In May 2017, large numbers of California tiger salamander (CTS; Ambystoma californiense) metamorphs were observed on one of the active runways at Travis Air Force Base in Solano County, California. This was noteworthy given that fewer than a half dozen CTS had been recorded on the 5,100-acre base prior to 2017. The Air Force responded by implementing a number of actions to study and protect CTS on the base. These actions included drift fence with pitfall trap studies, road and runway checks, and breeding pond surveys to characterize the movement patterns and size of the CTS population. Over the past seven years, these studies have recorded over 6,500 juvenile and adult CTS on the base. This talk will cover what we’ve learned about the Travis AFB CTS population including population size variability; movement patterns and the factors that influence CTS movement; and best practices for CTS management and monitoring.

Dr. Jaymee Marty is an independent Ecologist with over 25 years of academic, military and professional experience in the fields of ecology and conservation biology. She specializes in research, restoration and management of riparian, vernal pool, and grassland habitats including the wildlife associated with these habitat types.