A quick flick of her wrist and her index finger was motioning me to check my lip.  There was a little blood, but I wasn’t surprised considering over the last two days we had logged 17 hours under the increasingly warming sun.  My lips were cracked but I hadn’t noticed until now.  Lines of dirt accumulated on the teeth of the other workers and as I rolled my tongue across the front of mine I knew I too was blessed with a temporary brownish smile.  As the shoveling came to a rest, I removed my gloves and slapped them against my ranger pants; creating a second dust cloud that drifted away on a slight breeze.  It was an miserable attempt at cleaning off before the sixteen of us made our way back to base.  At 5 o’clock we watched America’s stripes slide down the flagpole while “retreat” resonated from the speakers. We had reached the official end of the duty day, had shown our respect for the flag, and installed 36 artificial burrows in two days on the Umatilla Army Depot in Oregon.

Weapons Storage Bunkers (empty)

It was a whirlwind experience that began a few days before as Heather and I, under the banner of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network, found ourselves exiting the tarmac in Portland and making the 180 mile drive to Hermiston.  As we followed the Columbia River the forests were eventually replaced by grasslands living atop sandy soils.  This is burrowing owl habitat and we were eager to get started restoring historic breeding grounds.

Artificial Burrows - 55 gallon juice drums

By Monday morning a small crowd gathered not too far after admittance through the guarded gates.  Heather and I were joined by representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of British Columbia, the Global Owl Project, and the Umatilla Chemical Depot.  We were all here to help in the re-establishment of breeding burrowing owls on part of the ~20,000 acre government facility.  We were an army of sixteen conservation-minded individuals equipped with shovels and rakes.  According to depot officials, coyotes were trapped in an effort to protect a transplanted herd of pronghorn antelope.  Unfortunately, the trapping process resulted in the loss of the badger population, which was responsible for digging the burrows for the owls. When the badgers disappeared, so too did the burrowing owls.  As is always the case when man interferes with the natural ecosystem, the loss of one species caused the loss of another.

Top of artificial burrow - Bucket removed provides access to chamber

Burrow prior to installation

But thanks to the efforts of David Johnson, Director of the Global Owl Project, and Don Gillis, Natural and Cultural Resources Manager for the Umatilla Chemical Depot, a restoration effort is in place to give migrating burrowing owls a place to rear young when they return to Oregon during breeding season in late April.  To counteract the lack of natural burrows, we installed artificial ones using donated 55 gallon plastic Tree Top juice drums that were cut in half.  Besides creating artificial burrows, a study has been implemented using geo-locators and bands to track both the adults and young.  The idea is to create an area from which young owls can disperse to neighboring areas in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia and combat falling populations.  It’s an effort that I would like to emulate here in California and one of the many reasons we attended this event.

Heather checking band on yearling owl

Banded owl with geo-locator

And over this two day outing I received an incredible amount of information, realized just how great it was to have an opportunity to network with federal officials and other burrowing owl conservationists, and see how lucky I was to have access to a resident population of owls. Together we can turn things around in North America for this species.  By the way, I also found that digging in sandy soil is so much easier than the rocks and clay we routinely contend with here in Northern California.  Oh well…it’s for a good cause after all!

Cover-up!  Yeah, it’s an understatement and it’s more than a strategy of concealment under the classic definition.  The sad thing about the situation is that I’ve witnessed an ACTUAL owl cover up.  Literally. Active burrows that we have been monitoring since February, one of which safeguarded the results of a successful breeding pair, were covered by erosion control fabric.  But after talking with the developer’s Director of Land Development, I think the destruction of burrows was perpetrated at the behest of ignorance, assumptions and a lack of following proper protocol. And that explains the obvious back peddling and misdirection that unfolded during the conversation.  They know they screwed up. I know they screwed.  But proving that owls, eggs, and young were killed is up to the federal wildlife officials who enforce the protection of migratory birds.  And don’t get me started on the immediate attitude I received from an individual in the City’s Planning Department.  Hmmm, I guess we’re not all on board with preserving nationally and internationally protected and declining species.  I’m only giving them one more chance to change my impression.

But what about the owls?  Well it’s a story that began in February 2010 with a sighting report that we received from a concerned neighbor.  I’ve said it before and will say it again, it’s a Bay Area and California issue that is perpetually rearing its ugly head as burrowing owls return to habitat that remains open while construction activities sit idle.  And over the course of 6 months we watched the owls thrive amongst weeds that eventually reached  a height of 7 feet.  It was an incredible sight to see a species that loves short grasses find their way in towering mustard plants; a testament to their high site fidelity and instinct.  But all that was about to change.

Owl living in burrow by sidewalk and tall grass (before mowing in June)

In the approach of the summer months, land owners and developers felt the squeeze of fire suppression codes and regulations in Contra Costa County.  By the end of June the weeds were mowed, the owls were happy and the first offspring were emerging from their burrows.  Their vision was now completely unimpaired as the invasive plants were reduced to stubble.  Owls utilized the streetlights for perches, fire hydrants for standing guard, and their burrows lined the sidewalk as I have seen hundreds of times before.  It is a partially developed neighborhood that was in need of 30 or so homes to complete the scene.  But a soured economy left the previous developer in bankruptcy and the land open for burrowing owl colonization.

Against all economic odds, construction was ready to roll even though nesting burrowing owls were occupying the site.  As a precursor to construction activities and in an effort to abide by city erosion control regulations, the builder jumped the gun and installed a layer of black landscape fabric before a biological consultant stepped foot on the land.  All burrows that were in an approximate 15-20 foot wide strip along the sidewalks were now effectively sealed.  Any owls and young that retreated to these burrows for safety were trapped inside, and any eggs that littered the nest chamber were forcibly abandoned.  A clear violation of federal and state laws.  To keep things family friendly, let’s just say I was irate, I blamed myself for allowing this possible travesty to occur, and it solidified my desire to continue educating the community and bolstering citizen science.

Burrow by streetlight along sidewalk

Fabric covering burrows

An email to the developer, the city, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish & Game was sent that night to ensure the protection of the remaining owls and young.  It was about 9am the following morning when I received a call from the builder’s Director of Land Development.  It was a lengthy conversation in which I tried to impart a little burrowing owl biology and survey procedures prior to beginning construction.  I got nowhere except being told many times that a biologist had visited the site, they had instituted a better form of erosion prevention, owls were seen at another nearby site they owned, there were no breeding pairs or young, no active burrows under the fabric, the tall grasses meant no owls were living here, and the owls onsite right now just flew in  a few weeks ago.  This was damage control at its best and instead of a white flag a consultant’s survey report was being waved in front of my eyes as if it provided exemption from the destruction of a protected raptor.

However, the surprises continued and the survey that was indeed conducted at the site could best be described as poor.  Perhaps the fabric was hiding all the evidence, but more likely it was the paycheck that concealed the proof that burrowing owls had consistently been residing and rearing young here. 

“No juveniles were observed.  None of the owls in the site exhibited territorial behavior typically exhibited with an active natal burrow.  None of the burrows were surrounded by an abundance of feathers, white-wash, or pellets which would indicate long-term occupancy.  Based on time of year (i.e. late July), behavior of the on-site owls, and lack of an abundance of sign around burrows, these owls may have just recently moved into the site.”

“Near-term commencement of model home construction on lots 22 and 23 would be unlikely to adversely affect the on-site owls, due to the spatial separation of the lots from the occupied burrows.”

Survey Report, July 26, 2010

And by the way, I found it funny (in a disturbing way) that during subsequent visits the whitewash had been removed from portions of the sidewalk next to these “non-existent” owl burrows.  Coincidence?  I could go on and on, but as of right now I am waiting for a response from the USFWS agent assigned to look into this matter.   I will also be sending an official letter, copied to the Planning Department, that advises them of the need to conduct proper surveys prior to the installation of such erosion control measures…amongst other things of course.

Many a time I felt like I was donning a badge.  And then there are those instances when I slipped into the role of a wildlife vigilante.  And without going into too many details there were a few times I hovered on the precipice of what could be described as committing minor infractions for the sake of protecting an endangered species.  However, in all circumstances they were based on a moral obligation.

But it wasn’t all that long ago that I found myself filling a role that has been a television fad for a number of years.  I wasn’t looking to become a crime scene investigator; it just happened.  And unfortunately this crime is not one that will make the local blotter. The town is Brentwood, the season is summer and the time is two hours before sunset…

I unholstered my weapon, checked the clip, and mirrored these actions with an easily concealed backup.  My partner, Heather, did the same.  Our Canons were ready to fire as was our point and shoot Olympus.  We were headed out on patrol and eager to check the status of 3 burrowing owl sites, two of which are in danger of being decimated by upcoming construction.  With a colony potentially 20 birds strong, we decided to hit this suburban habitat first.  As we turned the corner and set forth upon the straightaway at 25 miles per hour, everything was in order.  Tractors were absent.

I scanned from left to right as I searched for burrowing owls.  Although it was not a heavily traveled thoroughfare, I continued to catch glimpses of the paved street in front of me to ensure a lack of oncoming traffic.  As I panned right I expected to see a familiar face adorned with bright lemon eyes and a body whose feathers have been faded by the rays of the sun.  He was old faithful.  This male had found his sweet spot 6 feet off the sidewalk.  It was atop a small slope that provided the perfect vantage point for standing watch and protecting its nesting mate.  The day in and day out of sentry duty in combination with the summer sun had lightened his overall appearance.  A minor and temporary tradeoff considering the potential of adding young to a dwindling population.

Owl 2 weeks prior to death

But in the blink of an eye I had simultaneously turned the steering wheel towards the curb, slammed on the brakes, and exited the vehicle.  The discolored feathers attached to the partially remaining body twitched in the breeze while those that escaped highlighted the direction of the wind.  The owl was resting on the exact spot that he had stood so vigilantly before.  A predator may have ravaged the site, but it certainly did not leave the fresh tire tracks.  Evidence was pointing to construction activities.

As we kneeled next to owl, Heather and I noted the addition of newly piled rocks and dirt adjacent of the crime.  A lone burrowing owl, perhaps the deceased’s counterpart, watched our movements.  We investigated the burrow for the female and signs of tampering, but we only found evidence of nature and instinct at work.  At least 15 frogs retrieved from a nearby wetland were decorating the burrow’s entrance.  As Heather maintained visual contact with the observant owl and photographed the recent construction activities, I crossed the street for a different perspective and to inspect some satellite burrows.  We were becoming convinced that the culprits were those responsible for developing the land.  It wasn’t an act I thought was done purposefully, but it was indeed negligence since there is to be no action during breeding season.  The owl paid the price for humans not following the rules.  But wait, I was wrong!

Lots of frogs at burrow entrance

In the street, equidistant from the primary burrow on the right and the secondary burrows on the left, was a set of new facts.  A small stain, a few feathers, and a faint drag mark that pointed to the slope on the hill, that pointed to the body, were waiting to be discovered.  It’s a terrible story that was begging to be told.  As if watching a virtual, semi-transparent replay staged for television audiences, I could see the male owl take flight from the slope.  And in traditional burrowing owl fashion, it’s flight path to the satellite burrow was marked by a dip; a dip that reached its lowest point directly over the street. 

Unfortunately the owl and a speeding car met each other in space and time, and was subsequently (and coincidentally) moved by a scavenger to the same place it routinely stood watch. It’s a danger that plagues wildlife every day, a reminder not to jump to conclusions, and an accident that I hope to minimize in the future by posting caution signs when colonies nest in proximity to streets.  CASE CLOSED!

Blades of grass carpet areas off the same beaten path, a green heron fishes for prey along a familiar stretch of Alhambra Creek, a peddler’s fair again echoes in the background, and the calendar is once more honoring Caesar Augustus.  At first it’s a semblance of déjà vu, but in reality the seasons have made a full rotation and I find myself amongst a crowd of familiar faces.  Met with smiles, I embark upon a little reminiscing, networking, updating and greeting; the topic is still burrowing owls but significant strides have been made since the year was nine. 

I’m still just your neighbor, your friend, and that guy looking to protect burrowing owls.  But the circle encompassing my passions has grown from a local husband and wife project to something a little more in depth as we have connected with likeminded individuals.  As happened those many months before, we accepted an invitation to the Martinez Beaver Festival, but this time we are more than curious bystanders seeking information and advice from those already in the wildlife conservation mix.  As it turns out, we have joined the ranks and become purveyors of wildlife information. It seems a full circle has been reached, but it is merely a milestone along a lengthy path. The great thing about a circle is that upon its completion one is always poised to begin yet another journey.  Or continue with one.

It was a day designed to celebrate the contribution of beavers towards maintaining and creating ecosystems.  A day to celebrate the success of Worth A Dam’s efforts to save a misunderstood species.  It may have been the third in an annual event, but it was a day of firsts for the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network.  Our project had just been adopted by Earth Island Institute and we were ready to share our information and booth with the world…well, the Bay Area at any rate.  The crowds were steady and the interest high.  And before I knew it 5 hours had disappeared and I had not even left the confines of my 10×10 space.  I may have missed much of the festivities and failed to visit all the other booths and groups, but I did not miss out on the opportunity to share the story about a little owl that defies traditional owl logic (i.e. nocturnal tree dwellers) and has managed to fade from common knowledge just as it has been fading from our landscapes in California.

But the weekend action was not limited to those on the coastal side of the bridges.  Larry Jordan, Burrowing Owl Conservation Network’s Habitat Manager and author of The Birder’s Report, had an opportunity to visit a colony residing at the Wildhorse Gold Club in Davis, California.  I could attempt to describe the scene, but justice could never be found in words as his photos and video show the success of creative planning and suburban habitat protection.  It’s a practice that we hope becomes the status quo for California’s burrowing owls.

There’s definitely a lot of work to do but fortunately for us there are a lot of supporters willing to lend a hand and help promote a little burrowing owl conservation.  I’m grateful to have all of you traveling with me because as I see it moving in circles is not always a bad thing; especially when one is striving to complete a full circle and reunite burrowing owl populations with stability.

Hanging in a blanket of blackened space is a great blue earthen ball
that is swelling with oceans;
that is sprouting mountains that break the clouds;
that is watching dunes roll across deserts a grain at a time;
that is fracturing the floor with saplings soon to become the latest forests;
that is teeming with life.

If you look closely you’ll realize it is an “X” in the map of our universe.  I glanced at the legend and I think you should too.  It marks the spot.

I am here.
“You are here.”

On Saturday, July 24th, the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network has officially been given an opportunity to make its mark.  The “X” falls on Earth Island Institute as the Board of Directors approved the adoption of my burrowing owl project…our burrowing owl project.  And I think it is a great fit that will allow us to spread our wings in the name of conservation.

 “For 25 years, Earth Island Institute has been a hub for grassroots campaigns dedicated to conserving, preserving, and restoring the ecosystems on which our civilization depends.

Our Project Support program acts as an incubator for start-up environmental projects, giving crucial assistance to groups and individuals with new ideas for promoting ecological sustainability. Since our founding, we have provided fiscal sponsorship to more than 100 projects around the globe.”  Earth Island Institute

Turning back to the analogy, it might seem complex, but the manual is pretty simple.  We’ve just made things a bit complicated over time. We’ve added sticky notes that say “I owe you,” scribbled on it, fixed tears with duct tape instead of transparent adhesives, and made it difficult for subsequent generations to clearly see the instructions.  But through all the clutter I can still distinguish the text and I hope you can too.

Let’s continue to work together, put burrowing owls on the map, and Unite our Communities for Wildlife and Habitat Preservation.  I’m looking forward to it!

Sincerely,

Scott

There’s an eviction looming on the horizon, but the residents don’t see the signs.  An earthmover and bulldozer sit temporarily idle on a newly paved road.  Homes are in various stages of development a block away.  A sales center adorned with colorful flags and signs branded by the company’s name have settled on a gravel laden lot.  There is a hodgepodge of empty parcels including undisturbed habitat, farmland in the midst of returning to its pre-agricultural state, land that had been graded just prior to the housing crisis, and property in which streets have been etched into the surface but are yet to be installed.  A streetlight flashes on and off while waiting to be programmed to control future traffic.  One, two, three, ten and perhaps more than twenty burrowing owls perch along fresh sidewalks, rest atop water pipes, stand guard on a chain-linked fences, and occupy burrows peppered throughout the impending human sprawl.

There’s evidence that evictions have been here before, which has now been confiscated as spoils of war.  Obviously the attempt at burrowing owl eradication did not take.  Obviously the consultants failed to adhere to an eviction policy designed to prevent owls from returning. Obviously the owls will have to undergo the trauma and danger of yet another removal. And as I traversed the landscape I realized I had been here before.  The location is different, but the situation is the same.  It’s burrowing owl eviction déjà vu and I don’t like what I’m seeing.

However, there is a silver lining so to speak.  It’s not much but I have breeding season on my (our) side for the moment.  It’s better than nothing; it’s better than the status quo that has been allowed to proceed unfettered for years in California.  The good news is that the word is getting out and the plight of burrowing owls is spreading.  People are taking notice and an interest by providing tips and sighting reports.  And that’s exactly what we need to ensure future protections.

Unfortunately future protections will not save these owls so I am now looking for something a little more immediate.  I crave long-term solutions, but will settle for short-term action if it means these neighboring raptors will not become a statistic in the Bay Area’s recent 28% burrowing owl population decline.  So a visit to the Planning Department to review the Environmental Impact Reports was warranted.  If only it contained the answer to the burgeoning burrowing owl issue that is plaguing Contra Costa County.  Instead I stumbled upon Department of Fish & Game inconsistencies that make me wonder if there is a lack of policy understanding within the agency, if there is an attempt at disseminating propaganda, if consultants are completely misinformed, or if it is simply a little bit of everything designed to mislead the public and help developers instead of working for species conservation.  Whatever the reason it is completely unacceptable and it solidifies my resolve to make sweeping conservation changes in this state.

But while I formulate my plan of action, nature moves forward as intended.  A lone kestrel swoops down at a burrowing owl standing guard in front of its burrow.  A black-tailed jackrabbit explodes from the brush and disappears within seconds.  California ground squirrels dart for cover and sound the alarm as I sidestep growing tumbleweeds.  A burrowing owl crouches in an effort to blend with the dirt and weeds, and a plastic bag rolls across the site; reminding me that these owls are surrounded by urbanization and yet another illustration of habitat lost.

Yesterday I voiced some concerns about the use of conservation banks as a means of mitigation for lost burrowing owl habitat, and I didn’t really expect to revisit the topic so soon.  But since I received a call back from a conservation biologist with Wildlands Inc. this morning I thought it pertinent to the discussion.  And from my conversation it sounds as though the biologist shares some of my sentiments that conservation and mitigation banks are useful tools but not a complete solution.  Banks like the Haera Conservation Bank should be used in conjunction with other conservation techniques to ensure that suitable habitat remains available for species such as burrowing owls.  And knowing full well that development is not going to cease, it is important that we do not become reliant upon conservation banks as a means to bring projects to a “less than significant impact.” 

And that’s exactly why my original concerns still stand and I think are worthy of exploration and consideration:

But, that does not mean wildlife agencies should readily dismiss onsite mitigation where owls are already living in favor of having developers purchase credits in a mitigation bank that is 20, 30 or 50 miles or more away.  Especially when what is needed is the preservation of more habitat within the confines of suburbia and city limits.

Do mitigation and conservation banks enable unbridled development?  Perhaps they do.  It seems to be hovering on the brink of a vicious circle as developments are given the green light because mitigation credits have been purchased offsite.  The good news is that preservation of habitat has been secured in perpetuity, but the bad news is that the city or county in which the development occurred has lost habitat in perpetuity (i.e. Antioch).  And does that really mean we are bringing a project/development to a point where its impact is “less than significant?” 

I see more questions than firm answers at this point, but as habitat fragmentation continues to proliferate and burrowing owls continue to decline we definitely need to address the methods by which habitat is conserved.  In regards to the Haera Conservation Bank, I did receive some additional information on this particular site.  According to the biologist, surveys conducted in 2008 resulted in a total of 41 burrowing owl sightings over the year (that’s a culmination of sightings over multiple surveys and not a population count).  Additionally, it does appear wind turbines are located on a portion of the conservation bank and is an interesting factor considering public concerns as addressed in Mitigation Banks: Buying Burrowing Owls on Credit.

I am quite impressed that my phone call to Wildlands, Inc. was returned so quickly and that a conservation biologist was open to discussing the bank, answering further questions, and putting me on a list to tag along on a site visit or burrowing owl survey. And I’m am definitely looking forward to potentially getting an official tour of the Haera Conservation Bank…and continuing efforts for preserving habitat adjacent to areas where habitat was actually lost.

On a Memorial Day whim my wife and I loaded up the dogs and set out to find the elusive Haera Conservation Bank.  It is something I have been meaning to do for quite a while now, and as we had bypassed participation in all common holiday activities the afternoon was open for exploration.   I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but after finishing some light reading that included an addendum to an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) finalized in January 2009, I became curious about this type of conservation solution for burrowing owls.  And let’s just say I’m not sold on the idea of mitigation banks for reasons (examples) that will unfold shortly.

But before we go on, maybe it is wise to touch on the notion of mitigation, which in short is an ecological restoration remedy.  The complete idea being that things are put back as they were before an incident occurred.  So with burrowing owls and other protected species that are displaced by development, the idea is to provide suitable replacement habitat for that which was lost. 

Now returning to the story, I discovered that in another instance of a yet to be started community in Antioch, CA, burrowing owls were evicted from their habitat in 2005.  The January 2009 EIR indicated that the eviction of these burrowing owls from their homes was to be ‘mitigated’ by the purchase of credits in a mitigation bank called the Haera Conservation Bank.  And after receiving numerous reports that such banks and habitats for burrowing owls are not always suitably maintained or contain owls, I thought a spur of the moment visit would be worthwhile.

And upon arrival I was actually surprised.  Firstly, I was taken aback to find that mitigation for burrowing owls evicted in the city of Antioch in Contra Costa County was not actually located in the same or adjacent cities nor in the same county for that matter.  The Haera Conservation Bank is situated approximately 20 miles from their former habitat and is located in Alameda County.  Thus, the loss of habitat in Antioch and Contra Costa County is not actually being replaced but simply lost as the sprawl continues to grow.  It’s another chapter in the same old story, yet we have the nerve to scratch our heads in wonderment when burrowing owls disappear.  Aren’t we forgetting the high site fidelity of this species? 

Well, I opened up the topic by indicating our destination was elusive for a reason.  I have yet to precisely pinpoint the bank’s boundaries as it seems to be a semi-guarded secret as far as finding the information quickly on the web.  I am sure with some more digging and phone calls I can identify the exact coordinates, but for now I have an approximate location.  With that said, my second surprise came as  the conservation bank is nestled amongst a wind farm.  And if you are not familiar with this controversy,  it has been a point of contention for quite a while and has been the subject of lawsuit (An action was brought by environmental advocates who alleged that the owners and operators of wind turbine electric generators were killing and injuring raptors and other birds).  According to a KQED documentary, up to 400 burrowing owls are killed each year as a result of wind turbines in the Altamont Pass (Thanks for the video link Janice!).  So is a conservation bank in close proximity to wind turbines really suitable? 

Besides the fact that the conservation bank was a minimum 20 miles from the evicted owls and was adjacent to wind turbines, I am happy to report that the landscape was actually comprised of short grasses and teeming with ground squirrels.  This was by far a much better scenario in terms of flora and fauna than other designated burrowing owl habitats I have come across… and I guess we have the grazing cattle to thank for the maintenance.  But I am left with a nagging question that I think we all know the answer to:  Are mitigation banks designed to service and protect the species in question or are they designed to service developers and lead agencies trying to circumnavigate paperwork and bring projects to a level acceptable under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)?

However, that does not mean I do not understand that mitigation banks may not serve a purpose in preserving large swaths of land free of fragmentation.  I see it and it is quite necessary as habitat fragmentation is a huge problem.  But, that does not mean wildlife agencies should readily dismiss onsite mitigation where owls are already living in favor of having developers purchase credits in a mitigation bank that is 20, 30 or 50 miles or more away.  Especially when what is needed is the preservation of more habitat within the confines of suburbia and city limits.  Otherwise we will undoubtedly find ourselves reminiscing about the days when those little burrowing owls were our neighbors.

As an FYI, prior to setting off  I rounded up a little information on this site and earlier this morning I placed a call to the point of contact for Haera in the hopes of retrieving some general details (i.e. number of burrowing owls present, etc.).  Well, I am waiting for a call back in regards to my voicemail, but here are a few details:

“Mitigation banks are large agency-approved properties where wetlands are restored and preserved to provide mitigation for wetland impacts in surrounding areas. Conservation banks for endangered species are wildlife areas that are preserved, managed, and in some cases, restored to protect specific at-risk species.” Wildlands, Inc.

“This bank [Haera Conservation Bank] is approved to sell San Joaquin kit fox credits. It is also approved to sell State of California Dept. of Fish & Game kit fox and burrowing owl credits.  Total Acres: 299 Counties: Portions of Contra Costa, Alameda, San Joaquin and Stanislaus.”  USFWS