pigeon river gorge

Creating Safe Passage, featured in Blue Ridge Outdoors

October 5, 2024

By Holly Kays

Extensive efforts to add highway wildlife crossings near the Smokies aim to protect animals and people

Editor’s Note: This story was published in the October issue of Blue Ridge Outdoors before Hurricane Helene devastated portions of western North Carolina and surrounding areas. Due to extensive flood damage on Interstates 40 and 26, the Safe Passage Fund Coalition is adapting its ongoing work to include assessing the affects of the storm to recently installed crossing improvements and working to collaborate with environmental and government partners to prioritize animal and human safety as these highways are being repaired and rebuilt.

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 and baseball game planned for the next day.

Then the car stopped “like we had hit a brick wall,” said Sarah Crawford, a Wake County representative in the North Carolina General Assembly.

In fact, they’d hit a 200-pound bear. Every air bag deployed, the front fender crumpled, and the car was left motionless in the dark—on a road where most people drive 70 miles per hour or more. Though the couple managed to escape mostly unscathed, the car was totaled, and the bear was dead.

It was a “pretty scary incident” that sent Crawford “down a rabbit hole” searching for information about how to make roads safer for both human travelers and native wildlife. That journey led her directly to the Safe Passage coalition, a group of people and organizations that has been working since 2017 to make wildlife crossings safer not only in its focus area of the Pigeon River Gorge, but also in hotspots across North Carolina and Tennessee.

“We at Safe Passage often use the tagline, ‘what’s good for wildlife is good for people,’” said Tim Gestwicki, the coalition’s steering committee chair and CEO of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. “And clearly, if they run into a large animal, the danger is there for people too. So it’s a perfect nexus of people and wildlife safety.”

Photo courtesy of NPCA/Wildlands Network.

Over the years, Safe Passage has become an increasingly organized collaborative of dedicated partners involved in everything from transportation planning to educational outreach and lobbying efforts—work that is predicated on foundational research it conducted starting in 2018. Coalition partners Wildlands Network and National Parks Conservation Association hired researchers Liz Hillard and Steve Goodman to tackle the project, and the pair placed 120 cameras along the 28-mile Pigeon River Gorge corridor. This stretch of Interstate 40 straddles the North Carolina-Tennessee line, bisecting a rugged landscape that falls mostly within either the Pisgah National Forest, Cherokee National Forest, or Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

View the full Blue Ridge Outdoors feature here.

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

April 5, 2024

By Kimberly Smith
EBCI Citizen, Southern Appalachian Representative for The Wilderness Society and Safe Passage Outreach Committee member

In March, we celebrated Women’s Herstory Month and recognized the invaluable contributions of women in the field of science and conservation. As a member of the Safe Passage Outreach Committee and a graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK), I am excited to shine the spotlight on a remarkable woman, Kristin Botzet, a UTK MS candidate, whose groundbreaking research is shaping the future of wildlife conservation in the Safe Passage I-40 Pigeon River Gorge project area and throughout the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

As we know, the Pigeon River Gorge is a critical corridor for wildlife and human movement. Here, Kristin and her team researched bear movement patterns. “While conducting my graduate research assessing the movements and outcomes of relocated black bears, I observed a remarkable occurrence,” she said. “One of the bears managed to navigate across I-40 an astounding seven times in a single month. Anyone familiar with the area, and that route knows what a feat that is; many bears don’t share that kind of luck.” Their findings are not only shedding light on the behavior of these iconic creatures but also informing conservation efforts to protect their habitat.

Beyond research, Kristin is passionate about engaging local communities and raising awareness about wildlife conservation. She gives presentations on bear biology and wildlife career opportunities to school groups at the Tremont Institute in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Through outreach activities and educational programs, she aims to inspire a new generation of conservationists. Safe Passage’s collaboration with grassroots organizations and Indigenous communities further amplifies their impact, fostering a deeper connection between people and nature. By being stewards of the land, we become the voices for those without words, the advocates for ancient trails, animals, plants and waters. Safe passage isn’t just about roads for two-legged; it’s about access for all, ensuring all creatures on this land and in these waters can journey unimpeded, that their habitats are intact, and their futures intertwine with ours.

Adult bears that become accustomed to foraging for human food or garbage may grow bold or persistent, prompting park rangers to capture and relocate them outside the park, hoping to help mitigate any potential human–bear conflicts.

But what happens to bears after they are relocated?

Recently, a research team from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (including graduate student lead researcher Kristin Botzet) set out to answer that very question — and they found that these bears often die within a few months of being moved. Many are struck by vehicles while attempting to cross roadways, including I-40, as they try to make their way back to the park.

University of Tennessee researcher and graduate student Kristin Botzet with an immobilized 393-pound male black bear, known as UT11 in the study.

Kristin’s journey into wildlife research is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Inspired by her childhood love for the outdoors, she embarked on a quest to explore her curiosity of animal movement patterns. “I have always been intrigued by the natural world, but in ways beyond thinking animals were cute and cuddly,” she said. “My childhood was devoured by endless hours playing ‘Zoo Tycoon’ and studying my grandpa’s animal encyclopedia. I even repeatedly rented the same ‘Really Wild Animals’ VHS tapes.” From her early days exploring nature to her current role as a M.S. candidate, Kristin has overcome challenges and blazed a trail for women in science. “Today, my 8-year-old self would be very proud. She answered the famous ‘What do you want to be when you grow up’ question in my third grade yearbook with ‘wildlife biologist,’ and here I am.”

As Kristin continues her research journey, her vision for the future is clear: to bridge the gap between science and advocacy. “I hope that my work inspires not only women but anyone who has a spark of interest in the field of natural resources and ecology,” she said. “The field of wildlife research is small, but critical, especially today. We need more people willing to contribute to meaningful change, and frankly, it’s a career path often overlooked because it really isn’t talked about in our primary education system.” With Safe Passage’s support, she hopes to translate her findings into actionable solutions, advocating for wildlife conservation at the local, state, and national levels. Together, we are building a more sustainable future for wildlife and humanity alike.

Why focus on the Pigeon River Gorge?

August 14, 2023

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Aerial photos of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge by SouthWings.

By Steve Goodman, Safe Passage Co-Research Lead and Conservation Biologist for National Parks Conservation Association

Safe Passage is on a mission to improve wildlife’s ability to safely cross I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge, resulting in improved public safety.

But, from a large landscape perspective, why have we chosen to expend valuable conservation and transportation resources here? And why now?

First, looking at a map of protected lands across the U.S., there is much less protected land in the East, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding national forest lands make up a substantial portion of it (Figure 1).

Furthermore, we’re right in the heart of The Nature Conservancy’s resilient and connected network designed to sustain biodiversity under a changing climate (Figure 2). This habitat corridor is critical for the long-term flow of regional plants and animals, yet I-40 has become a major barrier to wildlife movement. Researchers have estimated that in the Eastern U.S., only 2% of natural land areas retain enough connectivity to adequately allow plants and animals to track climate change. By adding wildlife corridors, we have an opportunity to increase that percentage tenfold.

Most compelling in a visual sense, however, is the now-famous Migrations in Motion map (Figure 3), produced by The Nature Conservancy. Based on modeling of the climactic needs of individual species, this animated map illustrates predicted movement routes of around 3,000 mammal, bird and amphibian taxa under current climate change projections, many of which are expected to track through the spine of the Southern Appalachians, including the Pigeon River Gorge.

Figure 3 – (Click to visit animated map)

Habituation at Harmon Den: Next steps for wildlife after crossing construction

April 14, 2023

After crossings are constructed, how soon can you expect wildlife to adapt to use new, safer passages?

Though infrastructure has been installed at the Harmon Den bridge in North Carolina (pictured above), more still must be done to attract wildlife to use the safer crossing.

Progress is being made at the Harmon Den bridge in North Carolina, where our partners at the N.C. Department of Transportation recently constructed infrastructure for wildlife. Since then, we’ve begun some early monitoring of how wildlife are interacting with the new crossings, which include wildlife-friendly benches and cattle guards and will, in the future, include fencing.

Of course, it may take some time for wildlife to habituate to this improved crossing opportunity in the landscape, especially while vegetation in the area is still recovering from the recent construction. To improve success, it’s important that creekside vegetation — like fast-growing tulip popular, black birch, and red maple — continues to reestablish, as it will provide important cover and protection for traveling wildlife. Consideration should also be given, however, to restricting tractor trailer parking along the on- and off-ramps, which — because engines are often left running — creates noise and garbage (including human waste) that may potentially deter wildlife movement toward the new crossings. Another opportunity to encourage wildlife to use the crossings would be to clean up the crushed concrete spill that occurred during bridge construction along the bank of Cold Springs Creek.

Finally, it is important to note that although the opportunistic wildlife improvements at Harmon Den are important for wildlife connectivity and reducing vehicle collisions long-term, there are limitations to combined human–wildlife structures when compared to standalone structures for wildlife only. The Safe Passage Fund Coalition has made several research-based recommendations for standalone wildlife structures north and south of Harmon Den.

— Steve Goodman, Safe Passage Co-Research Lead

Day versus night view from the wildlife crossing at Harmon Den. Trucks parking on the on- and off-ramps can discourage wildlife from making the safe trip under the highway.

Spring signals a time for elk movement in the mountains

April 14, 2023

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Elk 30216 and her calves throughout the years. During Safe Passage’s road ecology research in the Pigeon River Gorge, GPS collars revealed multiple years of one mother elk’s journey to and from her calving area.

While the elk population in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not migrate, they do make some relatively longer seasonal movements. In these spring months, pregnant females will move away from their herd to give birth in isolated areas. Cows usually carry one calf and give birth in late May through June. In late summer when the calf is large enough, the pair will rejoin their herd, just in time for the rut (mating season) that occurs in late September through early October.

During our road ecology research in the Pigeon River Gorge, elk monitoring with GPS collars revealed multiple years of one elk’s journey to access her calving area. In both years of monitoring, she left the Cataloochee Valley in early spring and crossed the interstate to access her calving area north of the roadway.

In late summer, the cow and her calf would begin their journey back to the park, again having to navigate crossing I-40. In the two years of monitoring, this elk crossed I-40 107 times, with the majority of those crossings occurring at the Tennessee–North Carolina state border, where the Appalachian Trail crosses under the interstate via a road bridge, and also across a road surface just north of that area.

In the map to the right, you can see her many crossings throughout the years — which she made both with and without her calves in tow, depending on the time of year. Each dot on the map represents the hourly location of this particular elk, Elk 30216.

— Liz Hillard, Safe Passage Co-Research Lead

Safe Passage research revealed the annual journey of one female elk, including 107 trips across I-40. Click the image to enlarge.

Research results unveiled for Safe Passage project area, providing framework for wildlife–vehicle collision prevention

June 29, 2022

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The burden imposed by I-40 on wildlife habitat connectivity and transportation safety makes the Pigeon River Gorge a national priority site for wildlife–vehicle collision mitigation.

On June 29, two partners of the Safe Passage Fund Coalition — Wildlands Network and the National Parks Conservation Association — released their official report, Road Ecology Research and Mitigation Strategies to Improve Wildlife Connectivity and Human Safety along I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge.

The much-anticipated report details the findings of more than three years of roadside research in the I-40 Pigeon River Gorge project area combined with analysis of 20 years of historical data. The study was one of largest road ecology research projects ever completed in the eastern United States.

The report was authored by a team of cooperating researchers and scientists:

Liz Hillard – Ph.D., Senior Wildlife Biologist, Wildlands Network
Steve Goodman – Conservation Biologist, National Parks Conservation Association
Ron Sutherland – Ph.D., Chief Scientist, Wildlands Network
Jeff Hunter – Southeast Regional Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association

Based on the research findings, the report provides 20 detailed mitigation recommendations for improvements to existing structures or creation of new structures throughout the Gorge, and calls for installation of a system of strategically placed wildlife fencing. Additionally, through consensus, the report’s authors provide seven “top priority” recommendations, including key opportunities to construct wildlife overpasses and install larger culverts under the highway.

Click here to read the executive summary of the report, and click here to read the report in full.

READ THE SUMMARY

The research provides the framework for mitigation strategies to both improve existing structures and construct new wildlife-specific structures to reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs) and increase wildlife habitat connectivity.