How Four States Are Funding Wildlife Crossings For Better Safety

InnovationSustainabilityHow Four States Are Funding Wildlife Crossings For Better SafetyByNoël Fletcher,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Noel Fletcher is a reporter covering renewable energy and wildlifeFollow AuthorMay 31, 2026, 10:08pm EDTMay 31, 2026, 10:11pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.In California, construction is nearing completion on the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills.Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reservedDrivers in Colorado, Oregon, Utah and Virginia will be safer due to new laws enacted to create more wildlife road crossings that will reduce collisions with vehicles.State Farm’s currently estimates that 1.7 million auto insurance claims were filed in the U.S. due to vehicle collisions with from animals from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Crashes with deer are linked to more than 1.1 million claims.States with the most motorists colliding with wildlife, according to State Farm, were:West Virginia (1 in 40),Montana (1 in 53)Wisconsin (1 in 58),Michigan (1 in 61), andPennsylvania (1 in 62).To protect both drivers and wildlife, many states will have new laws on the books that will provide key revenue to pay for wildlife corridors. These are used especially during migrations for a variety of species such as tiny salamanders to large elk and moose. States are getting creative in devising how the money will be collected either through taxation or voluntary donations by state residents.Oregon Rolling Out “1.25% for Wildlife” Hotel TaxBighorn ram near Imnaha, Oregon.gettyStarting June 5, Oregon will have a dedicated revenue stream for wildlife from generated by a 1.25% increase in the state transient lodging tax dedicated for wildlife. Gov. Tina Kotek enacted House Bill 4134 on April 9 during the 2026 regular session of the state legislature. The new tax will rise fr...