Safe Passage

The I-40 Pigeon River Gorge Wildlife Crossing Project

Help us build a way to get animals safely across I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge.

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“C’mon baby!”

To cross or not to cross?

For wildlife whose ancestors have traversed our landscapes for centuries in search of food, mates, and territory, this is not the question. Their instinct is to continue moving across age-old geographical paths. 

But humans have made this natural migration more and more difficult by fragmenting large sections of protected forest, bisecting them with huge roads fraught with heavy, fast-moving vehicles. 

The resulting rise in collisions with large mammals has become a serious concern not only for conservation, but also for human safety, economics and culture. 

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Video courtesy of Susan Detwiler. While driving through the Pigeon River Gorge, Susan and her husband captured this hold-your-breath moment, which demonstrates the dangerous plight of wildlife navigating our roadways. They sent us this video in support of the work being done to help these animals.

Meet the Animals

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Help Them Cross

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We’re In This Together

Nearly a hundred professionals and staff from more than 20 partner organizations contribute their time, skills, and technical assistance. Together, we are working to create opportunities for wildlife to safely cross Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge. 

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Latest News

Rebuild stronger infrastructure now so NC can save later, featured in Raleigh News & Observer

Posted on October 6, 2024

When Vermont was hit by Hurricane Irene in 2011, its infrastructure was shattered, just as ours in North Carolina is now. Someone up there had the wisdom to make sure every culvert, bridge and building that was destroyed was replaced by a version that was...

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Creating Safe Passage, featured in Blue Ridge Outdoors

Posted on October 5, 2024

By 10 p.m., interstate 40 was dark and deserted as North Carolina State Representative Sarah Crawford and her husband Dan cruised east past Morganton, N.C. They were eager to reach their hotel for some rest between the wedding they’d just attended and the comedy show...

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NC Residents: Urgent action is needed for wildlife!

Posted on April 26, 2024

The North Carolina General Assembly opens this week, and the Safe Passage Coalition is asking legislators to set aside funds for wildlife crossings across the state.  We need your help!North Carolina residents, please contact your representatives today and urge them to support $10 million for targeted funding...

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Wildlife Conservation Spotlight: UT researcher Kristin Botzet contributes valuable data to bear movements in Pigeon River Gorge

Posted on April 5, 2024

Safe Passage Outreach Committee member Kimberly Smith, an EBCI Citizen and Southern Appalachian Representative for The Wilderness Society, profiles researcher Kristin Botzet for Women's Herstory Month.

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Every Dollar Matters: Support Safe Passage this holiday season

Posted on December 20, 2023

Donations help us continue our work of making I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge safer for wildlife and humans alike — and when we say "every dollar matters," we mean it.

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Subscribe to the Safe Passage newsletter to stay up to date with upcoming events, how you can help, and what the coalition is doing towards wildlife mitigation in the region. 

Bears at guardrail image courtesy of Bridget Donaldson, Virginia Transportation Research Council.