16 wildlife hotspots in the U.S. that need protecting

Private land development and highways have had significant impacts on the locations, say environmental advocates.

By

OurAmazingPlanet Staff

Fri, Jul 13 2012 at 9:57 AM

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A trailside gazebo overlooks Mohonk Lake and the surrounding Shawangunk Mountains with the Catskills Mountains in the distance

FADING BEAUTY: A trailside gazebo overlooks Mohonk Lake and the surrounding Shawangunk Mountains with the Catskills Mountains in the distance. The area has been identified as a conservation hotspot. (Photo:

After a journey that took him from Florida to northern Quebec, an explorer and conservationist has identified 16 habitats that he says must be protected if eastern North America's wildlife is to survive and thrive.

John Davis, co-founder of conservation organization Wildlands Network, traveled from the Florida Keys to Canada's Gaspé Peninsula, a 7,600-mile (12,230 kilometers) trek that he undertook without the aid of any modern conveyances. Davis bicycled, paddled and walked the entire way.

Based on his observations during the nearly yearlong journey, Davis has come up with what he calls the Essential Sixteen: regions home to key species that are facing steep threats.

"We need to address the impacts of highway and private land development that are blocking wide-ranging animals from following their traditional movement pathways, reducing their ability to find mates and food or respond to climate change," Davis said in a statement.

In addition, Davis and his organization are calling for a corridor to connect the eastern United States' remaining wild places.

The areas on Davis' list of 16 essential spots are:

Caloosahatchee Crossing, Florida — one of the last strongholds of the panther in the eastern United States
Conecuh to Eglin Longleaf Complex, Florida and Alabama — an expanse of longleaf pines ranging from Conecuh National Forest to Eglin Air Force Base
Ocmulgee and Altamaha rivers, Georgia
ACE Basin to Francis Marion National Forest, South Carolina
Green Swamp and Cape Fear Arch, North and South Carolina
Linville Gorge (at right) to Roan Mountain, North Carolina and Tennessee
Pine Mountain, southeast Kentucky
Arc of Appalachia, southern Ohio
West Virginia Highlands
Pine Creek watershed, Ridge and Valley Province, Pennsylvania
Shawangunk to Catskills Greenway, southern New York
Southern Lake Champlain Valley and Vermont Valley, New York and Vermont
Northern Green Mountains/Suttons link, northern Vermont and southern Quebec
Northeast Kingdom to Moosehead: northeastern Vermont, northern New Hampshire and western and northern Maine
Three Borders area of Maine, Quebec and New Brunswick
Gaspesie Park to Forillon Park, Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec