Animals

The number of species protected and managed is one currency by which we can measure our conservation activity and success. Although maximizing the number of species on CNLM preserves is not a specific goal, our acquisition strategy is focused on protecting the most imperiled species and their habitats. In some cases, we may be protecting one or several of the few remaining populations of a species—as is the case, for example, for the Casey’s June beetle and the riparian brush rabbit. As of April, 2017, we protect close to 45 endangered or threatened animal species on our portfolio of preserves in California and the state of Washington. Those species span a broad taxonomic range from insects to mammals to reptiles. In California, we protect populations of almost 30% of the federally listed species in the state. In addition to those ‘listed’ species (that is, protected under the state or federal Endangered Species Acts) and the many more broadly distributed native species, we protect rare and special-status species such as those covered under Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCPs) and the national Migratory Bird Act Treaty. We take seriously the protection of and care for these vulnerable populations of at-risk species.

Featured Species

Riparian Brush Rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani riparius): This small cottontail rabbit, which can be found on Oxbow Preserve, was historically associated with riparian forests along parts of the San Joaquin River and its tributaries on the San Joaquin Valley floor. This species occurs at the Oxbow Preserve. It was listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2000, and endangered under the California Endangered Species Act in 1994. Species Profile *

Photo Credit: CNLM Staff

Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama) Mazama Pocket Gopher, as well as four subspecies (the Olympia pocket gopher, Roy Prairie pocket gopher, Tenino pocket gopher, and Yelm pocket gopher) became federally listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened in April 2014. A small mammal with long front teeth, they dig and live in tunnels, carry food in their external cheek pockets and are native to the South Puget Sound prairies. Species Profile *

Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus) One of the few remaining populations of this federal-endangered species is protected and managed at CNLM’s Dana Point Preserve. There it occurs on loose sand substrates in a coastal sage scrub community. Species Profile *

California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii) This federal-threatened species is protected on several CNLM preserves, including the Windemere Ranch Preserve in Contra Costa County, California. Species Profile *

Oregon Spotted frog (Rana pretiosa): This brown to red colored frog is named for the characteristic black spots covering its body. The species is currently known from southwestern British Columbia south through the Puget Trough, and the Cascades Range from south-central Washington to the Klamath Basin in southern Oregon, and was listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2014. Species Profile *

Photo Credit: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori) This federal-endangered species occurs on CNLM’s Dan Kelly Ridge Preserve in Clallam County, Washington and may be reintroduced onto other CNLM preserves once they have been appropriately restored. Species Profile *

Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) This federal-threatened bird species is protected and managed on many CNLM preserves in southern California, including CNLM’s Dana Point Preserve. Its native habitat is coastal sage scrub. Species Profile *

Photo Credit: Dee Dee Gollwitzer

Giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) This federal- and state-threatened species once inhabited freshwater marshes and wetlands throughout the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. Today, only about 5 percent of its historical wetland habitat remains. This species, that can attain a length of over five feet, is protected on two CNLM preserves in northern California, Willey Wetlands and Prichard Lake. Species Profile *

* Species Profiles prepared by the US Fish and Wildlife Service