Idaho Wildlife-Vehicle Database Earns Federal Recognition

The coordinated efforts of Idaho Fish and Game and the Idaho Transportation Department to reduce wildlife-vehicle conflicts along state roads have been recognized by the Federal Highway Administration. The Idaho Transportation/Wildlife Database has received Exemplary Ecosystem Initiative awards for 2009. In fact, the Idaho database was a dual winner in 2009, winning in the Natural Environment and Human Environment categories. Idaho was honored for exceptional environmental stewardship, "In recognition of outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship for developing an innovative tool that identifies the proximity of wildlife safety hazards." The award recognizes ecosystem initiatives that are reducing habitat fragmentation and barriers to animal movement, encouraging the development of more sustainable mitigation sites, stimulating early ecosystem planning, and fostering ecosystem-based research. The Idaho Highway Wildlife Linkage is a collaborative Website developed by staff of Idaho Fish and Game, the Idaho Transportation Department and partner organizations. The database and web application allow standardized recording of wildlife mortalities related to collisions with vehicles on roads and highways across the state. Together they allow Fish and Game and Transportation employees to monitor for areas where public safety may be improved by fencing or developing wildlife crossings and improve transportation project decision making for benefit of wildlife by improved quality and quantity of data. This also allows resource and transportation agency personnel to identify wildlife habitat areas during corridor planning and early project development processes. It is currently in use by Fish and Game and Transportation employees with potential for expansion to other interested groups and individuals as the web application is improved and interest increases. It is an interactive Website that enables the public to access and review wildlife linkage areas along state and federal highways. This also allows resource and transportation agency personnel to identify wildlife habitat areas during corridor planning and early project development processes. Data includes species present in a location, seasonality, wildlife-vehicle collision history and habitat data. For more information, contact Gregg Servheen at gservheen@idfg.idaho.gov or Brent Inghram at brent.inghram@dot.gov.