Now Rural Communities Are Connecting, Rather Than Just Preserving, Wildlife Habitats

One of the best things about rural living is sharing the landscape with wildlife. Peering out the window and seeing a moose in the yard. Walking in the woods and catching a fleeting glimpse of a bobcat. Prowling ponds after dark to view the spring salamander migration. Sometimes their presence is taken for granted, but keeping wildlife as visitors, especially for a developing area, can require knowledge and intentionality.

Historically, conservation groups have focused on protecting pristine places that have intact ecosystems. But a rising awareness in the last 20 years has prioritized the importance of connecting those different habitats...