The race to save endangered mountain lions in the Calif. desert

"Before state Route 62 was built, there was seamless 95-mile-long habitat connectivity between the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino mountain ranges, extending from the I-10 south of Joshua Tree National Park to the I-15 near the Cajon Pass. Now, plans for two new wildlife crossings across the highway aim to bring back some of that connectivity, while potentially saving a local population on the brink of extinction in the process."

"A $5.5 million grant from California's Wildlife Conservation Board, announced last month, will fund the planning process for the two crossings, which would go over the Morongo and Yucca grades. The grant is going to the Mojave Desert Land Trust, while Caltrans, the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission and the Mojave Desert Resource Conservation District will be local agency partners."

"The three-year grant should bring the two crossing projects to 65% design completion, according to the land trust, including technical studies, environmental review and stakeholder outreach. After the planning phase, additional funding will be needed to move forward with construction of the wildlife crossings."

State Route 62, which connects Los Angeles to Joshua Tree, has severely disrupted mountain lion habitat by severing a previously continuous 95-mile corridor between the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino mountain ranges. The highway's steep grades and high-speed traffic create dangerous barriers for wildlife crossing. A $5.5 million grant from California's Wildlife Conservation Board will fund planning for two wildlife crossings over the Morongo and Yucca grades. The Mojave Desert Land Trust will lead the project with support from Caltrans and local conservation agencies. The three-year grant will advance the projects to 65% design completion, including technical studies, environmental review, and stakeholder engagement, though additional funding will be needed for construction.

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