This article describes an International Scanning Tour for Wildlife Habitat Connectivity across European highways in October 2001 to visit portions of five nations to determine which strategies might be adapted for use in the United States. During the period since the end of the tour, the participants have used the insights gained during the tour and applied them in the U.S. context. New techniques, training courses and workshops, print and online resources for practitioners, policy advocates and on the ground research are some of the efforts. The participants brought back from their European counterparts observations and ideas on wildlife issues that can be incorporated into transportation projects. Issues such as understanding habitat issues, early integration of wildlife impact mitigation into project planning, tools for mapping habitat, managerial support, and interagency cooperation.
Abstract