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

Not just about the bears: Researchers consider mesocarnivore needs in Safe Passage study

Posted on May 6, 2022

Black bear, elk and white-tailed deer aren't the only animals being studied through the Safe Passage project. Co-research lead Steve Goodman examines the needs of mesocarnivores when it comes to wildlife crossings in the Pigeon River Gorge.

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You Can’t Fix What You Can’t Measure: The Fundamental Role of Good Data in Successful Wildlife Crossing Projects

Posted on May 4, 2022

In a Wednesday, May 11, webinar, two Safe Passage committee members join a national panel of experts to explore the role of data and data collection tools in identifying ideal locations for wildlife infrastructure in the region. "You Can't Fix What You Can't Measure: The...

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Event: Grateful Dead stream + benefit for Safe Passage, May 25

Posted on April 28, 2022

Just one day shy of the concert's 50th anniversary, join Safe Passage in grooving to the Grateful Dead’s scintillating London performance from May 26, 1972, streaming in its entirety at Homeplace Beer Co. in Burnsville. Jeff Hunter from National Parks Conservation Association will emcee the...

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Wildlands Network’s Nikki Robinson reflects on Safe Passage TEDx Talk

Posted on April 14, 2022

Nikki Robinson was one of nine speakers at the 2022 TEDx Asheville event, which carried a fitting theme of Building Bridges; Opening Doors. Robinson — who manages local conservation projects for Wildlands Network — gave a presentation about how to stop roadkill in North Carolina.

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In the News: Smoky Mountain Living interviews Safe Passage’s Jeff Hunter

Posted on March 15, 2022

In February 2022, Smoky Mountain Living published an interview with Safe Passage facilitator Jeff Hunter.

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