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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks public comment on a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Gavilan College San Benito Campus and Fairview Corners Residential Development in San Benito County. The draft plan outlines strategies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to the federally threatened California tiger salamander and federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox from activities necessary for the development of a college campus and residential subdivision.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks public comment on draft Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) for Pacific Gas and Electric Company Pipeline Vegetation Management in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, California. The draft plans outline strategies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, and the federally threatened California red-legged frog from activities necessary for the removal of vegetation along two natural gas pipelines.

The field office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Ventura is pleased to announce that local Service botanist, Connie Rutherford, received the 2017 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Champion award; recognizing her work to advance the recovery of endangered and threatened species along the California coast. Each year the Service recognizes employees and conservation partners from each geographical region who exemplify dedication and commitment to endangered species recovery. Rutherford was selected to represent the Pacific Southwest Region, covering California and parts of Oregon and Nevada.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks public comment on a draft Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the Endangered Sandhills Species at the Clements Property Project, Santa Cruz County, California. The draft plan outlines strategies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle and Zayante band-winged grasshopper from activities necessary for the construction of outdoor recreational facilities.

The U.S. Coast Guard has requested an Incidental Harassment Authorization, pursuant to section 101(a)(5)(iii) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, for impacts to small numbers of southern sea otters that may occur incidental to otherwise lawful activities. The Service invites comments from the public on the Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization. The 30-day comment period will close on May 25.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks public comment on a Renewal of Incidental Take Permits; Interim Programmatic Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) from the County of Santa Cruz and City of Scotts Valley, California. The plan outlines strategies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle and Ben Lomond spineflower, from activities associated with the construction of certain eligible small development projects in densely developed residential neighborhoods.

Meet the women of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Ventura, California. This Women’s History Month, we honor the instrumental contributions of remarkable women to our ultimate mission: the conservation and protection of rare fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. In this video series, you’ll hear what inspired these women to pursue careers in conservation, and what advice they have for young women today.

Thanks to a recent conservation agreement and other proactive measures, the San Fernando Valley spineflower, a plant endemic to southern California, is no longer at risk of becoming endangered in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has withdrawn a proposal to list the spineflower as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Santa Cruz cypress, Lane Mountain milk-vetch, and Island bedstraw. Few people know them by name, but we can attribute their continued existence on Earth, in part, to one woman’s passion and lifelong commitment to their recovery. As we celebrate inspirational women in science during Women’s History Month this March, we delve into the inspirational life and career of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service botanist Connie Rutherford, and the plants she helped save from the brink of extinction.

In March 2018, Rick Farris, wildlife biologist and section 7 coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Ventura, California will retire after two decades with the agency.  We asked Rick to share a few memories of his time with the Service and his advice for future generations of conservationists.