There's a new landmark taking shape right in our backyard, and it's unlike anything else in Conejo Valley or, for that matter, the world. Spanning ten lanes of the 101 freeway and the adjacent Agoura Road at Liberty Canyon, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is set to become the largest wildlife crossing on the planet, and it's opening right here, close to home.
What Exactly Is It?
Picture a broad, planted ridge of native habitat arching quietly over one of the busiest freeways in America. It is not a bridge for cars, but a wildlife crossing for mountain lions, coyotes, deer, lizards, and everything in between. For decades, the 101 has cut the Santa Monica Mountains off from the Simi Hills, Santa Susana Mountains and Los Padres National Forest to the north, isolating wildlife populations (including local cougars) on shrinking islands of habitat. This crossing reconnects the biological communities north and south of the freeway, restoring a safe, living corridor between the mountains and the coast.
Why It's a Big Deal for Conejo Valley
This isn't just an engineering marvel. It's a conservation milestone with a very local story. The project grew out of the #SaveLACougars campaign and carries the legacy of P-22, the mountain lion whose isolated life in Griffith Park captured hearts around the world and became a symbol of exactly this problem. Now, Conejo Valley sits at the center of the solution: a joint effort of the National Wildlife Federation, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Caltrans, among others, all converging just off our own stretch of the 101.
Come See It for Yourself
You don't have to wait for the ribbon-cutting to experience it. Free, docent-led tours are already running, with new dates released weekly (typically Mondays and Fridays). In about 50 minutes, expert guides walk visitors through the engineering, the ecology, and the bigger story of why this crossing matters. Reservations go fast, so book early at 101wildlifecrossing.org/docent-tours.
The crossing itself is on track to be open for animal business in 2026, with the official ribbon cutting scheduled for December 2nd. Prefer to watch the transformation from home? Live construction webcams are streaming the progress right now at 101wildlifecrossing.org.
One important note for planning your visit: this is a working wildlife structure, not a park or pedestrian walkway, so public access is limited to scheduled tours in order to protect the animals it's built for.
Plan Your Visit
- Where: US-101 at Liberty Canyon Road, Agoura Hills (also accessible via Lost Hills Road and Chesebro Road)
- Tours: Free, ~50 minutes, docent-led reserve a spot
- Opening day: December 2, 2026
- Watch it happen: Live webcams at 101wildlifecrossing.org
