2016 Year in Review

We pride ourselves in solid science to support decision-making with regards to all facets of the Endangered Species Act. This year, we announced science-based listing decisions for a suite of species in our area, from two Pacific seabirds that evaded the endangered species list due to proactive conservation efforts, to the Channel Islands fox which was saved from the brink of extinction in record time due to remarkable collaboration by island land managers and partners.

We are focused on moving the conservation needle forward and facilitating, supporting, and promoting the recovery of rare wildlife. This year, through our Safe Harbor Program, we worked with California State Parks to reestablish California red-legged frogs across four state parks. Working alongside our partners in the southern sea otter conservation community, we identified range expansion as a necessary component to southern sea otter recovery. Our Conservation Banking program is reaching new heights, seeing successful California tiger salamander breeding at La Purisima Conservation Bank, and the establishment of a new bank in Santa Clara and San Benito counties. Through a species status assessment, we’re helping find out what’s happening with the monarch butterfly population, so that we can work with our conservation partners to ensure monarchs remain part of our landscape for years to come.

We are reaching out within our communities as storytellers. We share engaging and impactful stories about the rare fish, wildlife, and plants of the southern and central California coast, their unique ecosystems, and the people who work to save them from extinction.

We connect kids, parents, teachers, and community members with nature every day. This year, our Schoolyard Habitat Program has extended to more than 16 schools and more than 10,000 students, with a specific focus on underserved schools in our local communities.  Our new partnerships with non-traditional community groups like the Salvation Army and Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast are opening doors to new opportunities to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences with their natural world.

The stories featured in our 2016 Year in Review not only provide insights into the daily work of our team, but also demonstrate that our true strength lies in the synergy of our partnerships. We worked alongside our fellow Department of the Interior agencies to move species one step closer to recovery, and we worked with our military partners to enhance habitats for threatened and endangered species on military lands. Zoos and public entities have served pivotal roles in educating the community about our natural world, and non-profit and private organizations have filled crucial voids where additional momentum was needed.

This year, and every year to come, we will remain committed to the recovery of our imperiled fish, wildlife, and plants, and the habitats upon which they depend.  We would like to use this opportunity to thank everyone that played a role in these conservation successes this year.