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  • Deer taking advantage of the rare wildlife crossing under I-4.

  • Bear know what to do with a bridge.

  • A big alligator takes advantage of the spacious underpass at SR 29.

Brent developed the Statewide Wildlife Crossing Map, an interactive tool that tracks animal activity at crossings across Florida.

Brent Setchell

FDOT District 1 Drainage Design Engineer

Brent Setchell Since 2016 Mr. Setchell has served as the FDOT District 1 Drainage Design Engineer and has championed several innovative wildlife crossing projects. Wildlife crossings have proven to be the most effective tool at both reducing wildlife vehicle collisions (WVCs) and improving wildlife connectivity.

With the legislature’s unanimous support for the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act in 2021 and further dedication of over $100 million toward the Florida Wildlife Corridor in the 2025 budget, it’s clear that Floridians strongly support the idea of a connected wildlife corridor. Although many of FDOT’s roadways cross the Florida Wildlife Corridor which fragments the landscape, road projects also provide an opportunity for improvements. Building Wild Spaces, Connectivity on I-4 is a 20-minute film, made in collaboration with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and FStop Foundation, that features the work of Brent Setchell and his team.

Mr. Setchell's presentation explores the engineering designs of recent projects and efforts to improve wildlife connectivity within central and southwest Florida. Learn about the variety of tools and data FDOT uses to make sound decisions on where to locate wildlife crossings and the innovative wildlife crossing designs.

Brent Setchell, P.E. graduated Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida with a BS in Civil Engineering. Brent has been licensed in Florida as a Professional Engineer since 2005. Brent joined the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in 2009 and served as the District 1 Environmental Permitting Engineer for 7 years.