Episode 183: The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing – Beth Pratt on Reaching the Finish Line
Summary
Host Jack Humphrey interviews Beth Pratt, California Regional Executive Director of the National Wildlife Federation, about the imminent completion of the Wallace-Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over Highway 101 in Southern California. They discuss the 14-year effort to save genetically isolated mountain lions, inspired by the famous cat P-22, and the engineering challenges of creating a quiet, dark habitat above heavy traffic. The conversation highlights early success, such as butterflies and deer already using the structure, and explores how this project serves as a global blueprint for large…
Topics discussed
Introduction: Wildlife crossings as hopeful rewilding
The 14-year journey to build the crossing
Personal exhaustion and the moral compass
Early signs of life: Birds and butterflies on the bridge
Construction status and predicting the first crossing
The story of P-22 and the power of connectivity
Public support and the need for large-scale solutions
Global inspiration and the science of fragmentation
Ecological impacts: Car collisions and genetic isolation
Historical context: Building infrastructure without wildlife care
Systemic change: Caltrans and new connectivity mandates
Global collaboration and the Wildlife Crossing Fund
The grueling reality of project management and advocacy
Engineering silence and darkness: Soundproofing and light
Habitat fidelity: Soil, native plants, and micro-ecosystems
Emotional reactions and the promise of the first crossing
Monitoring plans and long-term research
The payoff of persistence and closing thoughts
Outro and call for support
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