Celebrating a Major Milestone Toward the Completion of Two Wildlife Crossing Projects on US 395 Near Mammoth

Celebrating a Major Milestone Toward the Completion of Two Wildlife Crossing Projects on US 395 Near Mammoth

Project partners will offer the press updates at an event next week and unveil initial design phase renderings for two crossings that will connect a critical mule deer migration corridor and protect all area wildlife  

Mammoth Lakes, CA (July 9, 2026) – Key project team members behind an effort to complete two wildlife crossings on US 395 in Mammoth will celebrate an effort that will reconnect a historic mule deer migration corridor and make US 395 safer for wildlife and people. The Mammoth Lakes US 395 Wildlife Crossings Project will reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve wildlife connectivity by constructing an infrastructure series that includes an overpass at Morrison Hill, an underpass at Convict Creek, along with wildlife exclusion fencing and jump outs. Members of the press are invited to see the future site of the project for an exciting update and the release of new visualizations of the proposed series of crossings.

Event:
Tour & Milestone Update for Mammoth US 395 Wildlife Crossings Project

Date:
Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Time:
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.      Press Interviews & Access to the Site
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.     Public Event at Mammoth Brewing Company

Location:
Mammoth US 395 Wildlife Crossings Project Site
906 Benton Crossings Road
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Interviews:
Beth Pratt – President and CEO of The Wildlife Crossing Fund
Robert Rock – President and Founder of Rock Design Associates
Katie Rodriguez – Biologist at Rock Design Associates
Stephen Pfeiler – Senior Environmental Scientist for Caltrans District 9
Jazmín Ortega – Public Information Chief & Workforce Development Manager for Caltrans District 9
Neal Sharma – Director, California Wildlife Program, Wildlife Conservation Network

Parking:
Members of the press can park in the area adjacent to the site.

In Mono County, California, a ten-mile segment of US 395 located outside the town of Mammoth Lakes has been found to contain four wildlife roadkill hotspots that also bisect a major migration corridor for two mule deer herds: the Round Valley and the Casa Diablo. But it’s not just the deer who suffer from vehicle traffic. Bears and their cubs have been killed in the area, along with a host of other wildlife such as mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, brush rabbits, grey foxes, and threatened species like sage grouse. One of the rarest mammals in the country has been sighted in the area, the Sierra Nevada red fox, and dispersing wolves in California have traveled nearby.

The Wildlife Crossing Fund considers this one of the highest priority projects in California, as it helps ensure a historic migratory path is preserved for mule deer, a species that faces increased challenges in the Sierra Nevada in light of climate change, extreme weather events, and increasing development. This crossing will also provide passage between the Sierra Nevada and open space to the east for an array of species.

The project is a result of the collaborative efforts of the members of the Eastern Sierra Wildlife Stewardship Team: Bridgeport Indian Colony, Bureau of Land Management, California Deer Association, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Caltrans District 9, Defenders of Wildlife, Eastern Sierra Land Trust, Inyo County, Inyo County Fish and Game Commission, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Mammoth Lakes Trails & Public Access Foundation, Mono County, Mono County Local Transportation Commission, National Wildlife Federation, Rock Design Associates, Town of Mammoth Lakes, US Fish and Wildlife, Wildlands Network, Wildlife Conservation Network, The Wildlife Crossing Fund.

The Wildlife Crossing Fund is a movement that aims to raise a half-billion dollars from private philanthropy and leverage public dollars: the goal is to accelerate construction of wildlife crossings across California, the United States, and beyond, reconnecting lands for our collective future.

To learn more about the Wildlife Crossing Fund visit www.wildlifecrossingfund.org and follow them on Instagram @wildlifecrossings.

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The Wildlife Crossing Fund is a non-profit that supports innovative infrastructure systems that reconnect ecosystems disrupted by roadways. To learn more about our work advancing wildlife crossings and other connectivity projects visit wildlifecrossingfund.org

News Staff