How Indigenous values inspired the largest network of wildlife crossings in USA

[@vincenzot4]

A beautiful and inspiring example of how to seamlessly blend culture and nature. Salish and Kootenai people help us see that our world includes all living beings, two-legged, four-legged, six legged, and more, and in truly seeing them, we can easily find ways to avoid running them over.

[@moonsweptvilla5842]

"As tribal people living on the remnant of our homeland our connection to our past, our connection to our culture rests on the fact that wild animals are still here." What a beautiful story this is!

[@MongabayTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@MargaretCorrigan]

How unusual, and deeply heartening, to learn that there was such collaborative process, and that it led to an outcome which respects the traditions and heritage of tribal sovereignties and diminishing wildlife while avoiding deadly vehicle collisions. Thank you for spreading the word about this model for decision making.

[@rochelleferrera595]

I wish these were all across the country and there were more of them.

[@JW4REnvironment]

These are fantastic wildlife crossings that have made a huge impact on keeping ecosystems in Montana in better shape! I am grateful to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation for negotiating such a great example for all of the U.S. to note and hopefully follow. In our area in Southern California, we are finally building ONE wildlife bridge over the 101 Freeway west of Los Angeles. I am hopeful that Southern California will start to plan many more, such as over the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass, the 101 in the Hollywood Hills, and many other freeways that prevent our native animals from moving between different habitats. Thanks to Mongabay for posting this inspiring example of working more with nature and not only against it.

[@arissa3959]

Gosh, that's just so amazing. We need to collaborate more often in this way

[@virginiamontgomery220]

Kudos to all who worked to find common ground and effective solutions! Kudos to the filmmakers!

[@richardjohnson5529]

This is something that should be done on all highways and railways not just in the US but all around the world.

[@leslieholland7843]

This far-reaching commitment to the environment and their duty to the animals and others is what makes the Indigenous People so valuable to our country. Thank you for sharing this.

[@TessaHuxley]

Fantastic success story! It seems like the Montana Dept. of Transportation was eventually open to be educated and has seen the amazing success of these wildlife bridges and tunnels. I would love to see a follow up story about whether the Montana DOT has now incorporated this thinking in the more recent road projects. Maybe Montana DOT can lead the way for other states! This is a success story that should also be shared by Reasons to be Cheerful!

[@Red-Robin4]

I WISH EVERY HIGHWAY LOOKED LIKE THIS!! JUST IMAGINE HOW MANY ANIMALS THAT WOULD BE SAVED BY PUTTING THESE IN!! ITS REALLY SAD THAT THERE IS NOBODY FIGHTING FOR THIS FOR ALL OUR HIGHWAYS!!😢

[@Ecovaluations]

This is what happens when animals' lives are valued and put ahead of human-centric need. Thank you First Nations! ❤

[@joebledsoe257]

It also helps human lives as animal impacts are reduced thus reducing injuries. I do agree with taking care of the animals.

[@PeterRalston-te6yp]

Wonderful storytelling/reportage! An important story respectfully and compellingly shared....very moving. Beautifully done.

[@MongabayTV]

Thanks so much!

[@twinsgardening896]

I can only hope this will become the norm in the future, rather than the exception!

[@jimsipes]

I am glad this story is being shared. It is a good example of how we can create a better world while still allowing for change. Special kudos to Joe Hovenkotter of CSKT for making this possible.

[@aq9714]

Thank you to the First Nations people of North America for showing what can be done in the face of Colonization and adversity. Despite everything thrown at them, they have survived and lead the way in Conservation and how to act as a true Democracy.

[@jackiemansfield8325]

Thanks a million for building that crossing for the wild life. This is what a first world country does

[@JohnBMartinez]

Very well done. I have been there many times. It's great to see the thoughtfulness and foresight that went into the whole project. A+ for all you efforts and production!

[@MongabayTV]

Thanks for the kind words, and thank you for watching!

[@stevet6676]

Wonderful! How much better society is when people cooperate and work together for better solutions for everyone and everything.

[@stevendawson7714]

A beautiful story, so well-told. And an important story, one that I believe will inspire others.

[@Donkey2_]

Thank you for building a bridge for wildlife crossings. This will save many lives of both animals and human too because sometimes people do get injured and die from losing control of their vehicles. This is a win-win situation.

[@kimberlyyetta2332]

Please build More Bridges for Animals to Cross. ❤ our wildlife is suffering in Utah.

[@hotzthoughts]

What an excellent story, with thought-provoking interviews, stunning footage, the centering of Indigenous wisdom, eye to evidence. We need more solutions stories like this!

[@MongabayTV]

Thanks for watching, and for the kind words.

[@cerhn]

Amazing progress and consideration They should totally do this in West Texas

[@mindyschirn9871]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this inspiring piece and for your commitment to wildlife crossings. I’ve already sent it along to friends at the DOT and to students enrolled in my engineering program to protect wildlife.

[@MongabayTV]

Thanks so much for watching. We appreciate your feedback!

[@justincatanoso3367]

Great reporting; great and valuable video.

[@marcelhuijser7867]

Really nicely done! It shows what can be done if we take our values seriously. It is a choice, a smart choice.

[@SC-qg9jl]

Thank you.

[@coniow]

Great that this joined-up thinking prevailed, that the Nation was in a position to really influence this work. Sad it has taken so long for something like this to happen. Perhaps this may be a precedent that is followed in future!

[@punchious]

This is such a great story.

[@MongabayTV]

We're glad you like it. Thank you for watching!

[@BurntWeeny435]

Love Love Love this!

[@brendatenorio5721]

Great story.

[@CH-fy1wd]

These crossings are badly needed in the midwestern and southern states. You cant go more than 5 miles without seeing roadkill sadly.

[@сергей7-к7ш]

Еxcellent ecoduct.

[@marysykes3143]

🙏♥️🙏♥️

[@愛莎-l4w]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@愛莎-l4w]

❤❤

[@愛莎-l4w]

❤

[@愛莎-l4w]

🎉❤

[@douglaswayne3149]

What a lot of nonsense to try and credit indigenous values for wildlife crossings.. Indians didn't even have roads, much less wildlife crossings when European settlers first arrived in north America..

[@dennisandray2]

@douglaswayne3149 Among the many great things about living in the United States of America is the Constitutional guarantee to freedom of speech and expression. It also guarantees the right to disagree. I respect your opinion but I respectfully disagree with your statement. I would like to suggest that you view the video one more time to be able to grasp the fact that there was originally no real attempt by the state of Montana to create safe animal crossings. The First Nation contribution to this issue was paramount to the successful completion of these many animal crossings. The Salish and Kootenai reasoning was presented and accepted because it made sense. Beside the obvious benefits to wildlife, the human benefits were also very significant. One example is the reduction of road kill which meant that drivers have a much better chance to cross the 56 miles through the Flathead Reservation without hitting animals. Often, in hitting animals, damage is done to the vehicle. Sometimes a driver is unable to control the driving and crashes and is even injured. This collaboration of autonomous tribes and state and local agencies is a model of success. It is simply a win-win for everyone and every animal. The people living in this part of Montana and travelers and tourists, can admire the greatness of the location even more because of the harmony among humans who advocate for the animals, ‘who have no voice.’

[@shawneenhammer4241]

This brought tears to my eyes for sadness that everybody else doesn't do it and happiness for the animals and the showing of what people coming together to fight back against wrongs no matter who shoves it at you can do thank you for putting this on here so people know hopefully the information spreads I'm going to share it for that reason also ✌️♥️🌌🌠🫵

[@愛莎-l4w]

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[@愛莎-l4w]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@愛莎-l4w]

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