Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration

Wildlife Program

Mission Statement

The Maryland State Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) Wildlife Program will improve the safety of Maryland’s roadway system and protect Maryland’s natural environment by reducing the impacts of wildlife-vehicle collisions.

Stewardship and Innovation

In Maryland today, there are more than 69,000 lane miles of roadway. The development of surface transportation has enabled economic growth for Maryland’s residents; however, there can be unintended consequences associated with this. Mitigating impacts on our environment and natural resources, including wildlife, through stewardship and innovative practices is one of SHA’s core values, and the Office of Environmental Design strives to continuously improve SHA’s environmental footprint.

  • Sign denoting that Maryland wildlife crossing may occur along certain highways.

    Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program Grant

    In 2025, SHA was awarded a $388,000 grant through the Federal Highway Administration Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program to study wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) throughout the State of Maryland.

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  • Deer along Maryland highway.

    Maryland Connectivity Coalition

    On July 1, 2025, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 731 (Wildlife – Protections and Highway Crossings).

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  • closeup photo of terrapin

    Northern Diamondback Terrapin Fencing

    Maryland State Highway Administration is working at two sites on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, at Deal Island and Dover Bridge, to study the effectiveness of different types of wildlife fencing at preventing terrapin road mortality. Photo credit: Kevin Stohlgren, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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