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

Latest News

Gloved hands hold a small, green, spiky fish
Habitat Restoration
New restoration and monitoring plan will help imperiled fish in Klamath Basin
After seven years of robust discussion and collaboration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized the Klamath Basin Integrated Fisheries Restoration and Management Plan, which will serve as a living roadmap describing the highest priority watershed restoration and monitoring actions to help...
Landcape photo of a green basin with snowcapped mountain in the background.
Land Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Makes $15 Million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Available for Klamath Basin Restoration Projects
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it is seeking pre-proposals for projects supported by up to $15 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for ecosystem restoration activities that address high-priority Klamath Basin challenges in southern Oregon and northern...
a brown owl with white spots sits on a snag with brown foliage in the background
Endangered Species Act
Public Comment Sought on Proposal to List California Spotted Owl
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it is proposing to list the California spotted owl under the ESA. The Service is proposing to list the Coastal-Southern California DPS as endangered and the Sierra Nevada DPS as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. As part of this proposed...
View of California's Elkhorn Slough
Endangered Species Act
Aquatic restoration made easier for federal agencies in California
This month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a statewide consultation to help simplify implementation of important aquatic habitat restoration project in California for the benefit of wildlife and people while federal agencies fulfill Endangered Species Act obligations.
A brown owl with white streaks and spots sits in a tree with green moss and needles.
Endangered Species Act
Service Seeks Public Input on Barred Owl Management Strategy
PORTLAND, Ore. - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites public input in the preparation of a draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Barred Owl Management Strategy to address the threat of the non-native barred owl to native northern and California spotted owls. This announcement opens a 30-...
the kenwood marsh checkermallow is a bright pink flower that clusters into the shape of a cone
Wildlife Wonders
Colorful Spring Flowers of the West
We’ve all heard the saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” but at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we like to say, “listed flowers are the prettiest.” Here’s a few threatened and endangered flowers in California and Nevada that we think prove our point.
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About Us

The Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office (Yreka FWO) is one of four U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices that works to protect and restore healthy populations of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the Klamath River Basin. These offices are the Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office, the Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office and the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

In addition, Yreka FWO works closely with a variety of partners at the national, tribal, state and local levels.  

What We Do

The Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office is involved in numerous habitat and wildlife restoration projects in the region. Our area of coverage ranges from the California/Oregon border along the I-5 corridor, and includes Siskiyou, Shasta, Trinity and Tehama counties. We also support other FWOs on projects with species having overlapping jurisdictions.

Our Organization

The Yreka FWO performs work under several USFWS program areas, including Ecological Services, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Fish and Aquatic Conservation and Habitat Restoration. We also have a Native American Program Specialist, a Public Affairs Officer and a team of Administrative professionals who manage the many grants, budgets, personnel matters to keep the office running smoothly and efficiently.

A rocky shoreline of a river. The water is calm. Mist and green branches line the river.
The Ecological Services Program works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, we work with federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to...
Program
Baileys Crossroads, VA
Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.
Program
Falls Church, VA
Close up of a California condor. Its pink featherless head contrasts with its black feathers.
We provide national leadership in the recovery and conservation of our nation's imperiled plant and animal species, working with experts in the scientific community to identify species on the verge of extinction and to build the road to recovery to bring them back. We work with a range of public...
Program
Baileys Crossroads, VA
A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.
The Fish Passage Program works with local communities on a voluntary basis to restore rivers and conserve our nation’s aquatic resources by removing or bypassing barriers. Our projects benefit both fish and people.
Program
Partners for Fish and Wildlife: Nevada Coordinator Susan Abele Meets with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Member to Conduct a Site Visit at Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land. Since 1987, we have helped more than 60,000 landowners restore more than 7...
Program
Falls Church, VA
Native American Rock Carvings.
Working together with Native American Liaisons and officials from among the Federally recognized Tribes nationwide, the Office of the Native American Liaison identifies areas where both Federal and Tribal conservation efforts can most effectively conserve fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
Program

Our Species

One of the main roles of the Yreka FWO is consultation with other Federal agencies on projects that may affect species or their critical habitat as listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This is important because all federal agencies, not just the Fish and Wildlife Service, have a responsibility to conserve listed species and critical habitat.

Yreka FWO biologists monitor the status and support the recovery of several species of rare fish, wildlife, and plants, from furry mammals like the fisher, to the old-growth forest dwelling Northern spotted owl, to the small and secretive Shasta salamander group, the elusive Franklin's bumble bee, and colorful plants like the Yreka phlox. We work with landowners and leading scientists to gather the best available science on each species and their habitat, and work with our many partners to implement on-the-ground conservation that supports their recovery.

Click here for more information on survey protocols and guidelines for recovery permits in the Pacific Southwest Region. 

a fisher on a log
Image Details
a close up photo of a fisher's face

Long body; looks stockier than most other mustelids because of its long fur. Dark brown above and below. Broad head has grayish cast; pointed snout; small ears. Bushy tail. Male larger than female.

FWS Focus
Species
Kingdom
Animalia
Taxonomic Rank
Species
Northern spotted owl

The northern spotted owl is a medium-sized, dark brown owl with a barred tail, white spots on the head and breast, and dark brown eyes surrounded by prominent facial disks. Males and females have similar plumage, but females typically weigh 10 to 20 percent more than males.

FWS Focus
Species
Kingdom
Animalia
Taxonomic Rank
Subspecies
The Siskiyou Mountains salamander is a completely terrestrial, medium- sized, slender-bodied salamander with short limbs and a dorsal stripe. This species is found in or near talus (loose surface rock) and fissured rock outcrops where moisture and humidity are high enough to allow respiration...
FWS Focus
Species
Kingdom
Animalia
Taxonomic Rank
Species
pink flowering plant

The Yreka phlox is a perennial, low-growing bright rose-pink to white-flowered plant that grows in soils derived from ultramafic parent materials (igneous rock containing high concentrations of iron and magnesium) in and near the City of Yreka, Siskiyou County, California. This species has a...

FWS Focus
Species
Kingdom
Plantae
Taxonomic Rank
Species
A gray wolf lays in the the snow-covered grass

The gray wolf, being a keystone predator, is an integral component of the ecosystems to which it typically belongs. The wide range of habitats in which wolves can thrive reflects their adaptability as a species, and includes temperate forests, mountains, tundra, taiga, and grasslands. Gray...

FWS Focus
Species
Kingdom
Animalia
Taxonomic Rank
Species
A huge school of silver fishes swimming in a stream

Coho salmon are a species of Pacific salmon which inhabit the Pacific coast in California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska.  These fish are also known as silver salmon.  The average size adult coho is around 24 inches and 8-9 pounds, but can range up to 20lbs...

FWS Focus
Species
Kingdom
Animalia
Taxonomic Rank
Species

Our Library

The Yreka FWO began producing a semi-annual newsletter as a means to share the successes of our office, the people who make conservation happen, and some of the compelling species we are responsible for managing in the northern part of California. All content is written by our staff of biologists whose passion for their work is evident in their words. Each issue has a theme for the type of species or projects featured, a profile of one of our talented staff members, and a species spotlight.

These issues are the best way to learn more about what we do and our many collaborative efforts to conserve the uniqueness of the Klamath Basin ecosystem.

Klamath Basin Newsletter - Fall 2021
Name
Klamath Basin Newsletter - Fall 2021

Dive into the first-ever Klamath Basin Newsletter - Fall 2021, featuring articles and photos from our three fish and wildlife offices along the Klamath River, from Klamath Falls OR to Yreka and Arcata CA. Stories show our projects, programs and people along the river way, highlighting our...

PDF

Get Involved

A connection with nature is important, whether you are a child or an adult.  Exploring nature encourages the use of imagination, use of the five senses, and provides an outlet from day to day routines. Children are future naturalists and conservationists, so the stronger we encourage their bonds with nature, the stronger their resolve will be to enjoy and conserve nature. 

There are a number of opportunities to connect with nature in the Yreka, California area:

 

Location and Contact Information