Research supporting the implementation of wildlife crossing infrastructure has articulated a ‘cost-benefit’ argument focused on the cost savings realized by avoiding collisions between motorists and wildlife. However, engagement focused on articulating the additional social and ecological benefits realized by wildlife crossing projects offers new opportunities to resonate with communities. The Green Infrastructure Toolkit addresses this ‘communications gap’ between professionals and the communities and provides actionable strategies and new ways of framing and re-framing the discussion surrounding wildlife crossings.
Overall, this project determined that the strongest pathway to actualizing wildlife crossings is through cultivating project champions. In addition to strategic recommendations, the Toolkit includes outreach materials alongside resources related to behavioural mapping, audience identification, project phasing and timing, and communications imperatives.
The Toolkit was developed as a component of Ryerson University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning’s Master’s studio course. This work was informed by a broad array of secondary research in addition to a significant primary research component. Over the course of three months, 10 experts and community leaders were interviewed regarding their professional opinions and participated in a strategic communications workshop. Participants included tribal wildlife managers, planners, engineers, and scientists and other practitioners and researchers in the field.