SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Whenever a bear or other animal is killed while crossing a road around Lake Tahoe, discussion about underground paths or overpasses comes to the forefront. Instead of just discussion, Pathways for Wildlife is in action to solve the problem.
Pathways for Wildlife is a research organization developed by Wildlife Ecologist Tanya Diamond and Wildlife Researcher Ahíga Snyder in 2013. They have a long, successful track record of working with agencies, trusts, and organizations by collecting data to identify important and safe wildlife and habitat passages across roads and highways. Their data shows what linkages wildlife want to use and how connectivity can be implemented to reduce the numbers of injured and killed animals and allow them to move through the landscape safely.
The pair identifies problems, and helps solve them. They worked on the Highway 17 undercrossing project near Santa Cruz where there has been zero wildlife killed since it was installed. They also did the US395 undercrossing research north of Reno.
And now they are in South Lake Tahoe.
Tanya and Ahiga have been working on the South Shore and have over 100 cameras strategically placed throughout the area to study travel patterns of wildlife, including bears, coyotes, mountain lions, raccoons, deer, porcupines, and bobcats. The couple are in the field year-round to study and understand animal crossings and how they interact with vehicles on the roadways.
Pathways for Wildlife is currently grant funded and working with the California Tahoe Conservancy, first on the South Shore, then they’ll head to the West Shore. Every two weeks the two partners meet to discuss the data they are collecting, and what is being learned in the field.
What Tanya and Ahiga are seeing and recording are wildlife running across Pioneer Trail all the time, with one area very popular with animal passage – the intersection of Golden Bear Trail and Pioneer Trail.
“We see bears, coyotes, deer, bobcats, beaver, porcupines,” said Tanya of the intersection. “We have seen them hit and taking a gamble every time they cross.
What their research shows is that the wildlife try the under-road culvert first, and would take that route if there wasn’t so much water in the culvert. With too much water they head up the hill to the road. A retrofitted culvert for Trout Creek and Cold Creek would help wildlife pass safely. Caltrans has been brainstorming with the pair, and has a culvert design has been created with one raised side for animals that allows the water to still flow.
The Trout Creek culvert:
Pathways and the other state agencies involved have created a partnership that works together to bring the need for wildlife passages to an actual project. In August 2024, the California Wildlife Reconnected campaign was launched by Governor Newsom, the California Natural Resources Agency, Caltrans, The Wildlife Crossing Fund, and the National Wildlife Federation. The partnership seeks to build wildlife crossings and improve wildlife movement across California.
“California’s unmatched natural beauty and biodiversity are at the heart of who we are as a state. With the launch of California Wildlife Reconnected, we’re taking bold steps to bridge the gaps that have long divided our landscapes,” said Governor Newsom. “Wildlife crossings are more than just infrastructure; they are essential to our 30×30 commitment to conserve 30 percent of our lands and coastal waters by 2030. These crossings serve as vital lifelines, connecting people to nature, and wildlife to its natural habitat – ensuring that our national treasures thrive for generations to come.”
“We are so excited, Tahoe is at the top of that list,” said Tanya of the Reconnected plan. They are now fundrasing for crossings on US50 and SR89.
The first gathering of California Wildlife Reconnected will be held on March 21, 2025, and it will advance the state’s connectivity efforts by fostering collaboration with the many organizations, agencies, communities and people undertaking the work like Tanya and Ahiga.
The pair said the collaboration of agencies at Lake Tahoe has been impressive. Before they arrived the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Conservancy were already working together.
“It’s all about partnerships,” said Tanya. “Up here are some of the most functional.”
Besides the California Tahoe Conservancy, another important partnership for Pathways is the Wildlands Network. “Tracking and mapping wildlife movement is critical to understanding which habitats are a priority for connecting and restoring. Our teams collect data and create maps to visualize pathways and identify barriers and gaps that need to be opened and connected,” the Network shares on its StoryMaps page.
When wildlife cannot cross highways and major thoroughfares, the juveniles have trouble dispersing. They need food, water, and mates and have to travel to get them. Pathways has worked “with some of the best” in animal crossings in the world, and said their input at Lake Tahoe will lead to “the best crossings.”
They hope to have substantial funding in place by summer so a feasibility study can be completed and crossings can be funded and built.
When installed, directional fencing will be used to guide wildlife into the culverts, but Tanya promises they won’t be “uglifying Tahoe.” She said the bears are smart and will lead the way for others to follow at crossings.
Pathways works with hydrologists and engineers to make sure the new culverts won’t be flooded and will be used.
“We’ll let the data speak,” said Tanya. “That will get all on board.”
For more on Pathways For Wildlife, visit https://www.pfwildlife.com/.
To hear more about Pathways For Wildlife, Tanya and Ahiga will be guests at the South Lake Tahoe Library on Tuesday, February 25 at 5:30 p.m.