Joshua Tree crossings planned in California’s Mojave Desert to protect wildlife with $6M-plus funding

Two wildlife crossings are planned over State Route 62 near Joshua Tree National Park. (Photo: KTLA) Wildlife crossings are increasingly being used across the United States to help animals safely navigate roads and highways, while reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. Now, two new crossings are being planned in California’s Mojave Desert near Joshua Tree National Park, in an effort to reconnect important wildlife habitats.The proposed crossings will span State Route 62, a highway that runs between Joshua Tree National Park to the east and the Sand to Snow National Monument to the west. Conservationists say the road has fragmented habitat and made it more difficult for wildlife to move between the two protected areas.The projects are part of a broader push for wildlife crossings in Southern California. Along with the two Mojave Desert crossings, three additional structures are planned to span Interstate 15. The region will also soon see the opening of the massive Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills.State Route 62 crossings years in the makingResearchers are studying wildlife movement in California’s Mojave Desert ahead of the crossings. (Photo: Mo...