News
Word from the Smokies: I-40 rebuild to affect wildlife for decades
January 27, 2026
The planned wall would be a loss for wildlife that can’t be replaced by improvements elsewhere, Safe Passage advocates say, maintaining...
Word from the Smokies: Plans for rebuilding I-40 spur concern for wildlife
January 17, 2026
In the first project of its kind in North Carolina, NCDOT plans to use roller-compacted concrete to build an enormous wall—20–30...
2025 wins and next steps for wildlife crossings
December 17, 2025
A wildlife crossings update from Safe Passage: Cheers to an active 2025, plus more ways you can help in 2026.
Opinion: Plan for I-40 Pigeon River Gorge retaining wall misguided
December 1, 2025
This opinion piece by Dr. Ron Sutherland originally ran in the Nov. 30, 2025 Asheville Citizen Times. Sutherland serves as the...
Road ecologists study the intersection of transportation and the wild
October 15, 2025
Roads and ecology seem to be at opposing ends of the environmental spectrum. How can roads be ecological?
I-40 rebuild offers rare opportunity for wildlife conservation
February 19, 2025
Please note: Since this story published in November 2024, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced that two lanes of Interstate 40...
Rebuild stronger infrastructure now so NC can save later, featured in Raleigh News & Observer
October 6, 2024
When Vermont was hit by Hurricane Irene in 2011, its infrastructure was shattered, just as ours in North Carolina is now....
Creating Safe Passage, featured in Blue Ridge Outdoors
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...
NC Residents: Urgent action is needed for wildlife!
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...
Wildlife Conservation Spotlight: UT researcher Kristin Botzet contributes valuable data to bear movements in Pigeon River Gorge
April 5, 2024
Safe Passage Outreach Committee member Kimberly Smith, an EBCI Citizen and Southern Appalachian Representative for The Wilderness Society, profiles researcher Kristin...