$5 Million Gifted To Historic Wildlife Crossing Under Construction

AGOURA HILLS, CA — The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing celebrated P-22 Day in the form of a $5 million donation by philanthropist Orange County couple Joann and Frank Randall to help bring the historic project to fruition.

The long-awaited crossing is under construction and expected to be finished in 2025 after breaking ground this year. The massive, multimillion dollar construction will ultimately be 210 feet long and 165 feet wide and will span all 10 lanes of the Ventura Freeway at Liberty Canyon in Agoura Hills.

The Randalls' donation will help ensure project organizers will be able to afford key components like design and engineering expertise, National Park Service wildlife research and an educational overlook on a trail near the crossing, named after the gifting couple, according to the National Wildlife Federation.

The overlook will feature interactive panels about wildlife in the area and the project.

“Joann and Frank truly care about wildlife and wild places, and have left a significant legacy not just for this wildlife crossing but for conservation,” said Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation and leader of the #SaveLACougars campaign. “They are truly conservation heroes. I am honored to also call them friends and can attest to their dedication and commitment to protecting the natural world.”

The couple has long been supportive of #SaveLACougars, according to the National Wildlife Federation. #SaveLACougars is a key collaborator in the project alongside the National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, California Department of Transportation and more.

Joann and Frank Randall are a couple from Newport Beach who have contributed other major wildlife efforts, like the preservation of 401 acres at Banning Ranch in Newport Beach, the states largest undeveloped area of coastal land, according to the National Wildlife Federation.

Once constructed, the wildlife crossing will preserve biodiversity among local cougar populations and protect wildlife from traffic dangers.

For more information, visit the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing's website.