The first round of plants was planted at the Agoura Hills wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway, with the massive $92 million project set for completion in one year.

Project leaders of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing ceremoniously planted some of the 5,000 native plants on Tuesday, creating a natural habitat for the animals who will cross and inhabit the 1-acre site.

"This is reconnecting the Santa Monica Mountains to the rest of the world, for all wildlife," Beth Pratt, California's executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, said. "And that means being meticulous about designing a full habitat on top."

Over one million hyper-local seeds were collected within a five-mile radius, with a dedicated nursery team that has been growing the plants for years.

Project lead

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