Abstract Manager

The value of partnerships in wildlife collision mitigation 

Education, health care, and affordable housing will likely be the main topics going into an election year here in British Columbia in 2024, but where does one find $30 million to install a wildlife overpass to ensure connectivity for grizzly bears and elk against these other important priorities?  I believe the answer to the question is partnerships.  This presentation will focus on projects such as Reconnecting the Rockies, Radium Wildlife Overpass, Summit Lake Western Toad Tunnels, Lac Le Juene Western Toad tunnels, and on the fish side, the Winlaw Creek culvert replacement and the partnerships formed to see these projects move forward into construction.  Partnerships bring with it potential financial support, but even more important is the ability to leverage funds from other agencies or the government, partnerships can also leverage political support at the Provincial and Federal levels, they can spy for you and fill you in on neighboring jurisdictions.  Partners also bring with them expertise and connections you never thought possible, as well as moral support when you have setbacks in your plans moving forward.  I hope to present on what our partnerships have looked like in British Columbia to keep wildlife off the highways and the motorists safe.