The Aerial Perspective Reveals Wildlife Overpass Possibilities
Flying over a secton of Highway 401 where Algonquin to Adirondacks hopes to construct wildlife overpasses to protect animals as they move across the landscape. Video by Jess Lax.
Flying north of the border, Ontario-based pilot Adam Goldstein recently completed his very first LightHawk flight. Flying over sections of the 401 Highway in Canada, members of the Algonquin to Adirondacks (A2A) Collaborative were treated to an aerial perspective of areas that hold potential for wildlife overpasses.
With the highway now expanding, it’s an ideal time to consider wildlife overpasses. At present, the only ones in Canada are in Banff National Park, and the A2A Collaborative hopes to bring similar infrastructure to Highway 401.
Ahead of the flight, the partners identified two points they wanted to fly between. Adam worked with them to clarify their goals and refine the flight route, asking whether they preferred to fly low and identify details on the ground or higher to gain a better overall perspective of the region.
Aerial view of Highway 401, where the Algonquin to Adirondacks Collaborative is assessing potential sites for wildlife overpasses to help animals move safely across the roadway. Photo by Jess Lax
They flew at 1,000 to 1,500 feet AGL for most of the flight, low enough to capture details while still providing a broad view of the surrounding topography.
Adam flies a Kodiak, and all passengers were able to sit along one side of the plane, making it easier to provide good views of the areas they were interested in. He could put the point on the passenger side of the plane and then circle it, giving everyone the same view rather than having to repeatedly circle in different directions.
The weather was favorable, though a little windy, making the flight somewhat choppy. Adam shared that the stars really aligned despite the wind. A smokey haze from regional wildfires lingered, but visibility from 10,000 feet was still close to 80 miles.
As Highway 401 expands, so does the need and opportunity for wildlife overpasses that allow animals to move safely across the roadway. Photo by Catherine Wheeler
Passengers were surprised by the amount of wooded area during their flight, sparking excitement over the conservation possibilities. Photo by Jess Lax.
Adam was surprised by his passengers’ reactions during the flight. Although they had worked in the area for most of their careers, they had never experienced it from the air. They were amazed by how much forested land remained, offering opportunities for landscape connectivity that are critical for wildlife movement. Adam shared that they had expected to see more agricultural land and were pleasantly surprised by the amount of wooded land visible from above.
He also said he learned a lot from the flight. Working in development, he was familiar with the expansion of Highway 401 but was not with wildlife overpasses. He was surprised to learn that species like wolves and mountain lions would likely use them – noting that several wolves had been hit by vehicles in the area over the last year. “I would have thought there was no way animal like a wolf would go over a bridge,” he admitted.
Adam was able to accomodate all the passengers on one side of his plane, ensuring they all received the same view when banking around areas of interest. Photo by Catherine Wheeler.
After the flight, Jess Lax with A2A said, “The experience was incredibly valuable and provided us with a perspective we couldn’t have gotten any other way.” That’s what LightHawk is all about – providing an aerial perspective that advances conservation in meaningful ways.
We’re grateful to have Adam joining the ranks of the LightHawk volunteer pilot corps and congratulate him on logging his first mission! He came to LightHawk looking for a new way to use aviation that would make a difference. We’d say he’s found it!
Photos by Catherine Wheeler and Jess Lax.