Regional Conservation Planning

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.

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.

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.