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 for wildlife crossings in the state budget this year. A sample below can aid in messaging.
If you don’t know who your N.C. representatives are or how to reach them, please visit ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators.
Read on for more details on this effort.
Thank you for speaking up for wildlife!
— Your friends at Safe Passage Coalition
Dear Representative/Senator ______,
I am a constituent of yours from [CITY], North Carolina, and I am urging you to support $10 million in targeted state funding for wildlife crossings. Wildlife and motorists across our state need added protections on roadways; according to State Farm, North Carolina is a high-risk state for animal-vehicle collisions, coming in at 16th in the nation. Estimates show that these collisions cost N.C. a total of $400-$500 million per year.
Wildlife crossings can take various forms based on location, from simple fencing around underpasses and culverts to overpasses spanning the roadway. Properly designed wildlife crossings pay for themselves in costs saved for emergency and medical assistance, property damage, and value of animals lost.
Please support targeted state funding to improve motorist safety, reduce collision costs, and protect valued natural resources.
Thank you,
[YOUR NAME]
*When using the email template from this link, remember to add in your representative’s email address and name, as well as your own town or city.
Click here to find your legislator’s contact information.