William & Mary’s Institute for Integrated Conservation (IIC) has been collaborating with the Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources (DWR) since 2023, investigating wildlife-vehicle conflict (WVC). Projects are one year long and have primarily focused on Loudoun County, Virginia’s highest at-risk county for WVC.

Outcomes from three previous undergraduate researchers have revealed the top ten areas of highest risk of deer-vehicle collisions within Loudoun, enlisted citizen scientists to fill knowledge gaps in roadkill dynamics, investigated potential wildlife crossing sites, and examined policy to better understand pathways to mitigation.

This past year, two students addressed two separate WVC challenges. The first examined the soundscape of noise disturbance surrounding roads, as seen from a wildlife perspective. The second further explored pathways to achieve WVC mitigation through policy and grassroots efforts. In this presentation, we will hear from IIC partner Jordan Green, a District Biologist with the DWR, and this year’s students Taylor Uem and Percy Zimering.

The collaborative efforts between the IIC and DWR have resulted in increased attention to addressing public safety concerns regarding vehicle collisions with wildlife. Student identified WVC hotspots in Loudoun are being considered for state funded wildlife mitigation fence installation. Citizen science engagement has garnered interest from volunteer groups beyond Loudoun, helping to raise awareness.

Student-led policy examination and exploration of capacity building partnerships will help spread support for mitigation beyond Loudoun to the rest of the state and will help inform efforts elsewhere in the nation.