— Written by Lyle Jarvis

The World’s Largest Wildlife Corridor 🏞️

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing has been more than a decade in the making. In the 2010s, evidence began to pile up that California's mountain lions and other species were suffering from genetic isolation, and experts began making more and more pleas to find a solution.

In 2015, CalTrans proposed a plan for a massive bridge over the 101, relying on donations from the public, with a lofty budget and monstrous timeline (flashback to this article in the LA Times, 2015, CalTrans’ proposal with the NWF).

Eventually, with a historic $25 million lead gift from the Annenberg Foundation, funding was secured in 2021. The following year, the project broke ground on Earth Day 2022, and now, it’s finally beginning to take shape above the 101 in Agoura Hills. Check out this video to get a sense of size! 

But why does habitat connectivity matter so much in California in particular?

The Importance of Habitat Connectivity 🌱

Wildlife corridors like this one are vital for California’s biodiversity. The state is a global hotspot, home to more species than anywhere else in the U.S., but development, highways, and climate change have carved up critical habitats. This creates a hugely unfortunate mismatch, leaving animals like mountain lions to face things like starvation, displacement and fatal vehicle collisions.

Bonus resource: Wild L.A.: Mountain Lions, Grizzly Bears & the Land that Once Was (PBS)

The crossing, designed with native plants and trees, blends seamlessly into the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding hills, creating a safe passageway for species to move, hunt, and reproduce.

Essentially, these species need more room to roam, and the corridor is making it happen.

So, What’s Next? 📈

The plan made particular headlines in June, for entering its final phase. But first, while you’re reading this – just take a minute to celebrate. In today’s political headwinds, with federal protections under strain, it’s more important than ever to stop and recognize victories like this corridor. While it's not done yet, it's a good reminder that bold, creative solutions aren't just possible, they're actually happening!

And it's not just California (although there are several smaller projects happening across the state). Colorado has built overpasses on I-70 where elk herds now cross safely. Utah, Oregon, and Washington are following suit. The data is clear: these crossings work, reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 90%. In a year when federal protections for wildlife are facing rollbacks, projects like this are a reminder to celebrate wins where we can.

The bridge is expected to open in 2026.

Bonus read: Bonus read (from June) The world’s largest wildlife crossing is entering Stage 2: What’s that mean for traffic? (LA Times)

Pieces of the Puzzle: The Triple Planetary Crisis 🌎

Biodiversity problems are just one piece of our planetary puzzle, and one of three main interlinked issues humanity is facing alongside climate change and pollution. Together, these three issues are what’s known as the Triple Planetary Crisis.

As the year goes on, we’ll be exploring more topics on how all three are connected, and dive deeper into pollution-specifics, biodiversity as it relates to climate change, and how solutions to one of these issues is a win for all three of them.

ICYMI: Here’s a newsletter we published on urban biodiversity earlier this summer.

Bonus read: Mapping Hope: Citizen Science and the Triple Planetary Crisis (Earth Journalism Network)

👀 Some Stories You Might Have Missed This Week 🗞️📺:

1. Thanks to solar surges, Britain recorded it's cleanest quarter ever (Drax Global)

2. First onshore wave energy project in the U.S. launches in Los Angeles (LA Times)

3. NOAA and partners deploy mini ocean robots to collect hurricane data (NOAA)

Community Reminder: Sun Day 🫂☀️📅

Heads up, readers: Don’t forget about Sun Day on September 21st!

Sun Day is a new tradition, made to recreate the magic of Earth Day (which began in 1970), spotlights solar energy and the communities driving a renewable future. Join us, other climate warriors, scientists and community leaders in celebrating solar!

Show your support by drawing and signing your sun here.

(And read a New York Times story on Sun Day here).