“An Urban Wildlife Bridge is Coming to California,” The New Yorker, May 2022

It was Earth Day; it had rained the night before, and the sky was a brilliant blue over Liberty Canyon, the site of the crossing, whose hills were blanketed in yellow mustard flowers.

“A cougar passage rises over a deadly Southern California freeway, Los Angeles Times, April 2022”

“We did it!” shouted Beth Pratt, regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation. “For years to come, this wildlife crossing will be admired and studied as proof that humans and wild animals can co-exist,” she said as she raised her voice over the din of traffic streaking past.

California wildlife get their own highway crossing, NPR Weekend Edition, April 2022

“You know, a lot of Angelenos can identify with the 405 impacting your dating life because you don't want to have to deal with the traffic. And that's what P22 symbolizes.”

“Mission accomplished: Beth Pratt raised millions for a freeway overpass for L.A. cougars,” LA Times, December 2021

Groundbreaking is just around the corner. The thought of it brings a proud smile to her face. “When I took on this assignment I thought, well, how hard can it be?” Pratt said, shaking her head. “I didn’t dream it would grow into a nearly $100-million project that would consume almost 10 years of my life.”

Yosemite Conservancy Partners on Once-in-a-Century Wildlife Book with Beth Pratt and Robb Hirsch, December 2021

“This is the book of a lifetime for me,” said Pratt. “I have been wandering in Yosemite for over 30 years, observing and studying the park’s wild world. This landmark work will both celebrate the park’s wildlife and help further scientific understanding.”

“The epic journey of gray wolf OR-93 comes to a tragic end near I-5,” LA Times, November 2021

“I had to take a long walk after I heard the painful news that OR-93’s wanderings were over,” she said. “At one point, he passed within 15 miles of my home near Yosemite National Park — and after that I posted a sign in my driveway: ‘Wolves are back!’

Interview on Fox Good Day LA, November 2021

It has been a dream for local conservationists for years, and now it's happening. We spoke with Beth Pratt, one of the people behind the effort to build a dedicated wildlife crossing over the 101 freeway in Agoura Hills.

“Non-profit streaming service for wildlife and environmental titles, Ecoflix, launches,” Realscreen, November 2021

The board of directors behind Ecoflix includes writer, producer and animal rights advocate Will Travers, Californian regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation Beth Pratt, Wolf Connection Sanctuary founder Teo Alfero and director of conservation for National Park Rescue Dr. Niall McCann.

“You come across a bear. Your next move is very important. Do you know what to do?, “ CNN, October 2021

“You can hear the enthusiasm in Pratt's voice as she shares her bear bona fides and advice to make sure bear/human encounters are delightful, not dangerous.

"A wild bear is a beautiful sight to see. It's incredible to see them in the wild. I never had a bad experience with bears. What I try to get people to feel is respect, not fear, for bears. The animal usually wants to avoid the encounters."

“Caltrans projected to break ground on wildlife bridge over 101 Freeway in January 2022,” LA Times, October 2021

“This is an unprecedented project that Los Angeles should be incredibly proud of,” said Beth Pratt, regional executive director in California for the National Wildlife Federation who has been working on the project for almost a decade. “Back then it was just an idea.”

“Caltrans eyes early 2022 groundbreaking for $87 million wildlife bridge,” Ventura County Star, October 2021

She first heard about challenges the mountain lion population faces from a National Park Service scientist years ago. “I just remember thinking, ‘Not on my watch. I’m not going to let this happen,’” Pratt said.

“A Covid-Era Lesson on Making Roads Safer For Wildlife,” Bloomberg, June 2021

“For those of us who’ve been pushing these ideas for a long time, it’s exciting to see them enjoy this widespread acceptance,” said Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, which is leading the project alongside state and regional agencies. “Who doesn’t want to stop poor animals from getting stomped by cars?”

“National Wildlife Federation Receives Record $25 Million Annenberg Challenge Grant for Largest Urban Wildlife Crossing in the World,” PR Newswire, May 2021

"This incredible conservation challenge grant from Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation — the largest ever received by the National Wildlife Federation — puts us closer to breaking ground this year. Wallis Annenberg's grant will protect this global biodiversity hotspot - recognized as one of only 36 biodiversity hotspots worldwide - and ensure that California's iconic mountain lions and other wildlife can find the food and mates they need to survive by reconnecting the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills and beyond," said Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. "Thank you also to the visionary leadership of the intrepid Beth Pratt as well as every donor who is making this transformative project a reality."

“Campaign To Build Wildlife Crossing Over 101 Freeway Raises $18 Million; Groundbreaking Within Sight,” CBS Los Angeles, January 2021

“The incredible support of people from around the world has allowed us to advance this project from a visionary idea to an impending reality. This past fall, we released new design visualizations, Caltrans will have the blueprints for the crossing completed this summer, and if fundraising remains strong, we will break ground in November,” said Beth Pratt, California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation and leader of the campaign.

“This massive wildlife crossing will help protect wildlife from L.A. drivers on the 101,” Fast Company, October 2020

“We’re saving mountain lions, and we’re reconnecting an ecosystem for all wildlife,” she says. “But we’re also going to have some great model for what others can do in urban areas to get animals across the road.”

“No, That Mountain Lion Wasn't "Stalking" a Runner,” Backpacker Magazine, October 2020

“You have people panicking and saying the cat needs to be shot, or that you should run with a gun. It just incites fear where it doesn't need to be," Pratt says. "I think it actually makes people less safe, because [they believe] they can behave in the wrong way around wildlife. And it certainly makes the wildlife less safe."“

“The bold plan that could save South Africa's leopards,” BBC, August 2020

“We have almost 20 years of data on how the cats move in this landscape,” says Beth Pratt, California’s regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation. Talking to me via Zoom from her home outside Yosemite, Pratt sports an ‘I heart P-22’ t-shirt – P-22 is the famous Hollywood cougar, the mascot of this project.

“Lockdowns Could Be the ‘Biggest Conservation Action’ in a Century,” The Atlantic, July 2020

“When you’re talking about such small populations, you get even one cat taken out by roadkill, and that can spell doom,” Beth Pratt, the California director of the National Wildlife Federation, told me. The Anthropause isn’t merely protecting individual lives, it turns out—in some places, it may be safeguarding the persistence of entire species.”

“With many national parks closed, their animal residents are getting a break (from us),” CNN, April 2020

"With Yosemite and other parks closed to tourists, wildlife is coming out of hiding, and indeed, even thriving in our absence, reclaiming some of the places that have been dominated by human activity for decades," said Beth Pratt, National Wildlife Federation's regional executive director for California.

“The Joy of Paul (Bear) Vasquez, The Double Rainbow Guy,” The New Yorker, May 2020

“As for the answer to Vasquez’s question, what does this mean, Pratt said, “It’s joy. What he reminded us of in that video—and what he reminded me every time I would see him—is there’s a lot of joy in nature, in things right in front of us that we take for granted.” She continued, “I know that that video started out being famous for parody, but I don’t think it ended up that way. I think most people really got that meaning. There was something so beautiful and profound in what he was seeing that most of us had forgotten to appreciate.”

“With many national parks closed, their animal residents are getting a break (from us),” CNN, April 2020

"With threats like vehicle collisions or being harassed for a selfie largely eliminated, the coyotes are trotting through Camp Curry hunting mice, and the black bears [are] wandering around a mostly empty Yosemite Village," said Pratt, who was vice president/CFO at the nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy for 10 years and still lives near the park. 

It shows "that even in our best protected places on the planet -- our national parks -- wildlife still get impacted by us humans," Pratt continued. 

"More than 400 bears have been hit by cars in Yosemite since 1995. That the animals seem to be enjoying this vacation from us is a good reminder that when the parks do reopen, let's be kinder and more respectful to the wildlife who call Yosemite and other parks home."

“Mountain lions get endangered species protections in parts of California,” The Mercury News, April 2020

“This is about not losing one of our irreplaceable animals. The world is watching us,” said Beth Pratt, California director of the National Wildlife Federation. “These animals are running out of time, and we don’t want them to disappear on our watch.”

“How Do Wildlife Crossings Work?” Curiosity Podcast, April 2020

Beth Pratt, leader of the Save LA Cougars campaign, explains how wildlife crossings work and the unique engineering behind the Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing.

“Can there be a Hollywood ending for the 'Brad Pitt of mountain lions'?,” The Guardian, February 2020

“P-22 is a celebrity but he’s not a success story. He’s also a poster child for what’s going wrong here with mountain lions and in some respects all wildlife,” says Beth Pratt, the California director for the National Wildlife Federation and leader of the #SaveLAsCougars campaign. We are sitting on a bench in Griffith Park admiring LA beneath us, Pratt clutching a lifesize cutout of P-22 as we chat.

“Following the Footsteps of LA's Famous Mountain Lion,” Spectrum News, October 2019

Which is why Pratt is walking the walk for the fourth year in a row. Her 50 mile journey began on Tuesday, at the future sight of the Liberty Canyon Wildlife Crossing, where she was fitted with the tracking collar she calls her "mountain lion bling."  

“World's largest highway overpass for wildlife on track in California,” CBS News, (Video), August 2019

"They can't get out of here to get dates, and cats can't get in to get dates. ... For those of us in L.A., having a romance prospect quashed by traffic is something we can all relate to," Pratt said.

“California to build largest wildlife crossing in world,” AP News, August 2019

One of the reasons it’s special is that 80% of the money to build it will come from private sources, Pratt said. She’s in charge of fundraising and is using P-22 — “the Brad Pitt of the cougar world” — as the poster cat for the campaign.

“He is world famous, handsome, everybody loves him,” she said about the cougar that’s been photographed in his park home with the Hollywood sign as a backdrop.

Retracing the Steps of a Mountain Lion (Video), NBC LA, November 2018

Beth Pratt is working with government officials, industry, and the local community to fundraise for a bridge that might save LA's mountain lions from the grim future predicted for them: extinction within 50 years. Aliya Jasmine accompanies Pratt on a 5 day 50 mile hike to retrace the steps of P-22.

“5 Days and 50 Miles: Why One Woman is Retracing the Steps of a Mountain Lion,” NBC LA, October 2018

Beth Pratt hopes her hike will bring attention to the plight of LA's mountain lions and their need for a wildlife crossing.

“Hikers Celebrate LA's Famous Cougar P-22 By Following In His Pawprints,” LAist, October 2018

For the third year in a row, Beth Pratt strapped on her mountain lion tracking collar before starting her 50-mile hike. The California director for the National Wildlife Federation stooped down in front of the Liberty Canyon trailhead and picked up her backpack and the cardboard-cutout she'll carry of P-22, Southern California's most famous mountain lion. Then she turned around and headed straight for the 101 freeway.

“Wildlife Champion Beth Pratt, GET OUTSIDE Podcast,” September 2018

Beth Pratt-Bergstrom was inspired by the NWF’s (National Wildlife Federation) Ranger Rick magazine as a child. Now, as the executive director of the California region of the NWF, she is inspiring others to embrace nature and wildlife—and our ability to coexist in urban spaces. She and Jason met at King Gillette Ranch to discuss her experiences in nature, how P22—the cougar living in Griffith Park—changed her perspective, and why she is leading the charge on establishing a wildlife overpass in Los Angeles.

“Naturalist finds lions in LA city parks, raptors on skyscrapers and foxes at Facebook, proving humans and wildlife can coexist in California,” San Gabriel Tribune, June 2018

Like Pratt-Bergstrom, it’s the wild animals adapting to us that blows us away. It was when she learned about L.A.’s most famous cat, P-22, when she held a California condor in her arms that made her think twice about how we humans see (or don’t see) nature.

It also gave her something most environmentalist don’t have: A positive message. Summed up as: Be in awe of nature. Coexist.

“Bridges and Walls: Wildlife Crossing,” KCRW, February 2018

DnA spoke with advocates and a staunch opponent of the bridge; transit engineers and architects who are using scent and plantings to design a wildlife crossing; and conservationists who have turned P22 into a poster lion for animal-wildlife coexistence

“To build a bridge for mountain lions, wildlife activists need $60 million, “ Los Angeles Times, December 2017

“I spend every waking moment wondering how the heck we’re going to accomplish this,” said Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, the federation’s regional executive director in California. “But we must because time is running out for Southern California’s mountain lions.”

“A Lion Among Men: How One Emboldened and Endangered Mountain Lion Took Los Angeles By Storm,” Men’s Journal, October 2017

“His journey, his celebrity, it’s not empty,” says Pratt-Bergstrom. “He’s getting people to rethink how they view wildlife. That’s huge — bigger even than him.” 

"LA’s endangered pumas to be saved by a $60m bridge over highway," New Scientist, June 2017

“Our fundraising target by the end of the year is $10 million,” says Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, California director for the National Wildlife Federation. She’s so enraptured with these animals that she has tattooed P-22 on her bicep, and leads hikes to trace the cats’ path.

"Wildlife Crossings Get a Whole New Look," Wall Street Journal, June 2017

“The old model of conservation—acquire large islands of habitat for wildlife and check the box, done—well, we know that alone doesn’t work anymore,” says Ms. Pratt. “We have to look at large landscape corridors for all wildlife.”

"Lions of Los Angeles," The New Yorker, February 2017

"P-22 has attuned the people of Los Angeles to the unsustainable predicament of their lions. “He is that relatable victim,” Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, the California director of the National Wildlife Federation, says. “He’s a social-justice story, an environmental story, a love story, stranded, as he is, in the park. He is a champion for so many issues—nobody has enough space.”

"Why Beth Pratt-Bergstrom Followed in the Footsteps of L.A.'s Most Famous Mountain Lion," LA Weekly, December 2016

"I think it's the most marvelous thing in the world that L.A. has said yes to mountain lions," Pratt-Bergstrom said. "They just feel better knowing they can coexist with wildlife. I think Angelenos embrace P-22 as an extension of the Hollywood dream that anything is possible here, even for a mountain lion. And L.A. appreciates its celebrities, even the animal kind."

"P-45 cougar drama draws attention to proposed wildlife freeway crossing," LA Daily News December 2016

“He’s dodged a big bullet,” said Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, state director for the National Wildlife Federation, of the cougar spared from being killed or relocated after his widely publicized attack. “We rallied for his cause. But it wasn’t just for one individual cat. We rallied for all the cats, 10 to 15 suffering from inbreeding and genetic isolation. We’re running out of time. Mountain lions are running out of time. They are the most acute case.”

"Shooting L.A.'s Mountain Lions Won't Protect Livestock. Being More Responsible Will." KCET, December 2016

"As wildlife loses more and more of their territory to more and more people—who bring domestic animals and livestock—we have to take responsibility for creating conditions for coexistence with the native wild inhabitants of the land," says Pratt-Bergstrom.

"Can following a famous cougar's journey help save urban wildlife?," KPCC, October 2016

"It is magical, doing this hike and seeing it through this cat's eyes. I am more admiring that he made it to Griffith Park. I don't know what spurred him on except a sense of adventure and obviously he needed to find a home. But wow, it's pretty cool doing it through his eyes," Pratt-Bergstrom tells KPCC.

Talk Nerdy Podcast with Cara Santa Maria, August 2016

California Director of the National Wildlife Federation, Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, tells Cara the story of P-22, Hollywood's famous mountain lion. They also talk about ways we can all aid in conservation efforts, like inviting native wildlife into your home garden and supporting the Santa Monica Mountains wildlife corridor.

"Wildlife Among Us in the Santa Monica Mountains," Topanga Messenger, August 2016

“Just because an area is developed doesn’t mean there’s no place for wildlife,” she said. “Bay porpoises have returned to San Francisco after 65 years and humpbacks are feeding in the bay,” she said. “There are wolves in California again. It’s astonishing, wonderful, and they did it on their own. What else will return if we continue to invite wildlife?”

"Stand By Me," Huffington Post, July 2016

"It’s one thing to say we should figure out how to live with other critters and another thing to do it. Beth Pratt-Bergstrom’s new book, When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working it Out in California, provides a pretty happy litany of species we do still have around, and positive stories about how folks are getting along with them."

"Where the Wild Things Are," Earth Island Journal, Summer 2016.

"I, for one, believe cities and nature can mix and need to mix for wildlife to have a future. We need to foster a daily relationship with our wild, nonhuman kin. It’s not about habituating wildlife to us, but about habituating ourselves to the wild world."

"L.A. Zoo to the mountain lion that probably ate its koala: No hard feelings," Washington Post, March 2016

“That we have a mountain lion living in the second largest city in the country is something to celebrate,” Pratt-Bergstrom said in a statement. “When the number-one threat to wildlife worldwide is loss of habitat, we can no longer think of our cities or towns or neighborhoods, or even our backyards, as exempt from the natural world—or as off limits to wildlife. For wildlife to have a future in this world where they are running out of room, co-existence is essential.”

"Griffith Park Mountain Lion P-22 Suspected of Killing Koala at L.A. Zoo" Los Angeles Times, March 2016

"Mountain Lions are called ghost cats for a reason," Beth Pratt-Bergstrom said. "They are solitary animals that want to be left alone. P-22 lives in an urban park visited by millions of people and is rarely seen, demonstrating what we already know --- it is possible to peacefully coexist and the risk of danger is very low."

"The roots of 'America's best idea'," CNN, February 2016

"Lincoln was in the middle of the Civil War -- he had other things on his mind -- but he said, 'this is important,' " said Beth Pratt, head of the National Wildlife Federation's California office.

"Bridge Seen as Key to Mountain Lion Survival Near L.A." Marketplace, January 2016

 "I think we owe it to these mountain lions, I think we owe it to all wildlife, and I think it is a great chance for Los Angeles…to show real leadership around the world."

"Santa Monica's Mountain Lions Are Stuck on an Island, and Fast Disappearing," Scientific American, November 2015

"Beth Pratt-Bergstrom is the National Wildlife Federation’s California director, and the founder of Save LA Cougars. To hear her tell it, she’s “not your average tree hugger. I have an MBA, I’m all about capitalism and the value of things. For too long we haven’t incorporated the cost of maintaining healthy ecosystems and wildlife, and this is a pretty cheap solution.”

"California unveils $30 million animal bridge plan," CBS This Morning, Video, September 2015 

"I think we owe it to them to give them back their wild spaces. We've taken so much of their habitat," Pratt said. 

"Famous Los Angeles puma holes up in residents' crawlspace," High Country News, April 2015

“I’ve worked on conservation projects in Yosemite,” says Pratt, who lives about 30 minutes from the national park. “I worked in Yellowstone for four years. But I’ve never seen anything like the support around getting this crossing for urban cougars. And P-22 is what did it. It was his cat-footed journey across the freeways to get to Griffith Park that captivated people. It’s been L.A.’s redemption.”

"L.A.'s Loneliest Lion," The New Yorker, April 2015 

"Yet the project has momentum. Beth Pratt, an energetic campaigner for the National Wildlife Federation, has won support from congressional representatives and local governments for a crossing in the Santa Monicas"

"Tattoo for a Lonely Cougar," Boom California, Winter 2014

"After twenty-five years of campaigning to protect wildlife and the environment, I finally stumbled on a surefire way to break through the noise and get my message across: get a tattoo."

"Lonely Cougars Look for Love in Southern California," The Wall Street Journal, September 2014

"He's never going to have a girlfriend, probably," said Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, the California director of the National Wildlife Federation. "He's going to be a lonely bachelor."

"7 Stunning U.S. Spots for Wildlife," CNN, April 2013

"To mark Earth Day 2013, CNN.com asked Pratt to share some of her favorite spots to find nature. Here are some of her recommendations and what makes each wild place special, in her own words:

"What is killing California sea lion pups? Why unusual event is a concern." Christian Science Monitor, April 2013

It seems pretty obvious to the average viewer that there is something going on in our oceans or environments that is driving such extraordinary changes in marine mammal behavior,” she says.