adaninja's Notes
2026
Crossings
How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet
By Ben Goldfarb**Reflection Prompts:
- Which story or anecdote from Crossings stands out as asurprising, poignant, or resonant for you? Why? ** I really enjoyed reading this book. I wrote a ton of notes and it's hard to choose a favorite story or a single thing that stands out from the rest. I remember wondering at the start if this book would be depressing, about the many negative impacts of roads on wildlife. And it was, but it was more so focused on facts, objective truths, and the scientists, biologists, engineers, and good samaritans (lots of good samaritans!) who are zoned into helping in the small ways they can. It feels so good to read about the hard work of so many incredibly knowledgeable, skilled, and generous people. And though we still have roads, we still acknowledge their tremendous negative impact on wildlife and wild places, we also see the rebound that comes when nature is given a chance to do what it does best.
2. How do you experience or observe the ecological impacts of roads in your daily life? I come from a place where roads were essential. This book starts in the state of Nebraska, and as that is my homestate, I can testify that living in a rural area teaches you a dependence on cars and roads for leading a typical lifestyle. We drove everywhere, and people living there still do. For a short while, I lived in Japan. The road culture is much different in Japan. People don't often drive from one city to another, they take the train. It's very uncommon to drive on a highway in Japan, and if you do, you have to pay expensive tolls. Anyway, I just remember a different road culture there. When I moved to SEattle I was again surprised because while we have a ton of roads and hills, there's still a culture that promotes public transport and biking where possible. It's becoming more transit and bike friendly all the time. I see so many EVs now, which makes quieter than they once were. I also acknowledge how little wildlife I get to see in my close neighborhood. And it broke my heart to learn how roads in National Forests also disturb wildlife there. It's so sad to think that going out to enjoy nature also harms nature if I'm in a car, on a road.
3. Wehere/how can we as birders and conservationsists apply the lessons from this book? Are there any opportunities in our own neighborhoods? I was so inspired by this book, I've done some research. It's preliminary and I want to do more, but here's my start so far:
- Overpass/underpass support https://conservationnw.org/take-action/volunteer/
- Visit Banff Wildlife Overpass
- Consider donating https://wildlifecrossingfund.org/
- Another follow up book https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/news/3487-zoopolis?srsltid=AfmBOopMTsVdP5m1YFTxQcHl14qxshSejoQqRMC3ZqXw0hvxq1CvxOqw
- I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN AN ANPHIBIAN OR HERB BUCKET BRIGADE! A surface-level search isn't coming up with anything. I'D BE CURIOUS TO KNOW IF ANYONE IN THE BOOK CLUB MEETING KNOWS OF ANY ORGS THAT DO THIS! :)
- Consider joining this mailing list about decommissioning little used/maintained forest roads https://conservationnw.org/our-work/wildlands/sustainable-forest-roads/
- Poke around this site to get involved https://www.monarchwatch.org/
4. I didn't have much to say for this one. Yes! and Yes! And also, I wish I were at the meeting to hear from others.
5. What questions or concerns arose for you while reading that weren't answered in the text? What causes are Birds Connect and other orgs I'm part of working on currently? I would like to become more involved in my region's conservation efforts, and sometimes it's hard to get started. This book was chockablock full of both examples and inspiration, which I want to transform into action in my own community and those communities who have been historically disenfranchized. Wish I were there for the discussion, but glad to have gone through this book with like-minded folks and will look forward to any notes that are shared about the discussion, or other ways to get involved with Birds Connect!
Loved the book so much! Thank you for the suggested reading and opportunity to connect on Addabook!