You may have seen the exciting news over the last month or so — Virginia’s final state budget includes $450,000 in funding for wildlife crossings! This is a major step forward in protecting both wildlife and people on our roads. Thanks to the leadership of Senator David Marsden and the tireless advocacy of many partners and supporters, this funding is now secured. We’re incredibly grateful to Senator Marsden for championing this cause, and to all of you who spoke up, wrote letters, and helped build the support that made this possible.

Dr. Jessica Roberts, Habitat Connectivity Program Director, and Misty Boos, US Conservation Policy Manager at the Wildlands Network, join the podcast to discuss what this means, why it’s important, and what other states have done to foster habitat connectivity.

What Will This Funding Do?

This state funding will directly support the design and construction of wildlife crossing infrastructure, targeting the most dangerous areas for wildlife-vehicle collisions. The language in the budget specifically calls for projects “with the best likelihood of reducing wildlife and vehicle collisions, as determined by the hot spot analysis in the Commonwealth’s Wildlife Corridor Action Plan.”

That Action Plan exists today because of years of advocacy—Wild Virginia was proud to support and push for the legislation that required it. Now, it’s paying off in real, tangible ways.

Why It Matters

Every year, more than 60,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions occur in Virginia. These crashes are heartbreaking for the animals involved, but they’re also incredibly dangerous and expensive for drivers, with each incident averaging around $41,000 in costs.

The good news is that we know how to fix this. Proven solutions like fencing paired with wildlife underpasses or culverts can reduce collisions by up to 96%. This new investment means Virginia is starting to implement those life-saving solutions.

Better yet, this funding can be used to match grants and unlock even more resources for crossing projects, multiplying the impact.

Wild Virginia will continue working closely with state agencies, conservation partners, and community members to help identify and advance the highest-priority crossing projects. We’re committed to making sure this funding translates into real protection for wildlife and safer travel for everyone.

This victory is the result of years of hard work, collaboration, and persistent advocacy. It’s a big step forward—but just the beginning. Together, we’ll keep fighting to ensure that Virginia’s roads work for people and wildlife alike.

Stay tuned, and thank you for standing with us.