Critical Paths for Wildlife
Project Description
Prioritize north-south wildlife crossing areas along the spine of the Green Mountains of Vermont using historical and new road ecology science and wildlife passage techniques to fulfill State Wildlife Action Plan priorities to improve wildlife mobility and ability to survive a changing climate. Mitigation work will focus on identifying priority road crossing areas in need of land conservation and management attention.
Project Map
County: Washington County, VT
Project Size:
- 4268111.5 acres
Project Sites
- Spine of the Green Mountains
- Spine of the Green Mountains
Goals and Targets
Primary Motivations:
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Public Benefit
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Conservation Mission
Primary Goals:
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Utilize Geographic Information System modeling to prioritize critical north-south wildlife road crossings in the State of Vermont.
Progress: Completed -
Test our initial analysis through field verification to determine where there are bottlenecks and impermeable crossings
Progress: In progress. -
Develop strategies that will increase the permeability of 5-10 priority sites through land conservation, local land use planning, road mitigation, or other roadside improvements.
Progress: In progress
Consistent With Plans:
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Federal Land Management Plan
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State Wildlife Action Plan
Targeted Habitats:
- Forests and Woodlands
- Mixed Hardwoods and Conifer
Targeted Species:
- American Black Bear Ursus americanus
- American Mink Neovison vison
- Bobcat Lynx rufus
- Fisher Martes pennanti
- Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus
- Long-tailed Weasel Mustela frenata
Conservation Actions
| Action | Status | Start Year | End Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other - Terrestrial habitat restoration and management: Identify priority crossing areas for select species of greatest conservation need | In Progress | 2008 | 2009 |
| Develop a wildlife management plan | In Progress | 2008 | 2009 |
| Other - Education: Share management and conservation plans with local and state transportation, natural resource, and land use planners and decision makers | In Progress | 2008 | 2009 |
Outcomes
Is the success of this project's actions being monitored? YesMonitoring Activities
Periodic evaluation of protocols designed to identify priority crossings.