Endangered Species Recovery Program | |
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U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Endangered species are plants or animals which have become very uncommon appear to be becoming even more uncommon as time continues. If it looks like a plant or animal will become extinct if certain changes are not made, the species is listed as Endangered or Threatened by the State and/or Federal governments. Additionally, plants may be classified as Rare. The Federal Government keeps a list of species which it believes might become extinct within the United States (some are endangered in the world). State governments keep their own lists, which occasionally are different from the Federal list. For example, a particular hawk species might be very common in the Midwest, but in California it is very uncommon. California might place the hawk species on its Endangered Species list, even though it may not be on the Federal list. Usually, the two lists are very similar - they may even be the same. And sometimes there isn't enough research evidence to show that the species needs to be put on the list. As more evidence is gathered, it may be added to the list. And a few species have even been removed from the list because their chances for survival have improved and they are becoming more common than they once were.
Be aware that there are two lists that we are concerned with - the Federal Endangered Species List, and the California Endangered Species List. These two lists may be combined. You may see one or the other list - this is not a complete list! Both lists must be considered! And these lists are being changed continuously. A list one or more years old is out of date!
Reclamation has a policy to protect even State-listed species and all species that are candidates to be listed on the State and/or Federal lists. So, if it is on either list, or if it is a candidate on either list, we are to protect it.
We can protect wildlife and plants by protecting their habitats from destruction. Reduction or destruction of habitat frequently is due to city development, mining, oil drilling, logging, and farming. Habitats eventually may disappear completely because of large projects that cover many acres, or because of many small projects added together. Although some plants and animals can live in a variety of habitats, plants and animals on either of these lists, or candidates for the lists, tend to be restricted to a specific type of habitat that is disappearing. For plants and animals on the lists, and for candidates for the lists, protecting their habitats from destruction is of extreme importance.
Habitat enhancement projects are a valuable tool in maintaining habitats for all organisms. These projects sometimes involve huge acreages being carefully managed, but smaller projects are also valuable because their effects are multiplied. For example, many landowners putting in protected pipes for kit foxes to use as escape routes or as dens can have a significant and positive impact on the kit fox population. Also, many employees of an irrigation district carefully avoiding damage to existing habitats can have the same positive impact on plant and animal species living within those habitats. When it comes to protection of habitat, each person really does make a difference.
Maps with species occurrence records require a password. Contact site administrator to inquire about access.
Complete copy (PDF), 13 MB (may take long to download)
Links to GIS data used:
