The Oracle Road wildlife crossings, both a bridge and underpass, were constructed in 2016 to increase wildlife connectivity between the Catalina and Tortolita Mountains. For the past seven years, a variety of plants have become established on the crossings, providing habitat and protective cover for wildlife that use the crossings to cross Oracle Road safely. However, invasive species such as buffelgrass also had the chance to establish there, limiting the amount of native habitat available.
In August 2023 the Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance (SCVNHA) approved funding for a new project that has helped us maintain and revegetate both of the Oracle Road wildlife crossings. In partnership with Strategic Habitat Enhancements, we launched our Habitat Restoration Days that successfully removed the bulk of invasive species from the wildlife crossings; enhanced wildlife habitat on these wildlife crossings by spreading seed mixes and planting over 100 native plants; and provided public education and outreach through a series of 12 volunteer workdays, educational videos, and permanent interpretive signage. You can read our work summary from this project here!
In 2024, we received another year-long grant from SCVNHA that is providing more funding to continue this project. Our focus is to build on the foundational work we have done over the last year by maintaining the habitat and watering the establishing plants on the bridge; continuing invasive plant species management; repairing and mitigating the effects of erosion; surveying the wildlife funnel fencing for damage; and holding educational workshops for our volunteers and local youth.
Please visit our YouTube channel to watch the progress of this project as we continue to restore the habitat of these important wildlife crossings.
You can be a part of this project too! Click here to view our upcoming events.
We want to give a huge thank you to Carianne at Strategic Habitat Enhancements for providing the plants, tools, seed mixes, and native plant expertise that make this project possible!
The Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area connects people to the historic and cultural foundations and the living landscapes of the Santa Cruz Valley and actively works towards its long-term stewardship.
Our project supports/aligns with the objectives of the SCVNHA and contains an educational component integral to the SCVNHA’s goal to nurture the stewards of tomorrow of this special and significant cultural, historical, and ecological landscape we call home.
Thank you for your support in funding this project!
We are so proud of how far the habitat has come on the Oracle Road wildlife crossings. Check out how the habitat compares to when it was first constructed in 2016! Today, the habitat blends into the landscape, looks much more natural, and is more attractive for wildlife as they used the bridge to cross Oracle Road safely.
