Cascade Crossroads Screening: Bellingham

Cascade Crossroads Screening: Bellingham

Conservation Northwest / Oct 16, 2018 / Events, I-90 Wildlife, Wildlife Crossings

Come experience the story behind wildlife crossings over and under I-90 in the film Cascade Crossroads.

Join us on Saturday, October 20 at the Whatcom Museum for a film screening of Cascade Crossroads from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., followed by a panel on the topic of wildlife crossings and their importance in connecting habitat and protecting wildlife.

This event will be included with museum admission, and our staff will be there to give updates on our latest I-90 wildlife crossings work, as well as discuss important habitat connections in Bellingham.

The screening is included with museum admission. Tickets can be found here!

The almost-complete wildlife overcrossing on I-90, near Snoqualmie Pass. Construction will be finished this fall. Photo: Chase Gunnell

Watching I-90 wildlife crossings unfold

Released earlier this year, Cascade Crossroads tells the story behind the successful, collaborative efforts to connect vital wildlife habitat in the Snoqualmie Corridor. The I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coalition (of which Conservation Northwest is the administering organization and fiscal sponsor) commissioned this documentary film to celebrate the unique accomplishments of this project. The film was produced by Ted Grudowski, who is a local filmmaker and long-time supporter of our organization.

Not only does this project create safe passages for wildlife to cross I-90, but it also has major infrastructure improvements for motorists. It’s also the largest wildlife crossing project in North America. This effort is a win-win for people and wildlife, and is therefore one we are very excited to share.

The Washington State Department of Transportation recently announced that since the completion of the Gold Creek and Hyak undercrossings in 2014, more than 1,300 mule deer, 95 elk and 130 coyotes have successfully used this corridor.

Jen Watkins, our I-90 Wildlife Bridges Coordinator, as well as Chris Elder, a Whatcom County Planner, will hold a panel after the film to discuss the project, as well as important wildlife corridors in Bellingham.

An elk herd traveling under I-90 through the Gold Creek Wildlife Undercrossing. Photo: WSDOT

By attending this event and learning about our wildlife bridges project, you’ll also be supporting the Whatcom Museum! Located in Downtown Bellingham, The Whatcom Museum is a nonprofit organization with an impressive array of indigenous culture, local art, Northwest history and more. Exhibitions at the museum are often focused on nature and wilderness, and currently include Endangered Species: Artists on the front line of biodiversity.

As the town where Conservation Northwest was founded, we are excited to be back in Bellingham for the weekend. We hope you’ll join us for this success story of collaboration and conservation!

Learn more about the I-90 Wildlife Corridor Campaign and its efforts to connect habitat in the Cascades.