Support Wildlife Corridors in Pennsylvania!
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. We have lost 1 in 4 bird species in the last 50 years, half of the mammal species are rapidly decreasing, and many have said that we’re witnessing an insect apocalypse. At this rate, ⅓ to ½ of all species could become extinct by 2050.
Habitat loss and fragmentation are the biggest drivers of species decline and extinction worldwide. Fragmentation reduces the ability of wildlife to migrate, find mates, establish new territories, and may limit their access to food and water. Fragmentation also limits wildlife’s ability to adapt to climate change. As the climate warms, wildlife will need to move to more suitable habitats. Connections northward and upward will be particularly important as our climate warms, to provide pathways to cooler climates, including mountain ranges.
Fragmented landscapes also present a danger to wildlife and humans. They increase the number of wildlife-vehicle crashes as more animals are forced to cross roads to access habitat. Here in Pennsylvania, we have the highest number of deer-related crashes in the country.
But we can live in a world where wildlife and humans live side by side, where we connect wild spaces for big mammals and small birds alike to move through the landscape safely. We can combat fragmentation with conservation corridors - intentionally connecting habitats, be they national parks, state parks, or private land. Right here in Pennsylvania, we have an opportunity to be a leader in our region. Our ecology is unique, located at the intersection of several ecological regions and river basins, and has several naturally existing corridors. These landscapes mean that our state is an important player in creating habitat for numerous species important to the Mid-Atlantic region.
That’s why we’re working to make wildlife corridors a priority for our elected officials in Pennsylvania.
Can you help wildlife in Pennsylvania by signing this petition asking your state representative to take meaningful action to support wildlife corridors?
Sponsored by
To:
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Representative ________,
It is important to acknowledge that our lives have changed drastically in the past few months, but it is not time to sit back. By addressing our long-term relationship with biodiversity and the environment, we can prevent pandemics like the coronavirus from happening again. Healthy ecosystems mitigate disease and keep us resilient to changing environments.
Habitat loss and fragmentation are the biggest drivers of species decline and extinction worldwide. Without the ability to move between spaces, animals can’t migrate, find mates, establish new territories, or find food and water. Fragmentation also limits wildlife’s ability to adapt to climate change. Pennsylvania is home to the largest forests between New York City and Denver, but these forests are being carved up by roads and human development.
The good news is that we can combat fragmentation and protect biodiversity with wildlife corridors. By intentionally connecting habitats - be they national parks, state parks, or private land - we can support the ability of wildlife to move between areas with intact ecological functions. By prioritizing corridors, we can protect the vulnerable plants and animals that support Pennsylvania’s economy through tourism and outdoor recreation.
Pennsylvania is in a unique position to be a leader for wildlife corridors in the Northeast. Please take meaningful action to support wildlife corridors, as an essential step forward in conservation for our state.
Thank you,