CNDDB News Blog

The following CNDDB documents have been updated:

• Special Vascular Plants, Bryophytes, and Lichens List (PDF)
• Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Plants List (PDF)
• Changes to the CNDDB Special Vascular Plants, Bryophytes, and Lichens List (PDF)
• Special Animals List (PDF)
• Endangered and Threatened Animals List (PDF)

Links to the T&E and Special Plants/Animals lists can be found on the CNDDB Plants and Animals web page. More information about state listing can be found at the California Fish and Game Commission CESA website and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife CESA website. If you have any questions about these lists, please email us at CNDDB@wildlife.ca.gov.

Our barred owl datasets have been updated!

Barred Owl Observations by PLSS Section [ds2873] is available to view and to download in the BIOS Viewer. This layer summarizes the information contained in the Barred Owl Observations Database and allows users to see PLSS sections containing barred owl detections as well as the year an owl was first reported and last found in those sections.

Barred Owl Observations [ds8] is available in the BIOS Viewer for CNDDB subscribers. The barred owl database includes barred owl (Strix varia), Strix hybrid, and unknown Strix detections. This dataset is only available to CNDDB subscribers because it contains references to sensitive spotted owl locations. For a copy of the geodatabase or for site-specific inquiries, contact the database manager at owlobs@wildlife.ca.gov.

Due to the varied nature of barred owl surveys, detections, and reporting in the state, these datasets may not fully represent the historical and current distribution of barred owls in California.

For more information on barred owls in California, check out CDFW’s Barred Owl Threat web page.

A lot has happened the last two years. Most notably, a pandemic hit the world and we found ourselves quickly adapting to working from home. Our Spotted Owl Database Manager volunteered and assisted in contact tracing for a year. In addition, we had numerous staff changes. We said goodbye our contractors and our supervisor in early in 2021, and recently lost one of our long-time botanists (though we are happy she still works within CDFW). We welcomed a few new staff as well, including a scientific aid and our new supervisor. Though things were challenging and ever-changing, we kept progressing CNDDB the best we could. Here is a summary of what we have done in 2021, and our goals for 2022:

2021 By the Numbers

• 100,400 total occurrences in CNDDB
  • 1,200 new occurrences mapped
  • 1,600 occurrences updated
• 272,300 total source records in CNDDB
  • 7,200 sources added (3,400 records added through the Online Field Survey Form)
  • 5,200 sources processed
• 3,600 total spotted owl records
  • 1,600 CSO and 2000 NSO records added
  • 1,300 spotted owl sites updated
  • 343 activity centers updated
  • 28 activity centers added
• 900 barred owl records added to the Barred Owl Observations Database
• 87 element state rankings have been updated
• Continued expanding our CNDDB iNaturalist Project (click to join us!)
  • 35,900 observations
  • 1,800 species
  • 2,900 people

Accomplishments since our 2019 yearly review

• Reached 100,000 Element Occurrences in the database
• Launched the CNDDB FAQ page
• Launched a CNDDB overview video on our training page

Goals for 2022

• Expand CNDDB staff resources to the extent possible
• Develop and broaden CNDDB outreach
• Update CNDDB training materials
  • Update RareFind training video
  • Develop a virtual CNDDB training course
• Continue planning for new ways CNDDB systems and processes can better serve all interested parties, such as the use of an observation data system.

And, of course, we will continue producing high-quality data for environmental planners and researchers to use in protecting California’s rarest natural resources. We can’t do it without your help, though, so please remember to submit your data. Visit our data submission page, which includes a link to our Online Field Survey Form, the preferred method for data submission. As always, you can contact us at any time with suggestions or questions by emailing CNDDB@wildlife.ca.gov. Wishing everyone a wonderful 2022!