Top 5 Digests of 2023

Map of Digests

Heather Cayton2023-08-31T10:04:00-04:00August 31st, 2023|

Our new interactive map of connectivity research allows you to explore corridors close to your home and around the globe.

Balancing the benefits and risks of connectivity for disease spread

Heather Cayton2026-10-14T10:45:53-04:00October 14th, 2026|

Restoring coral reefs degraded by stony coral tissue loss disease requires balancing the benefits of larval connectivity with the risk of spreading disease.

Subnational governments play a key role in ecological connectivity conservation

Aaron Lauer and Wren Murphy2026-10-07T08:37:02-04:00October 9th, 2026|

The upcoming 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP-17) in Armenia includes a focus on the extent to which subnational governments contribute to global connectivity.

USDA’s new framework for migratory big game conservation

Rebecca Boslough King2026-10-05T14:11:14-04:00September 30th, 2026|

The Migratory Big Game Framework aims to coordinate USDA resources in order to protect habitat and connectivity, reduce barriers to movement, and improve habitat quality for elk, pronghorn, mule deer, and more.

Connectivity and climate impact wildlife disease in cities

Heather Cayton2026-09-22T15:00:21-04:00September 24th, 2026|

A multi-city study of urban coyotes shows how connectivity and climate change can interact to shape the distribution of wildlife disease.

Targeting conservation lands for better connectivity

Heather Cayton2026-09-17T15:28:05-04:00September 18th, 2026|

A new approach shows how incorporating connectivity into large-scale programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program could help prioritize lands for key ecosystems and create more connected habitat networks.

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