On Tuesday, the first native plants went into the ground at the Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 in Agoura Hills.
Deer wheat, California aster, and Santa Barbara milk vetch were among those being planted, helping to create a nearly one-acre wildlife habitat.
National Wildlife Federation's Beth Pratt told KNX News’ Karen Adams the plants are vital to the project.
“We need to recreate the ecosystem over the freeway, and that's what's being done here in the native habitat,” she said. “What we also need to do, though, to get the big animals across, we need to fake them out. They can't think they're on the freeway, and that means making this look like the surrounding habitat, putting up the sound walls, putting up the stain that doesn't reflect light. So, there's a lot of attention to detail that has to happen here.”
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Pratt also said the animals can use the plants for food and shelter.
The Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is expected to open in November 2026.
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