Amphibian and reptile species face numerous threats including disease, habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, and climate change. However, effective management and conservation of herpetofauna largely depends upon resource-intensive survey methodologies. Camera trapping techniques show promise, but these methods must be tested alongside traditional methods to fully understand their advantages and disadvantages. To meet this research need, we compared an approach that combines a drift fence with short-focus camera traps to visual encounter surveys (VES) with cover boards. Between June and August 2020, we conducted two VES and installed one drift fence with camera traps at ten sites in Monterey County, CA, USA. The drift fence/camera setup outperformed the VES in terms of number of observations and herpetofauna species detected, while also resulting in detections of numerous small mammal, bird, and invertebrate species. Due to the effectiveness of the drift fence/camera setup, we have employed this technique at 170 survey locations across central and northern California in 2021-2022 and modified the methodology to improve performance and cost-effectiveness. Continued and broader application of this approach across California will provide critically needed data for the management and conservation of small animals, particularly small mammals and reptiles.

California harbors up to 28 species of native anurans in four families. Of these, the majority (17 species-61%) have been noted as declining in distribution and abundance and are protected as threatened, endangered, or under other regulatory status designations. Among this multitude of threatened amphibians, the Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), perhaps North America’s most widespread amphibian, appears almost forgotten from discussion in California. The Northern Leopard Frog’s status in California has been confounded by the introduction and establishment of non-native populations, combined with a confusing taxonomic history and a propensity to occur on private land. A presumed native population has not been observed in California since the early 1990’s: however, in 2019 a dead leopard frog was observed on a snowbank in Mono County, within the presumed historical native range of the species. Subsequent surveys in 2020-2022 have documented an extant but sparse population in the Walker River Watershed west of the Nevada border. Here we report on the collection history of Rana pipiens in California via museum records. We provide survey results from the Walker River site and outline potential steps for habitat enhancement. Lastly, we present ideas for the conservation of this species in the Golden State.

The One Lake project is a large-scale, transit-oriented, mixed use residential and commercial development and public infrastructure project which at build-out will affect 378+ acres of California tiger salamanders (CTS) breeding, movement, and upland habitat. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation are threats to CTS populations. To further sustain the regional CTS population, 668+ acres of on-site mitigation were set aside in perpetuity including 14 created CTS breeding pools, reestablished and rehabilitated seasonal wetlands, and constructed mounds. Despite drought conditions, capture and relocation to on-site mitigation areas resulted in handling/monitoring of 8,310 CTS (7,939 larvae and 371 adults, juveniles, and metamorphs) from November 2018 through December 2022. Under our mitigation criteria the 14 CTS breeding pools were created, and CTS were documented successfully breeding in four of these pools and a fifth adjacent pool on an established conservation bank in the winter of 2021-2022. No CTS have been relocated to three of these pools since 2019. Relocation of CTS adults and larvae combined with enhanced mitigation areas have resulted in the continued success of an isolated CTS population in Solano County.

This presentation will review biological observations and lessons learned during habitat enhancement actions at San Francisco International Airport’s West-of-Bayshore property in San Mateo County. Discussion will center upon three uncommon aspects of California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) biology that were encountered in summer 2022, and how each affected the site enhancement approach. These include aestivating frogs that were discovered during the record-breaking September 2022 heat wave; a localized area where tadpoles and metamorphs expressed severe edema (bloating); and how the finding of overwintering larvae affected site enhancement actions. Field responses to be discussed include the use of a portable vascular doppler meter to detect blood movement in unresponsive aestivating frogs; laboratory treatment methods, pathology reports, and water quality testing results to respond to the observed edema; and efforts to retain floating vegetation (floating marsh pennywort; Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) to maintain habitat and avoid late season California red-legged frog tadpoles.

The persistence of threatened species in California is in part the result of head-starting programs of local institutions and partnerships. Given increasingly limited resources, small teams of conservation professionals must optimize growth and survival of head-starts throughout development in captivity, as well as consider the environment into which these animals will be released—more uncertain and dynamic now than ever. Here, we present on San Francisco Zoo and Yosemite National Park’s project to rear threatened California Red-legged Frogs (Rana draytonii) for release in Yosemite. We consider both behavior and disease susceptibility in our efforts to raise frogs best suited for the wild.

Many endangered species live in extremely altered habitat and historical habitat may only be known through written descriptions of landscapes prior to alteration. Restoring habitat for species in these situations can be difficult when there are unknowns and consensus on design is needed to ensure habitat elements for listed species. California’s Central Valley is reflective of this situation where the vast expanse of wetlands has been levied and converted to agriculture and development. Lookout Slough, a large-scale multi-benefit restoration project for fish habitat and flood protection would create tidal wetland habitat reflective of historical conditions. The project provides a great opportunity to include design elements for the semi-aquatic giant gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas), a threatened species endemic to the Central Valley. The species was previously believed extirpated in the region, but detected by the project during the planning phase. Habitat design was a collaboration between species experts, agency personnel, and the project design team to incorporate both aquatic and terrestrial habitat elements for the snake while still meeting project goals for fish restoration credits. Habitat design was adjusted to reduce snake winter refugia flood risk. An overview of the project and processes to address design uncertainty for snake habitat is provided.