Colorado’s Big, Bold, and Slightly Baked Idea

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A Wildlife Overpass for the Ages

A Mile‑High Solution to a Down‑to‑Earth Problem

Yo, wildlife lovers—gather ‘round. Did you know that Colorado, the state where the air is thin, the mountains are tall, and the recreational marijuana is… well, very recreational, is building one of the world’s largest wildlife overpasses? Yes indeed. Leave it to Colorado to say, “Hey, what if we just let the elk do their thing—safely—and vibe their way across the interstate?”

Mama and Cubs

Grizzly 399 and cubs -Wyoming Photo Credit Deb Neumann

I first heard about wildlife crossings in Canada, where they’ve been quietly helping critters avoid becoming roadkill for years. Sometimes it’s a tunnel under a highway; sometimes it’s a lush, green overpass that looks like a national park decided to take a nap on top of a bridge. Either way, the goal is simple: stop the heartbreaking (and frankly messy) carnage we see on roads every year. From squashed squirrels to majestic elk and even bears—vehicle collisions take a toll. Grizzly 399 in Wyoming, a beloved icon, was tragically killed by a vehicle accident. These crossings matter.

The Biggest, Boldest Overpass Yet

Colorado’s new wildlife overpass is being built across I‑25 near the Greenland interchange between Larkspur and Monument. And this isn’t just any overpass—this will be the world’s largest wildlife structure over a major roadway. Leave it to Colorado to go big or go home. Maybe it’s the altitude. Maybe it’s the edibles. Who’s to say.

This massive structure will span six full lanes of interstate traffic. Imagine elk strolling over rush hour like they’re on a scenic hiking trail while commuters below sip coffee and wonder why they didn’t choose a simpler life in the woods.

Why Overpasses Work (Especially for the Big Guys)

Before this system began construction, this stretch of I‑25 saw an average of one wildlife‑vehicle crash per day. One. Every. Day. The new crossing system—overpass plus underpasses—is expected to reduce those crashes by up to 90%.

Smaller animals tend to use the tunnels, but elk and other large game? They’re not fans of enclosed spaces. Tunnels don’t accommodate their antlers, their line of sight, or their general “I need room to strut” energy. Overpasses, with open views and natural vegetation, are their preferred runway.

A Win for Wildlife and Drivers Alike

This project is a reminder that conservation doesn’t always require grand speeches or sweeping legislation. Sometimes it’s as simple—and brilliant—as giving animals a safe path home. Colorado’s leading the way, and honestly, I hope more states follow suit.

After all, if we can build bridges for people, why not build them for the creatures who were here long before the interstates arrived?

 

When Protections Shift

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The ESA in a Changing Political Landscape

The Endangered Species Act has shaped wildlife conservation for more than fifty years, and today it faces one of its most challenging chapters. Policies continue to shift, and new proposals keep emerging, which pushes the ESA into a period of rapid change. As a result, many scientists, advocates, and nature‑loving communities are watching closely. They want to understand how these decisions will influence the species and landscapes we rely on. Because of this growing uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to look at what’s changing—and why it matters.

A Law Still Standing — But Applied Differently

The ESA still exists as federal law, and lawmakers have not repealed it. However, the current administration continues to introduce regulatory changes that alter how the law works in practice. These revisions reshape how agencies evaluate species, designate habitat, and weigh economic impacts.

For example, the administration now:

  • Considers economic factors when reviewing species for protection
  • Limits the definition of “critical habitat”
  • Makes delisting easier
  • Removes automatic protections for newly listed threatened species

Because these changes shift the law’s practical impact, conservation groups argue that the ESA no longer functions with the same strength it once had. Meanwhile, industries that rely on land use and development often support these revisions because they reduce regulatory barriers.

Why These Changes Matter for Wildlife

Wildlife depends on timely, science‑based decisions, and even small delays can create long‑term consequences. When agencies slow the listing process or narrow habitat protections, vulnerable species lose the support they need to recover.

For instance:

  • North Atlantic right whales face increasing threats from ship strikes and entanglement
  • Monarch butterflies continue to decline as milkweed disappears
  • Wolverines struggle as warming temperatures reduce snowpack
  • Sea turtles rely on protected nesting beaches that development can easily disrupt

Furthermore, weakened protections can ripple through entire ecosystems. When one species declines, others often follow, which ultimately affects the health of forests, coastlines, and waterways.

The Human Side of Conservation

These policy changes also influence the communities that share space with wildlife. Because the ESA guides how we manage land, water, and development, any shift in its application affects people as well.

Across New England and beyond, these changes may:

  • Alter land‑use planning
  • Influence environmental review processes
  • Affect tourism and outdoor recreation
  • Create uncertainty for conservation groups and local governments

Consequently, the ESA plays a larger role in daily life than many people realize. It shapes the balance between human activity and the natural world, and that balance directly affects our quality of life.

A Crossroads for Conservation

Right now, the ESA stands at a crossroads. The decisions made today will influence wildlife protection for decades. Because these proposals continue to evolve, the story is far from over. Conservationists, lawmakers, and communities across the country are watching closely, and many of them are preparing for long debates about the future of the law.

Staying Engaged as the Story Unfolds

We’re tracking these developments as they happen, and each new proposal adds another layer to the conversation. I’ll continue following the changes and explaining what they mean for wildlife, habitats, and the communities that depend on them. Stay with me as this story moves forward—every decision made now will shape the natural world we pass on to the next generation.

Sunflower and butterfly 2018

The Day Nixon Protected the Wild

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How December 28 Changed Our Natural World

Every so often, history hands us a moment that reshapes the way we care for the planet. December 28, 1973, was one of those days. On that winter afternoon, President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) into law—an act that would become one of the strongest environmental protections in the world. And yes, it came from a president whose legacy is… complicated.

A Notorious Presidency: Why Nixon’s Name Still Echoes

Richard Nixon remains one of the most talked‑about presidents in American history. His administration was marked by the Watergate scandal, a political crisis that led to investigations, resignations, and ultimately his own resignation from office. The phrase “I am not a crook,” which he famously said in response to allegations, became a cultural shorthand for political scandal and mistrust.

Yet even amid controversy, Nixon’s presidency produced a surprising wave of environmental action. Under his administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created, and several landmark environmental laws—including the ESA—were signed. History is rarely tidy, and Nixon’s environmental legacy is a reminder of that.

What Exactly Is the Endangered Species Act?

The Endangered Species Act was designed to protect plants and animals at risk of extinction. It does three major things:

  • Identifies species that are endangered or threatened
  • Protects their habitats, preventing destruction or harmful development
  • Creates recovery plans to help species rebound

It’s not just a list—it’s a commitment. The ESA requires federal agencies to consider the impact of their actions on vulnerable species, making it one of the most powerful conservation tools ever created.

How the ESA Shapes Our World Today

The effects of the ESA ripple far beyond the forests and oceans. It influences how we build, farm, fish, and even how we plan communities. More importantly, it has helped pull dozens of species back from the brink, including:

  • The bald eagle
  • The American alligator
  • The peregrine falcon
  • The humpback whale *

Breaching Whale

These aren’t just animals—they’re symbols of resilience.

For us, the ESA protects biodiversity, which in turn supports healthy ecosystems. Those ecosystems give us clean water, stable soil, pollinators for our crops, and the natural beauty that inspires so much of our storytelling here on Around Dusty Roads.

Why This Moment Still Matters

In a world where climate change and habitat loss continue to threaten wildlife, the ESA stands as a reminder that policy can be a force for good. Nixon’s signature on that December day helped safeguard the natural heritage we pass on to future generations.

It’s a story of contradiction, hope, and the unexpected ways history shapes our world. And it’s a reminder that even in turbulent times, meaningful progress can take root.

Closing Thoughts

Today, the Endangered Species Act still stands as one of the most powerful conservation tools we have—but it’s not without new challenges. The current administration has proposed regulatory changes that many scientists and environmental groups warn could weaken key protections the ESA has relied on for decades. As these debates unfold, the future of wildlife conservation hangs in the balance. In our next post, we’ll take a closer look at the specific efforts underway to revise or roll back parts of the ESA, and what those changes could mean for the species that depend on it.

PS*: We need More Success Stories Like this

The Twelve Days of Christmas

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The Season That Begins After Christmas Day

Every year, the familiar tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” starts floating through the air sometime in early December. We hum along, we laugh at the escalating chaos of gifts, and we assume — quite naturally — that the song is counting down to Christmas. But here’s the twist: the Twelve Days of Christmas don’t lead up to Christmas at all. They begin on Christmas Day itself.

It’s one of those delightful bits of holiday tradition that has quietly slipped out of modern awareness, especially here in the U.S., where the tree often comes down before the New Year. But historically? Christmas was just getting started.

Where the Twelve Days Come From

The Twelve Days of Christmas — also known as Christmastide — stretch from December 25 through January 5, ending on the evening known as Twelfth Night. The next morning, January 6, is Epiphany, the day the Magi are said to have reached Bethlehem.

Some traditions count the days slightly differently, beginning on December 26 and ending on January 6, but the heart of the idea is the same:
Christmas is a season, not a single day.

This period was once filled with feast days, celebrations, and a welcome break from work. Medieval Europeans spent these days visiting, feasting, and enjoying a rare stretch of winter merriment after the long fast of Advent.

So What About the Song?

The carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is directly tied to this festive stretch of time. It wasn’t written as a countdown to December 25 — it was a memory game sung during the Twelve Days themselves. Each verse added a new gift, and if you forgot one, you owed a playful “forfeit,” like a kiss or a treat.

The gifts themselves don’t correspond to specific feast days, but the structure of the song mirrors the joyful, cumulative nature of the season.

Why the Tradition Still Matters

Even though modern life tends to pack up Christmas quickly, the older rhythm has a certain charm — especially here in New England, where winter invites us to slow down whether we planned to or not.

Honoring the Twelve Days can mean:

  • Keeping the tree up until January 6
  • Enjoying a quieter, more reflective stretch after the holiday rush
  • Letting the season unfold gently instead of ending abruptly
  • Savoring the coziness of home during the darkest days of winter

It’s a reminder that not everything needs to be rushed. Some seasons are meant to linger.

A Season Worth Savoring

So the next time you hear “On the first day of Christmas…”, you’ll know. The song isn’t counting down to Christmas — it’s celebrating the days that follow it. The days when the world slows down, the lights glow a little softer, and winter invites us to rest.

Here’s to Christmastide! It’s that quiet, magical stretch that carries us from Christmas Day to Epiphany, one cozy winter moment at a time.

 

Boxing Day

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The Cozy Exhale After the Holiday Rush

While Christmas often steals the spotlight with its twinkling lights and joyful chaos, Boxing Day quietly slips in on December 26th like a deep, contented sigh. It’s the day when the wrapping paper has settled, the cookies have dwindled, and the house finally feels still again. For many, it’s a chance to reset, recharge, and savor the simple comforts that get lost in the holiday whirlwind.

 

Where Boxing Day Comes From

Boxing Day began in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, traditionally as a day when employers gave “Christmas boxes” to workers and tradespeople — small gifts or tokens of appreciation. Over time, it evolved into a day of rest, generosity, and gathering with loved ones. Today, it’s celebrated in many different ways: shopping, visiting family, enjoying leftovers, or simply staying in pajamas until noon.

Here in New England, we may not have grown up with Boxing Day as an official holiday, but the spirit of it fits us perfectly. After all, who appreciates a quiet winter morning more than those of us who’ve weathered a few Nor’easters?

A Day for Slow Living

If Christmas is about celebration, Boxing Day is about restoration. Think:

  • A second cup of coffee enjoyed without rushing
  • A long winter walk through crisp air and quiet streets
  • A cozy blanket, a good book, and zero guilt
  • Leftovers transformed into something delicious
  • A moment to reflect on the year and the people who made it meaningful

It’s a day that invites us to breathe — to let the magic of the season settle in rather than speed past.

Making Boxing Day Your Own

Whether you spend it decluttering, journaling, visiting friends, or indulging in a well-earned nap, Boxing Day is a gentle reminder that rest is part of the celebration too. It’s the perfect bridge between the festive sparkle of Christmas and the fresh start of the New Year.

So here’s to December 26th — the quiet hero of the holiday season. A day for comfort, gratitude, and a little extra coziness along the dusty roads we call home.