Click on photos for larger image. VTrans' Largest Species of Concern Sue Morse and Group Sue Morse and Jim Andrews Group Looking for Salamanders Nelson Hoffman with a Rat Snake

VTrans, in collaboration with VT Fish and Wildlife, Keeping Track Inc.®, Jim Andrews, Herpetologist has undertaken training sessions to raise awareness on the impacts of transportation to habitat connectivity among a diverse group of VTrans employees.  The interdisciplinary team of participants within VTrans will be involved in data collection/survey in upcoming VTrans projects to assess if wildlife are present in the projects corridor and if the data supports the need for wildlife crossings or habitat connectivity.  As a result of the trainings an interagency steering committee was created to work on data collected and select various projects.  This effort will expand on an existing theoretical base and develop practical applications for incorporating knowledge into planning. This project was presented at the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation in the fall of 2003.  It was also selected as a semi-finalist in an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Environmental Stewardship Competition, and was presented at the AASHTO annual meeting in Minneapolis in the fall of 2003. VTrans continues the refinement of data collection/survey techniques developed in 2003, will put the techniques to practice on select projects deemed necessary by the steering committee, continue to integrate all wildlife crossing efforts in one unified larger initiative and implement further trainings within VTrans. Article by Glenn Gingras, VTrans Environmental Biologist. Photos by Chris Slesar, VTrans Environmental Specialist, SW Region For information about this initiative please contact: Chris Slesar, VTrans Environmental Specialist Supervisor 1 National Life Drive Montpelier, VT  05633 chris.slesar@state.vt.us (802) 828 - 5743 For additional information use this link: Wildlife Protection and Habitat Connectivity