Pennsylvania will assemble a new interagency working group to map out wildlife corridors across the state, a move officials say could reduce animal‑vehicle collisions and help species navigate increasingly fragmented habitats.
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced Monday that DCNR will partner with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, PennDOT and other agencies — along with private landowners and local governments — to draft a statewide habitat‑connectivity plan.
The initiative stems from House Resolution 87, a bipartisan measure adopted in 2023 directing the state to study habitat fragmentation and wildlife‑vehicle crashes. A resulting 2024 report called for a coordinated, statewide approach.
Dunn said the effort must address the needs of both large and small species, including aquatic wildlife that depend on streams and culvert-style crossings to move safely. Pennsylvania consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of animal‑vehicle collisions.
Dunn also cited PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center’s 2025 report on wildlife corridors as a resource that helped inform the decision to form the working group.
Stephanie Wein, clean water and conservation advocate for PennEnvironment, said a statewide strategy could improve safety and support species facing habitat loss.
“Not only will a statewide plan help reduce dangerous, costly animal-vehicle collisions, it will help improve habitat for vulnerable and declining species, reconnect our waterways, and improve the health of ecosystems across the commonwealth,” Wein said.
Amy Wolfe, northeast regional director for Trout Unlimited, said restoring aquatic connectivity is essential to fish survival and community resilience.
“Trout and other stream critters need room to roam for feeding, spawning, seeking thermal refuge, and ensuring genetic diversity,” she said. Replacing undersized culverts, she added, can also reduce flood risks.
Jim Kauffman, Pennsylvania field representative for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said the interagency effort could benefit a broad range of species.
“Whether it’s brook trout, box turtles, or black bears, habitat connectivity is imperative,” Kauffman said. Implementing practices that help wildlife move through developed areas, he added, “will be incredibly valuable.”
Pennsylvania is home to more than 25,000 species of wildlife. The group is expected to begin developing corridor recommendations in the coming months.