Planning Rule - Best Practices for Connectivity Planning
Vermont Habitat Blocks and Habitat Connectivity	2014	Vermont (U.S.)	Vermont Fish and Wildlife Dept.	N/A
Wildlife Connectivity: Fundamentals for Conservation Action	2014	United States	Center for Large Landscape Conservation	An Introduction to Connectivity - Methods, Tools, and Applications - Policy
Guidance Document for Fine-Scale Wildlife Connectivity Analysis	2014	California (U.S.)	California Dept. of Fish and Game	Define Study Area and Scale - Wildlife Corridor Component - Building the Linkage - Riparian Corridor Component - Climate Change Component
Designing and Implementing Ecosystem Connectivity in Okanagan	2014	British Columbia (Canada)	Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program	Ecosystem Connectivity - Building Blocks for Ecosystem Connectivity - How are Connectivity Plans Constructed and Implemented
Vermont Transportation and Habitat Connectivity Guidance Document	2012	Vermont (U.S.)	Vermont Agency of Transportation	Planning - Design and Construction - Operations and Maintenance
Wildlife Crossing Structure Handbook: Design and Evaluation in North America	2011	North America	US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration	Wildlife Populations and Road Corridor Intersections - Impact Identification, Remediation, Planning, and Placement - Designs, Toolboxes, Guidelines, and Practical Applications - Monitoring Techniques, Data Interpretation, and Evaluations
Wildlife Corridors and Permeability	2010	Oregon (U.S.)	Oregon Metro	Fundamental Concepts in Wildlife Connectivity - Overview of the Region's Habitat and Wildlife - More About Corridors - Connecting Habitat: How It's Done
Wildlife Passage Engineering Design Guidelines	2010	Edmonton (Canada)	City of Edmonton, Office of Natural Areas	Background - Planning Guidelines - Design Guidelines - Construction Guidelines - Maintenance/Operations Guidelines
Landscape Planning for Washington's Wildlife	2009	Washington (U.S.)	Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife	Wildlife in a Developing Landscape - How Wildlife Responds to Developing Landscapes - Habitat Composition and Configuration - Habitat Connectivity - Putting It Together - Implementation Through Plans, Regulations, and Incentive Programs - Implementation Through Subdivision and Site Development
Conservation Buffers	2008	United States	USDA Forest Service	Design Guidelines: Water Quality - Biodiversity - Productive Soils - Economic Opportunities - Protection and Safety - Aesthetics and Visual Quality - Outdoor Recreation
Best Management Practices for Wildlife Corridors	2008	N/A	Paul Beier, Dan Majka, Shawn Newell, Emily Garding	Practices for Roads, Canals, and Railroads That Cross Corridors - Practices for Streams in Corridors - Practices for Urban Development in Corridors - Practices for Canals in Corridors
Guidance on the Maintenance of Landscape Connectivity Features of Major Importance for Wild Flora and Fauna	2007	Europe	Institute for European Environmental Policy	Landscape Ecology and Impacts of Habitat Fragmentation -Biodiversity Impacts of Climate Change - Assessment of Species At Risk - Framework for Assessing, Planning and Implementing Ecological Connectivity Measures - Measures to Increase Connectivity
Conceptual Steps for Designing Wildlife Corridors	2006	N/A	Paul Beier, Dan Majka, Jeff Jenness	Pre-Modeling Steps - Habitat Modeling - Corridor Modeling - Linkage Designs - Workshop Exercises
Conservation Corridor Planning at the Landscape Level	2004	United States	USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	Habitat Fragmentation - Corridors (An Overview) - Corridor Benefits - Planning and Design Principles - Area-wide Planning Process - Conservation Planning Process - Implementation

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 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

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

Connecting Science to Conservation

Technical guides for planning, designing, and implementing connectivity

About the Author: Heather Cayton

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
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