Wildlife Crossings and Roadway Safety: Advancing Wildlife Connectivity and Collision Mitigation in Virginia

Past Student Researchers

Jamie Plumeri '27, Majors: Integrative Conservation and Biology; 2026 CRP
Percy Zimering '26, Major: Integrative Conservation; Minor: Economics
Taylor Uem '26, Majors: Sociology and Environmental Policy
Sofia Politte '26, Major: Integrative Conservation; CRP 2024
Cayley Santella '25, Major: Integrative Conservation; CRP 2024
Alexa Busby '24, Major: Biology; Major: Environmental Science; CRP 2023

Faculty Mentors

Dr. John Swaddle (2024-2026)
Dr. Richard Boakye

Project Description

Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a growing conservation and public safety challenge in Virginia, threatening wildlife populations, disrupting habitat connectivity, and putting motorists at risk. In collaboration with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and partners across the Commonwealth, William & Mary students are conducting action-oriented research to support the planning, design, and implementation of wildlife crossing structures and other mitigation measures in Loudoun County, Virginia.

This work advances the objectives of Virginia's multi-agency Wildlife Corridor Action Plan, including reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, identifying priority areas for mitigation, improving driver safety, and increasing public awareness of wildlife connectivity challenges. As a multi-year interdisciplinary effort, the project has engaged students and faculty across departments to address ecological, social, and transportation issues through research on collision hotspots, wildlife use of proposed mitigation sites, stakeholder decision-making processes, traffic noise impacts, and communication strategies to reduce collisions.

In 2027, the project will continue to support DWR priorities by evaluating the effectiveness of wildlife fencing projects, investigating opportunities to improve wildlife crossing design, addressing critical knowledge gaps in wildlife interactions with roads, increasing public awareness of wildlife-vehicle collisions, and providing information to key decision-makers involved in mitigation planning and implementation. Through these efforts, the project aims to improve road safety, maintain wildlife connectivity, and provide science-based guidance for effective wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation across Virginia.

Skills and Prereqs

We are looking for a student with a background in data science and data analysis.

Travel

Travel will primarily involve students driving  within Virginia to meet with partners and  to validate field sites. Students should thereforeb be comfortable and willing to travel and drive as needed for project-related activities.

Notes for Applicants

This project is a good fit for students interested in wildlife conservation, road ecology, transportation, habitat connectivity, and applied research. Students should be comfortable working outdoors, engaging with conservation and transportation partners, and contributing to research that directly informs wildlife-crossing and collision-mitigation decisions. 

Number of Students

1

Project ID - Format

23-013-27- CRP Year

 

Interested in this project?

Review the CRP application requirements and submit your application by October 25, 2026.