ESA at 50: A Tour of ESA-Listed Species in Northern California

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The Endangered Species Act turns 50 this year! The ESA enables the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and conserve plant and animal species and their habitats across the United States.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is the most significant piece of endangered species legislation and is considered one of the world’s most important conservation laws. When Congress passed the Endangered Species Act in 1973, it recognized that our rich natural heritage is of “esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our Nation and its people.” It further expressed concern that many of our nation’s native plants and animals were in danger of becoming extinct. The ESA provides the protection of ecosystems, the conservation of endangered and threatened species, and the enforcement of all treaties related to wildlife preservation. Currently, the ESA protects 1,662 U.S. species and 638 foreign species. The ESA has been highly effective and credited with saving 99 percent of listed species from extinction. 

The Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office works with partners throughout California to recover species that have been listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA through habitat conservation and restoration, captive breeding and release efforts, and working government agencies and private landowners to reduce impacts on important habitats. Let's take a tour of the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office's jurisdiction and some of the listed species that live here.  

Sacramento River near Hamilton City, CA

Western yellow-billed cuckoo perched on a branch.
Western yellow-billed cuckoo | Image Details
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher singing on a branch
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher | Image Details
an orange and brown giant garter snake curled up on a rock
Giant gartersnake | Image Details
a hand holding a fish
A winter-run Chinook salmon  | Image Details

San Joaquin River and Wetlands near Stevison, CA

Agrey and white bird perched in a branch
Least Bell’s vireo  | Image Details
A small brown rabbit.
Riparian brush rabbit | Image Details
male valley elderberry longhorn beetle on elderberry leaf
Valley elderberry longhorn beetle | Image Details

Marin County and Sonoma Coast

owl perched in tree
Northern spotted owl | Image Details
white and brown bird with black beak stands on sand
Western snowy plover | Image Details
two frogs sit side-by-side. They are brownish red with black spots and stripes
California red-legged frogs | Image Details
A small light blue butterfly sits on an orange California poppy.
Mission blue butterfly | Image Details