Hey everyone,
My name’s Mekhi, I’m a college student and longtime Onondaga County resident. I’m starting this petition because I recently saw something that really stuck with me. While walking near Onondaga Lake, I saw a family of geese trying to cross the highway near Lakeland. Cars were flying by, barely missing them. Luckily they made it back — but it could’ve gone way worse. That moment made me realize something: these roads don’t just cut through nature — they cut through homes. For the animals who live here, just moving around is now a deadly risk. This isn’t just about one group of geese. It’s about deer, turtles, foxes, and so many other species in our community that are threatened every day by our traffic. These animals aren’t lost — we’ve built right through their habitats. It’s up to us to help them survive it. We have examples from other states where wildlife crossings have reduced accidents by 85–90%. Every year, over 1 million animals are hit by vehicles in the U.S., and hundreds of people are injured or killed in these crashes. Onondaga County can lead the way in fixing that. we care — about animals, drivers, and our shared home. I’m asking Onondaga County and New York State officials to take real, doable steps to protect local wildlife and improve road safety:

 •  Wildlife crossings — small overpasses or tunnels in key areas

 •  Animal crossing signs in high-risk zones

 •  Seasonal or permanent fencing to direct wildlife safely

 •  Lower speed limits or speed bumps near water and forest areas

Thank you,

Mekhi Johnson