Wildlife crossing: giving animals the right-of-way

When highways and habitats intersect. Part of the nonfiction Orca Footprints series for middle-grade readers, this book explores the science of road ecology and what happens when highways, wildlife and habitats intersect. Illustrated with photographs throughout. What happens when the needs of people and nature collide? More than 13 million miles of roads crisscross landscapes in 222 countries. Roads offer many human benefits, but they also create problems for nature. Their construction leads to a loss of biodiversity through habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. Roads isolate wildlife populations, impede migration and allow invasive plant and animal species to spread, while giving rise to pollution from garbage, light, noise and airborne contaminants. With innovative tools, like wildlife overpasses to reconnect landscapes, smart roads and vehicles to maximize safety, and a little hands on help, we can create environmental harmony. And sitting in the passenger seat, young people can play a part in helping highways and habitats coexist. Key Selling Points: - We use roads every day but don't often think about their effect on the environment. Wildlife Crossing examines what happens when roads and animals intersect, and shows ways that engineering, landscape design, signage and driver education can improve sustainability. - In the United States, up to two million large animals are hit by cars every year. In Canada, Ontario is the province with the most wildlife collisions, most often involving deer. - An introduction to the relatively new field of road ecology and another way to look at how humans are negatively affecting and changing the animal world. - This is a STEM book for kids who care about animals, habitats and the environment. There are practical things kids can do to make roads safer for animals. They'll get tips on how to be more observant when traveling, improve their chances of spotting wildlife and learn to recognize different habitats. - Joan Marie Galat is an award-winning author of more than 20 nonfiction books for kids (with an interest in STEM topics). She has a background in the biological sciences, with a focus on ecology. Joan Marie Galat is an award-winning author of more than 25 books for children and adults, with translations in eight languages. She is best known for her science books for children, especially her astronomy titles, and interest in everything outer space. Her books have won and been nominated for numerous awards, including the Moonbeam Children's Book, Crystal Kite, Skipping Stones, Rocky Mountain Book, Red Cedar Book and Hackmatack Awards and the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, among others. She is the 2018 recipient of the Martha Weston Grant, awarded annually to one member (worldwide) of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Joan lives near Edmonton. Kids ask hard questions about social and environmental issues in their communities and around the world. The Orca Footprints series answers those questions with well-researched, straightforward information and powerful images. With topics such as sustainable energy, fair trade and community building, these books will inspire kids to take action.