CDFW News

Multi-Agency Report Published Identifying Conservation Priorities for Western Monarch Butterfly

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:41:15 GMT

Sacramento – The California Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative has published a report on the results of a years-long process to identify priority conservation actions and research needs for the western monarch butterfly. The “Conservation Priorities for the Western Monarch Butterfly in California” report, involving members of 13 state and federal agencies, marks a significant effort to address threats to the western monarch butterfly, whose population has declined catastrophically in recent years.

"Monarch recovery starts with restoring habitat, expanding native plants and aligning science with on-the-ground action across agencies and partners. This roadmap gives 13 state and federal entities — and the public — a shared path forward to help these iconic pollinators rebound," said Meghan Hertel, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“The western monarch’s journey is testament of their endurance. Their survival — as well as other pollinators — requires a collective, persistent effort to turn our landscapes into welcoming habitats,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “By leveraging shared resources and expertise, we can enhance monarch and pollinator conservation throughout the West Coast."

The report identifies five top-priority actions for the next three years:

Develop common monarch habitat definitions for the west
Track implementation and success of habitat projects
Centralize existing pollinator resources
Improve the availability of native plant materials
Develop a demographic model to help identify key vulnerabilities in the western monarch life cycle

Knowledge gaps recognized in the report include effects of pesticides on monarchs, conservation strategies on rangelands and the impacts of wildfire on monarch habitat. The Collaborative also identified the need to improve coordination with California Native American tribes for pollinator conservation efforts across the state.

“This report lays out a roadmap for addressing some of the key challenges for monarchs and other pollinators that we depend on to support our ecosystems and food supply. It is important to see how agriculture can be part of the solution,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.

“Pollinators are essential to California grown foods like strawberries, grapes and almonds and agricultural production across the country,” said Paul Souza, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. “This report supports voluntary, science-based conservation across the landscape with a variety of partners — from national wildlife refuges and state parks to highways, farms and ranches. We are committed to working with the State of California and local communities to identify innovative opportunities that advance pollinator conservation, including for the iconic monarch butterfly.”

“Caltrans’ engagement in the Collaborative and enrollment in the Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the conservation of monarch butterflies. Caltrans is actively implementing conservation actions that positively impact monarchs and their habitats, ensuring that our efforts contribute to the long-term survival of pollinator species,” said Dina El-Tawansy, Director of the California Department of Transportation.

To read the full report or learn more, visit the California Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative page.

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Media Contacts:
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3848
Hillary Sardinas, CDFW Pollinator Coordinator, (916) 387-5148

Public Invited to Celebrate Salmon, Community at CDFW’s Big Springs Ranch Wildlife Area in Siskiyou County

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 15:54:46 GMT

Canceled Due to Weather: After much deliberation and with disappointment, CDFW and CalTrout have decided to cancel the Oct. 25 event. The quantity of rain predicted in combination with a high wind advisory led to this decision.

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** Joint news release issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Trout **

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and California Trout (CalTrout), joined by several community and conservation partners, invite the public to join in celebrating the fall return of Chinook salmon to the Shasta River in the Klamath Basin.

CDFW’s Big Springs Ranch Wildlife Area in Siskiyou County will host the free community event Saturday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re excited to highlight the return of Chinook salmon to the Klamath Basin as well as the strong conservation and community partnerships that will help safeguard this iconic species into the future,” said Michael Harris, Environmental Program Manager of CDFW’s Klamath Watershed Program.

“This event is about connecting people to the river and the incredible wildlife that depend on it,” said Ada Fowler, Senior Project Manager at CalTrout. “By bringing the community together to experience salmon spawning firsthand, we’re celebrating both the resilience of these fish and the importance of protecting and restoring our shared natural heritage.”

Partnering with CDFW and CalTrout on the day’s family-friendly and educational activities are the Quartz Valley Indian Reservation, the Siskiyou Science Festival, the Scott River Watershed Council, The Nature Conservancy, Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center and the Salmon and Steelhead Coalition (Trout Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, and CalTrout).

Attendees can look forward to:

Guided Chinook salmon viewing along the Shasta River during their spawning season
Educational presentations on the geology of the Shasta Valley and its importance to salmon
Family-friendly activities such as nature journaling hosted by community partners
Opportunities to learn about the ecological significance of salmon in the Klamath Basin

Families, neighbors and community members of all ages are encouraged to attend. For questions about the event, including requests for reasonable accommodation, please reach out to CDFW staff.

Event Details:

When: Saturday, October 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Big Springs Ranch Wildlife Area, 4415 E Louie Rd, Montague, CA 96064
Admission: Free

For more information and directions, visit caltrout.org/events/big-springs-community-day-2025.

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Media Contacts:
Mike Harris, CDFW Northern Region, (530) 410-5334
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858
Kara Glenwright, CalTrout Communications

Nonprofit Organizations Encouraged to Apply for Fundraising Hunting Tags

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:04:12 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites nonprofit organizations to assist with conservation efforts by auctioning special big game tags for the 2026-27 hunting season.

Proceeds from the sale of these tags are returned to CDFW to fund projects for bighorn sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn antelope. Last year’s auctions raised more than $1 million for the conservation and management of big game species. Past projects funded by the sale of these and other hunting tags have included crucial habitat conservation, post-wildfire forest restoration, wildlife population studies and the installation of artificial watering devices to support wildlife during drought conditions.

Up to 18 tags will be reserved for nonprofit organizations to sell or auction. Nonprofit organizations compete through an application process for a chance to auction these special tags, which can only be purchased by members of the public through these auctions. The application process is designed to ensure maximum proceeds are received from the tags to benefit wildlife.

Offering the tags through fundraising banquets and other in-person and online auctions can attract greater participation and overall turnout for the conservation groups awarded the tags, amplifying their own conservation efforts and benefits to California’s big game species.

A call for applications and the required application form are available at CDFW’s Fundraising with Big Game License Tags web page. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on October 20, 2025.

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Media Contacts:
CDFW Wildlife Branch, BigGame@wildlife.ca.gov
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

Wildlife Conservation Board Releases 5-Year Strategic Plan

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:40:13 GMT

Updated Plan Shaped by Public, Tribal and Partner Input Statewide

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) today announced the release of its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan that will guide the Board’s conservation and public access investments over the next five years.

The updated plan builds on WCB’s 2014 Strategic Plan and reflects California’s current conservation priorities, including Pathways to 30x30, Outdoors for All and the Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets (PDF). It emphasizes collaboration with Tribes, community partners and agencies to protect biodiversity, advance climate resilience, expand equitable access to nature and improve organizational effectiveness.

“California’s natural landscapes are changing rapidly, and WCB’s role is more important than ever,” said Jennifer Norris, executive director of WCB. “This plan will help us meet the biodiversity and climate challenges of our time while ensuring all Californians — including future generations — can connect with the state’s incredible natural heritage.”

To shape the plan, WCB hosted public listening sessions across the state in fall 2024, conducted an online survey and held multiple Tribal listening sessions. Input from communities, Tribes and partners directly informed the final framework.

“This Strategic Plan reflects the collective wisdom of communities, Tribes and partners across the state,” added Charlton H. Bonham, chair of WCB and director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “It reaffirms WCB’s commitment to collaboration, science-driven decision making and delivering meaningful benefits for people and wildlife.”

The 2025–2030 Strategic Plan is available at wcb.ca.gov.

About the Wildlife Conservation Board

Established in 1947, the Wildlife Conservation Board protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and the public’s use and enjoyment. WCB works in partnership with Tribes, conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California to safeguard biodiversity and expand access to nature.

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CDFW Seeks Public Comment on Draft Guidelines for Recovery Planning

Fri, 30 May 2025 13:22:43 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking public comment on the draft Guidelines for Recovery Planning, a document intended to guide development of effective recovery plans to recover threatened and endangered species listed under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA; Fish and Game Code section 2079.1).

CDFW has posted the draft Guidelines for Recovery Planning to CDFW’s Recovery Planning web page for public review. CDFW respectfully requests comments be submitted no later than July 31, 2025. Submit written comments to CDFW by email at CESArecovery@wildlife.ca.gov and include “Guidelines for Recovery Planning” in the subject line. Comments may also be submitted by mail to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Branch, Attn: Austin Roy/Recovery Guidelines, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.

During the comment period, CDFW will host a public meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The meeting will be held at 715 P St., Room 201, Sacramento, CA 95811. For those who would like to attend remotely over Zoom, registration for the meeting is available using this link:

https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I4hSqGxeR8GTPoDkLgbt9Q

Following the public comment period, information received will be reviewed and considered during development of the final guidelines. Once approved, the final Guidelines for Recovery Planning will be available on CDFW’s Recovery Planning web page.

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Media Contacts:
Austin Roy, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 768-0564
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714