NEW CALIFORNIA LAW PROTECTS WILDLIFE CONNECTIVITY

October 10, 2024 by The Wildlife Society

The rule instructs counties and cities to consider wild corridors when planning development

A new state law in California will instruct counties and municipalities to conserve wildlife corridors when planning new development. According to AB 1889, or the Room to Roam Act, signed recently into state law, local leaders will have to find areas that wildlife use to move through and “avoid, minimize or mitigate” impacts to these connectivity areas. This could entail everything from creating wildlife crossings at roads or highways, employing wildlife-safe fencing, or not developing on certain land. One of the goals is to bring cities and counties together in a state-wide effort to improve wildlife connectivity. The law will take effect in 2028. READ MORE…