BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has been awarded two grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to improve pollinator habitats and wildlife crossings along state highways.

The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program grant of nearly $388,000 will allow MDOT SHA to identify areas with high wildlife-vehicle collision rates, develop design guidance to mitigate these collisions, and raise public awareness about the issue and the importance of habitat connectivity.

According to the U.S. Congress, over one million wildlife-vehicle collisions occur annually in the U.S., resulting in tens of thousands of serious injuries, hundreds of fatalities, and over $8 billion in costs.

The Roadside Pollinators Program grant of $150,000 will enable MDOT SHA to enhance its Pollinator Plan, adopt pollinator-friendly maintenance and operational practices, develop and install roadside signs identifying pollinator meadows, and create eight new roadside or median pollinator meadows across five counties.

This will add nearly eight acres of crucial pollinator habitat. Maryland is home to over 400 native bee species, the most important group of pollinators in the state, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Other vital pollinators are beetles, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. These creatures are crucial for a healthy ecosystem, food production, and supporting other wildlife.

“We are excited to use this funding to advance our wildlife crossing and pollinator programs that play a critical role in supporting Maryland’s environmental goals,” said State Highway Administrator Will Pines. “SHA looks forward to enhancing our state roadways with vibrant pollinator habitats and protecting Maryland’s wildlife through the investment in habitat connectivity.”

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.