Greater Yellowstone is home to some of the last remaining long-distance wildlife migrations in North America. Many of these migration routes are threatened by roads and highways. The Wyoming Range mule deer herd is one example and crosses a 19-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 189 between La Barge and Big Piney, Wyoming. The area has one of the highest rates of mule deer-vehicle collisions in the state. It is estimated that 3,000 mule deer, 300 to 500 pronghorn, 100 to 150 elk, and 50 to 100 moose cross this section of road annually. The problem of wildlife collisions on Highway 189 has long been a priority for Wyoming’s transportation and wildlife agencies.

On average, 124 mule deer are hit each year on this stretch of highway as they cross the two-lane blacktop in pursuit of critical winter range. Once there, research has shown mule deer tend to cross the roadway frequently to find food, water, and cover throughout the winter months. This behavior makes this stretch of road even more dangerous for people and wildlife.

In 2019, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition partnered with Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Wyoming Game and Fish, and Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust (WWNRT) to help address this dangerous situation. The project, estimated at roughly $18 million, includes up to eight wildlife underpasses, along with eight foot high wildlife funnel fencing to help wildlife move safely under the highway.

GYC helped WYDOT secure a $14.5 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration, raised $400,000 in grants from the Volgenau, Knobloch, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundations, and worked with our non-profit partners to create a matching fund opportunity through the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission as well as the Wyoming Transportation Commission have also contributed $1.25 million each to the project. Now, with nearly $18 million in hand, the project is slated to start construction in 2022.

With this project, Wyoming is continuing to showcase its proven leadership in building wildlife crossings. Projects include Trappers Point near Pinedale, Nugget Canyon in Lincoln County, and several structures in Teton County near Jackson Hole. Thanks to your support, GYC is protecting migration paths and helping make roadways safer for families and wildlife by reducing vehicle-wildlife collisions by up to 90 percent.

- Chris Colligan, Wildlife Program Coordinator