Science Institute News Recent accomplishments of CDFW's scientific community Rare coastal San Mateo County plant is in dire straits May 18, 2020 in Science Spotlight The world is closing in on coast yellow leptosiphon. The endangered plant exists in only one known location on earth — an 1,800 square foot plot on Vallemar Bluff in Moss Beach, about 20 miles south of San Francisco. The low-growing annual from the Phlox family features bright yellow flowers with fused petals and typically blooms in April and May. Tagged With: California Endangered Species Act, Cherilyn Burton, cut leaf plantain, endangered plant, Erosion, fertilizers, fused petals, hare barley, iceplant, long-term seed storage, microclimate, non-native slugs, pesticides, Phlox family, protected species, rough cat’s ear, San Francisco, San Mateo County, urban development, Vallemar Bluff in Moss Beach, yellow leptosiphon Counting Mountain Lions in California’s Back Country May 12, 2020 in Science Spotlight CDFW wildlife biologist Justin Dellinger has a most unusual job -- since 2015, he’s been capturing and collaring mountain lions in California’s back country. Justin aims to achieve something unique, which is the first-of-its-kind comprehensive population assessment of California’s mountain lions. Tagged With: biological samples, cameras, CDFW’s lion management plan, collaring mountain lions, comprehensive population assessment, houndsman, human encroachment, Justin Dellinger, mountain lion population, setting traps, tranquilize the lion CDFW working to improve negative effects of non-consumptive recreation on conservation May 8, 2020 in Science Spotlight Editor’s Note: As we publish this article, California, the nation, and the whole world are gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic. To slow its spread and not overwhelm healthcare resources, distancing and stay-at-home orders have led to the delay of trout openers and other fishing events, and closure of parks, reserves and many other publicly accessible facilities. Stories are beginning to emerge of increased wildlife presence in park and reserve areas that are normally filled with people. We look forward to the end of the pandemic and its horrible devastation will be over very soon but we know it will be some time before we realize a return to “normal.” We hope to gain from this emergency more information on wildlife’s response to fewer visitors – data that may be able to help us improve our management of parks and reserves in a way that protects wildlife and their habitat while also providing reasonable recreation experiences. In the meantime, stay well, and stay home to save lives. Tagged With: bobcats, California, Carlsbad Highlands Ecological Reserve, CDFW’s Habitat Conservation Planning Branch, elk, endangermen, environmental stewardship, federal lands, gray fox, illegal trails, mountain bikers, mule deer, Natural Community Conservation Planning, non-consumptive recreation, racoons, reptile species, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. states, vulnerable species, Yolo Bypass Wildlife
Subscribe to receive Science Institute news by email. Email Subscribe Recent Posts New Salmon Habitat Created Along the Sacramento River Near AndersonJanuary 11, 2021Restoring Habitat at Southern California’s Salton SeaJanuary 6, 2021New Issue of CDFW Scientific Journal Focuses on WildfireJanuary 4, 2021Spotlight: Kokanee Salmon Egg Collection from Stampede ReservoirDecember 14, 2020New Issue of CDFW’s Scientific Journal Reviews Environmental Impacts of Cannabis CultivationOctober 30, 2020Read More Archives 2021January (3) 2020January (1) February (1) March (2) April (1) May (3) June (3) July (4) August (3) September (2) October (3) November (1) December (1) 2019January (2) February (3) March (4) April (4) May (2) June (2) July (2) August (1) September (1) October (1) December (1) 2018January (5) February (4) March (3) April (5) May (4) June (2) July (5) August (3) September (4) October (4) November (1) December (2) 2017February (2) March (3) April (4) May (5) June (3) July (3) August (5) September (4) October (4) November (4) December (3) Mammals Birds Reptiles and Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Plants Ecosystems Pollution and Water Quality Climate and Renewable Energy