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Overview
Basics
Basics
Wildlands Network and Pathways for Wildlife are conducting a wildlife connectivity study throughout the Tahoe Basin. Funded by the California Tahoe Conservancy, this multifaceted study will utilize GIS modeling, conduct an extensive camera survey, and collect roadkill data to identify where and how wildlife are moving throughout the Basin. By collecting this data, we will be able to understand where there are bottlenecks and barriers to movement and where land management enhancements can be made to improve wildlife connectivity. Ultimately, this study will inform land managers where there are critical areas for wildlife and potential locations for wildlife crossing infrastructure.
Implementation
2023
2023
2028
$500,000
Mari Galloway (mari@wildlandsnetwork.org)
12/01/2023
02/04/2025
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| Location Information | Location Notes |
|---|---|
Organizations
Organizations
| California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) | Whitney Brennan - California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) | |||
| Wildlands Network (WN) | Damon Yeh - (Unknown Organization) |
EIP Details
EIP Basics
EIP Basics
Performance Measures
Expected Performance Measures
Expected Performance Measures
No expected performance measures set for this project.
Reported Performance Measures
Reported Performance Measures
No annual performance measure accomplishments entered for this project.
| No accomplishments to report for: | |
| Year(s) | 2023, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Explanation | This project started in Fall of 2023 and has made significant progress in project setup and data collection, but the study is still in the early phases and has no measureable accomplishments to report. However, we have already begun valuable conversations with various agencies on potential locations for wildlife crossing infrastructure and are providing recommendations to improve permeability for wildlife in the South Basin. In 2024, we made significant progress on the study through project setup, data collection, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. However, since our project is an empirical study and not a habitat restoration project, we have not met any of the reportable performance measures. This year, we completed camera setup in the South Tahoe Basin project area and have been using that data to identify existing functional habitat linkages and movement barriers. In addition, the project team has been conducting weekly roadkill surveys. Our cameras have captured species such as porcupines, long-tailed weasels, a mountain beaver, and a pine marten on some California Tahoe Conservancy properties, and we have also captured black bear, coyotes, and bobcat crossing roadways. In total, we set up over 100 cameras in the South Tahoe Basin and captured over 1000 images and videos of wildlife. Using data from camera monitoring and roadkill surveys, we have identified 10+ structures in need of wildlife permeability enhancements on Pioneer Trail Road, Highway 50, and Highway 89. In August, we hosted a site visit to the South Tahoe Basin project area with funders and partners from 4 government agencies to publicize the study and the need for upgrades to improve wildlife connectivity in the region. We hosted a second site visit with El Dorado County Planner engineers, a well-known wildlife crossing design team, government agency staff, and others. Every quarter, we held a stakeholder group meeting with people from 12 different agencies and organizations. We also began the planning process for the West Tahoe Basin camera deployment. We are in the process of engaging with agency staff and others to determine optimal monitoring locations and are planning several field scouting days in the near future. |
Funding
Expected Funding
Expected Funding
$500,000
$500,000
$0
| Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) | $500,000 | $500,000 | $0 |
| Grand Total | $500,000 | $500,000 | $0 |
Reported Expenditures
Reported Expenditures
| Total | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Tahoe Conservancy | $126,332 | $92,771 | $33,561 |
| Grand Total | $126,332 | $92,771 | $33,561 |
Photos
Initial site visit with project team (Wildlands Network, Pathways for Wildlife, and CA Tahoe Conservancy) to discuss current and future trends of forest management and wildlife movement.
(Timing: Before) (~5,800 KB)
Bear crossing at-grade, Pioneer Trail Rd.
(Timing: During) (~715 KB)
Porcupine exploring a dense cover area. Lyons Ranch, CA Tahoe Conservancy.
(Timing: During) (~767 KB)
Coyote approaching Pioneer Trail Rd. at Trout Creek.
(Timing: During) (~1,696 KB)
Other Details
Watersheds
No watersheds set for this project.
Threshold Categories
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This project will identify roadkill hotspots and provide recommendations to reduce or eliminate wildlife-vehicle collisions.
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This project will identify key wildlife corridors and barriers to movement around the basin. This data will inform management practices to enhance wildlife connectivity in the Basin and throughout the greater Lake Tahoe region.
Local and Regional Plans
No Local and Regional Plans set for this project.
Related Projects
Related Projects
No Related Projects set for this project.
External Links
No external links entered.
Notes
Notes
No notes entered.