California Surveyed Route 62 for Wildlife Crossings

Researchers have begun a multi-year study to design wildlife crossings to improve habitat connectivity in the Mojave Desert.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Wildlife

Screen-print poster illustration of a desert highway winding through the Mojave, evoking environmental research into wildlife migration paths. — State-funded researchers have begun a multi-year study along California's State Route 62 to design wildlife crossings that restore critical habitat connectivity. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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State-funded researchers have launched an extensive survey along State Route 62 to design infrastructure aimed at protecting local wildlife. The initiative seeks to reconnect habitats between the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino Mountains while reducing road-related animal fatalities.

Why it matters

Wildlife crossings are designed to restore critical migration corridors for species like mountain lions and bighorn sheep. This project aims to prevent the high number of collisions that occur when animal paths intersect with busy highways.

The Mojave Desert Land Trust has secured over $6 million in state grants for the planning phase, including $5.5 million from the California Wildlife Conservation Board. Between October 2019 and November 2020, 232 fatal wildlife-vehicle collisions were recorded on State Route 62.

The players

Mojave Desert Land Trust

This organization is a non-profit group focused on protecting the Mojave Desert ecosystem and managing land conservation projects.

California Wildlife Conservation Board

This state entity is responsible for allocating funds and supporting projects that preserve and restore fish and wildlife habitats in California.

Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy

This state agency works to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Coachella Valley and surrounding mountain ranges.

The details

Teams are collecting animal scat for DNA analysis to identify individual animals and map movement patterns across the desert landscape. Trained detection dogs will join the effort in October to assist researchers in finding wildlife signs along the highway corridor.

September 25, 2026: The first phase of the study began.
October 6, 2026: Detection dogs and their handlers join the survey team.
April 2027: The first phase of the study is scheduled to conclude.
Spring 2027: Roadkill surveys are scheduled to begin.
December 2029: The second phase of the study is scheduled to conclude.

Culture Shift

This initiative reflects a growing commitment to restoring habitat connectivity through deliberate engineering solutions. It aligns with broader trends in California infrastructure that prioritize wildlife movement over traditional road-only designs.

Drivers frequently traveling on State Route 62 may encounter survey teams and detection dogs near the roadway throughout the multi-year study. The project ultimately aims to increase driver safety by reducing the frequency of wildlife-vehicle encounters.

The takeaway

Restoring migration corridors through targeted infrastructure is a long-term strategy to protect both local wildlife and human commuters. Completion of these crossings often requires nearly a decade of rigorous data collection and planning.