CONNECTIVITY CHALLENGES FOR LANDSCAPE-SCALE CONSERVATION THROUGH THE LENS OF THE NATURAL COMMUNITY CONSERVATION PLANNING ACT

Heather Pert; CDFW; heather.pert@wildlife.ca.gov; Breanna Machuca, Carly Beck, John Dempsey, Katrina Rehrer

The Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan), developed through the Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) Act, is one of the largest conservation plans in the nation, and encompasses approximately 1.26 million acres. The Plan provides protection for 146 species, of which 33 are state and/or federally threatened or endangered. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's NCCP program provides a balance between regional protection and conservation of plants, animals, and their habitats, while allowing for compatible economic development. The Plan creates a defined structure for conservation on a landscape scale to conserve core habitat and support wildlife connectivity through key movement corridors and habitat linkages within Western Riverside County. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and partnering wildlife agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provide the necessary support, direction, and guidance to streamline the permitting process to Natural Community Conservation Plan participants. This poster provides an overview of critical wildlife linkages and lessons learned on the challenges in assembling linkages in area under intense development pressure. The TWS -Western Section conference is held in the heart of the Plan; this poster provides an opportunity to create of awareness of this surrounding large landscape planning effort.

Poster Session  InPerson Presentation