Construction has officially begun on the Annenberg Wildlife Crossing! Annenberg Foundation staff were on hand to kick off the start of construction, as Caltrans crews started grazing a hillside in Agoura Hills to build what will be the world’s largest animal crossing. When completed, the crossing will stretch across ten lanes of the 101 Freeway and help local wildlife cross safely between critical biological hotspots throughout our region.
There was a large media presence to document this unprecedented project. Reporters and photojournalists gathered to hear from the Annenberg Foundation’s Executive Director Cinny Kennard, National Wildlife Federation’s Beth Pratt, and other officials on the importance of this public-private partnership.
“What is truly remarkable about the start of today’s construction is that this is the FIRST wildlife crossing to have significant private support – along with tremendous public support. The Annenberg Foundation has long been a believer in uniting the nonprofit, private, and public sectors. It’s the best way to get things done and to do what’s right. This is the new model of problem-solving. We are so proud to be part of this unprecedented project.”
– Cinny Kennard
Executive Director, Annenberg Foundation
The National Park Service reiterated the importance of the crossing and emphasized that it couldn’t come at a more necessary time. Seven mountain lions have been killed this year alone – five due to car collisions. Crossings like the one at Liberty Canyon will soon restore a fragmented habitat, allowing mountain lions and other species to roam and find food and mates without risk of an accident.
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