Did you know the section of Highway 20 between Suttle Lake and Bend sees the highest density of deer and elk wildlife-vehicle collisions in the state? That’s why the Land Trust teamed up with a coalition of local organizations, agencies, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to help build new wildlife crossings on Highway 20.
Connecting wildlife habitat pathways has been a priority for the Land Trust since our inception. That's why we work to conserve lands that are not islands, and are instead connected to surrounding natural areas, providing animals options for movement. This is especially true for animals like deer and elk that migrate from summer range in the mountains, to less snowy winter range in the high desert.
This new project, the Bend to Suttle Lake Wildlife Passage Initiative, is geared towards helping migrating animals cross safely, while also reducing danger for people on busy highways like Highway 20. The initial goal is to build four overcrossings near Black Butte where wildlife are the most active and where collisions happen frequently. These overcrossings would be like bridges built over the highway that allow deer, elk, and other wildlife to cross safely.
While it's an ambitious effort, it's one the Land Trust supports because of the ways it will help our local wildlife thrive and improve safety for local communities. We encourage you to learn more about the project, see proposed locations, and find out how you can help: bend2suttlelakepassage.org
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