Protecting Unique Desert Habitats from Destructive Gold Mining
An international mining company wants re-open a restored road and plans to begin exploratory drilling in Conglomerate Mesa. Hear from a scientist studying the region's flora.
Regional Conservation Planning
Development and clean energy production are ever-present needs in California. But we must balance those needs with equally pressing concerns of species and habitat protection. At CNPS, we believe in using best available science to guide planning and development decisions. It’s possible to find development space that doesn’t damage important habitat, and this often requires working together as scientists, conservationists, and planners. That’s why the CNPS conservation team is involved in a number of regional planning efforts now under way.
Types of planning
Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP)
NCCPs and HCPs are planning tools that provide opportunities to identify important plant areas, often related to sensitive wildlife habitat, and to conserve them through easements and acquisitions over time. CNPS is currently focused on work in Placer County, Santa Clara Valley, Butte County, San Diego County, Coachella Valley, Kern County, and other Southern California locations.
Regional Conservation Assessment (RCA)
RCAs inform conservation priorities and provide data in support of ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, water conservation, and preservation of agricultural lands. RCAs help build the information needed to create Regional Conservation Investment Strategies (RCIS), which will define lands of least and greatest conservation value. CNPS is now contributing to RCA efforts in the Mojave and Modoc Plateau in partnership with California’s Biodiversity and Strategic Growth Councils.
Regional Conservation Investment Strategies (RCIS)
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, an RCIS establishes biological goals and objectives at the species level and describes conservation actions and habitat enhancement actions that, if implemented, will contribute to those goals and objectives. CNPS is currently focused on RCIS projects in development for Antelope Valley (LA County), Yolo County, portions of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, parts of San Bernardino County, and in the Sacramento Valley.
From the Blog
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Protect the Shasta Snow Wreath
Plans to raise Shasta dam by more than 18 feet will threaten the rare Shasta snow wreath. Help us urge the Fish and Game Commission to list it as an Endangered Species. -
CNPS Sues Santa Barbara County Over Approval of Flawed Wind Energy Project
The Strauss Wind Energy Project violates both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and California Fish and Game Code.