The Wildlands Network, a Utah-based conservation nonprofit with staff in Asheville, has released a new report (avl.mx/c2n) identifying North Carolina’s most important road crossings for wildlife. Of the 20 sites in the report, six are in Western North Carolina — including the nonprofit’s No. 1 site, Interstate 40’s path through the Pigeon River Gorge.
“The highway cuts right through what would otherwise be a massive core forest habitat block featuring some of the highest biodiversity in North America, hindering wildlife movement and blocking a crucial northern migration route,” says the report about the 28-mile Pigeon River Gorge section. Black bears, deer, elk and other species are regularly killed by vehicle collisions on the road.
Other WNC roads mentioned in the report include U.S. 19 at the Blue Ridge Parkway near Maggie Valley, I-40 east of Canton and I-26 at the North Carolina/Tennessee border. At each site, the Wildlands Network recommends building new infrastructure, such as bridges and culverts, that would allow wildlife to cross more safely.
As previously reported by Xpress [see “Somewhere safe: New Children’s Book Highlights Wildlife Crossing Project,” March 24, 2021, avl.mx/c2m], dangerous wildlife crossings take a human toll as well. N.C. Department of Transportation data indicates that, from 2017-19, animal-vehicle collisions in the state’s 18 westernmost counties caused over $10.5 million in property damage and at least 189 human injuries.
“North Carolina needs to be strategic about investing in crossing projects that will have the greatest impact on wildlife and travelers’ safety,” said Ron Sutherland, Wildlands Network’s chief scientist, in a press release announcing the report. “The question of the moment is: Where do we need wildlife road crossings in North Carolina? This report is our answer to that question.”
The N.C Department of Health and Human Services has a message for people encountering mysterious, fishy-smelling objects in the WNC woods: Leave them alone.
While that’s probably good advice any time of year, it’s particularly applicable now. NCDHHS is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to distribute oral rabies vaccines across the region. Packets containing the vaccine are coated in fishmeal or encased in matchbox-sized fishmeal blocks and dropped by plane or helicopter.
That fishmeal coating entices raccoons and other animals to bite down and swallow the medication. By vaccinating wildlife across WNC, officials hope to prevent raccoon rabies from spreading west of the Appalachians and reduce the local risk of infection.
An NCDHHS press release notes that anyone who comes into contact with the vaccine should wash the affected area with soap and water and call 866-487-3297. More information is available at avl.mx/c2k.
Asheville’s Southside Community Farm was selected as one of 100 projects for Lowe’s Hometowns, the home improvement store’s nationwide philanthropy effort. On Sept. 14, local Lowe’s employees helped farm manager Chloe Moore install a food forest with seating to provide a community gathering space.
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