Recovery planning is a critical component of the conservation of threatened and endangered species. In recognition of this need, the California legislature amended the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) to empower the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Department) to create non-regulatory recovery plans aimed at conserving listed species to the point where CESA protections are no longer required. In 2025, the Department formalized this process by developing Guidelines for Recovery Planning, structured around a three-part framework paralleling federal recovery planning: Scientific Assessment, Recovery Plan, and Implementation Strategy. Here, we outline the three-part framework, discuss the Department’s approach to prioritizing CESA-listed species for recovery planning, and review the current progress of recovery planning initiatives under CESA.

Austin Roy is a wildlife ecologist whose goals include using his skills to be part of a productive team of researchers and managers to better understand the natural world. He received his B.S. from Humboldt State University and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at El Paso. Austin is currently the CESA Recovery Coordinator for Wildlife Branch in the Wildlife Diversity Program at CDFW. In addition to recovery planning for endangered species, Austin works with collaborators throughout the state to conduct research involving wildlife ecology and endangered species conservation.