College students from five North Carolina universities gathered Monday outside the State Legislative Building, urging lawmakers to include $10 million for wildlife crossings in the next state budget.
The protest, organized by the student-led advocacy group NC PIRG, culminated in the delivery of more than 2,000 petition signatures collected this semester.
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The students say wildlife crossings — bridges or tunnels that guide animals safely over or under busy roads — are a proven way to reduce collisions and protect species pushed into traffic by development and habitat loss.
“We live in a beautiful state, and it is our responsibility to protect its biodiversity,” said Abby Thompson, an environmental science student at UNC Charlotte. “Everyone knows someone who has been in a wildlife collision. This is about protecting all North Carolinians, both our wildlife and our people.”
North Carolina recorded more than 62,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions between 2021 and 2023. Federal Highway Administration research shows crossings paired with fencing can reduce those crashes by up to 97%.
“Roadkill is not just something you notice on the side of the road,” said Neha Panajkar, another UNC Charlotte student who spoke at the rally. “It affects people, animals, and infrastructure. Crossings are proven to work.”
Advocates say the issue is especially urgent for endangered species such as the red wolf, which exists only in eastern North Carolina. Fewer than 20 are known to survive in the wild, and several have been killed by vehicles in recent years.
“Wildlife crossings are a proven way to reduce these dangerous incidents, and as such are widely popular,” said Emily Mason, an advocate with Environment North Carolina, in a statement supporting the students. “No driver wants to collide with an animal on the road, big or small. But we need a way to ensure we can build and maintain these structures.” Mason said crossings offer critical protection for species such as the red wolf, black bears, and white-tailed deer, while improving driver safety across the state.
North Carolina received $25 million in federal funding last year to build crossings and fencing along U.S. 64 through Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, a hotspot for collisions involving large mammals. Students say that the project is an important start, but that a statewide plan will require sustained state funding.
Thompson said young voters want a voice in shaping that future. “Even the small wins show our voices matter,” Thompson said. “If we get involved now, we set the expectation that we will stay involved.”
Students plan to deliver their petition signatures to lawmakers this week.
“We have mountains on one side and beaches on the other,” Thompson said. “Our wildlife is part of who we are. Protecting it should be something everyone can support.”
