Wild Aware

Wild Aware, founded in 2019, aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on Highway 74 and Highway 73 in Evergreen, CO. Working with CDOT and CPW, permanent variable message signs were installed in 2024 along Highway 74 in the two areas with the highest wildlife-vehicle collisions.  

Our 100% volunteer-based teams handle community outreach, education, marketing, and wildlife-based events. We've created yard signs to remind people to watch for wildlife, especially during the critical periods of June during calving season and November which sees one of the highest periods of wildlife-vehicle collisions. We've installed game cameras in critical areas along Highway 74 to examine the migratory habits of elk to understand the impact of fast-moving vehicles and these wildlife crossings. The Wild Aware Bear Book Club educates about bears and their protection. Our Barbed Wire removal program is hugely successful and necessary. On average, one ungulate is found dead or tangled every 2.5 miles of fencing, 90% being fawns. Volunteers have removed thousands of miles of disused barbed wire fencing in local parks. Our courtesy aid for private property owners to replace or remove barbed wire is now fully operational.