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Public comment period opens for desert tortoise conservation planning

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting comments on a draft environmental impact statement for a general conservation plan for the threatened Mojave desert tortoise in California. Two virtual meetings are scheduled to answer questions about the planning efforts. Find out more.

The Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ecological Services program. The ES program helps lead conservation across the nation and administers the Endangered Species Act.

The Carlsbad Office has two office locations: Carlsbad, CA and Palm Springs, CA. With our partners, our goal is to establish a system of conserved, managed and enhanced habitats to support native wildlife across more than 50,000 square miles of Southern California.

Latest News

Close up of the brodiaea filifolia plant with purple leaves
Endangered Species Act
Celebrating the 20th Year of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representatives, along with state and local partners gathered on October 11 to celebrate the 20th anniversity of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan in Riverside, California.
Desert tortoise near its burrow
Endangered Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opens public review period for desert tortoise conservation plan
Palm Springs, Calif. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the opening of a public review period of a draft environmental impact statement for a general conservation plan for the federally threatened Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in California.
A flowering bush with small pale pink flowers
Endangered Species Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completes 90-day finding for species in California, Nevada and Oregon
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed initial 90-day findings on petitions to list the Crater Lake newt, Tecopa bird’s beak and the San Francisco estuary population of white sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act. The Fish and Wildlife Service’s review found the petitions presented...
desert tortoise sitting in a shaded area next to purple flowers
Desert Tortoise Week 2024
The Sixth Annual Desert Tortoise Week is scheduled for September 30 to October 4, 2024.
Endangered Species Act
Strategy to Manage Invasive Barred Owls to Protect Imperiled Spotted Owls
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a decision to adopt a final barred owl management strategy to protect imperiled northern and California spotted owls in Washington, Oregon and California from invasive barred owls.
two brown fish swimming near stones
Service Proposes Listing Santa Ana Speckled Dace as Threatened Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on its proposal to list the Santa Ana speckled dace as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Service determined that critical habitat for the species is not determinable at this time. With the proposed listing of the species,...
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About Us

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Image of the federally endangered Salt Marsh bird's beak plant
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Southern California is a land of contrasts. From the sandy coast along the Pacific Ocean, to the Transverse and Peninsular mountain ranges, to the Mojave Desert, these diverse geologic and climatic shifts support a multitude of plants, animals and fish, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. The Carlsbad and Palm Springs offices use a variety of conservation tools in partnership with federal and state agencies, tribes, local governments and private landowners to preserve these habitats and species for future generations. 

What We Do

We are responsible for implementing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) throughout Southern California. Our office also works in partnership with federal and state agencies, Tribes, local governments, non-governmental organizations and private landowners to conserve and recover species and habitats.

Large vernal pool at Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
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A large vernal pool on Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve in Riverside County, California.

Our Species

Within our area of responsibility we have 107 species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Federally listed species are either "threatened" - likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future, or "endangered" - in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Our offices work in partnership with others to protect and recover threatened and endangered species and their habitats to ensure their continued existence. We also work to conserve species "at-risk" of becoming threatened or endangered by promoting conservation efforts so that protection under the ESA is not needed.

Adult Santa Ana sucker fish blending in with the cobble river bottom.
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The Santa Ana sucker, pictured above, is one of more than 100 federally listed species of plants and animals the Carlsbad and Palm Springs offices work to conserve and recover. 

For a complete list of the species we work with visit our Species page. 

Projects and Research

Our offices work with numerous partners to fund and support research on species and their habitats. Together, our work results in positive conservation gains that support the recovery of listed and at-risk species.

Photo of brown and yellow juvenile tortoise eating a green plant.
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Get Involved

There are many avenues to enjoy and help wildlife in Southern California!

Location and Contact Information