The Eco-Logical approach organizes current methods for addressing natural resource identification, avoidance, minimization and mitigation into a systematic, step-wise process that starts at the beginning of the transportation planning process and concludes with establishing programmatic approaches to recurring natural resource issues that are implemented at the project level.
What are the advantages of an ecosystem approach?
Show me an example of how this would work.
Print out a Pocket Guide to Eco-Logical to share with your partners.
NEW: Read a case study exploring how the Orange County Transportation Authority engaged state and federal permitting agencies in an innovative approach akin to Eco-Logical to develop mechanisms allowing for advance compensatory mitigation for projects included in the M2 Highway/Freeway Program.
NEW: The Signatory Agencies page showcases the latest resources and updates from the Winter 2022 Eco-Logical interagency meeting.
NEW: The Meetings and Conferences page highlights a panel presentation on how programmatic mitigation planning was applied to transportation projects in Orange County, California given at the 2021 International Conference on Ecology & Transportation.
NEW: The Mojave Desert Tortoise Transportation Ecology Workshop report summarizes key activities, takeaways, and recommendations related to Mojave Desert Tortoise conservation and recovery from the March 2021 workshop.
NEW: The Eco-Logical Video shows how using Eco-Logical can lead to accelerated project delivery, better environmental outcomes, and more!
In the graphic above, click each step for useful implementation information including a description of the step, technical information, and examples of agency projects.
PlanWorks is a web resource that supports collaborative decision-making during the transportation planning and project development process. It highlights key decision points and common challenges encountered in long-range planning, programming, corridor planning, and environmental review with plans and projects of all scales. The Natural Environment and Implementing Eco-Logical application can help Eco-Logical practitioners implement steps of the Integrated Ecosystem Framework (IEF) and connect the IEF to other steps of the transportation planning and project development process.
