Threatened or Endangered
In 1973 the United States government passed the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent the extinction of fragile species and is considered one of the best tools the nation has for combating extinctions. In fact, according to the World Wildlife Fund, 99% of all species protected under the act have avoided extinction. Under the act, declining plants and animals can be listed as either threatened or endangered. A threatened species is a species that is likely to become extinct in a considerable portion of its range. An endangered species is a species that is on the edge of extinction throught its range. Individuals and organizations can petition to have a species listed but petitions undergo rigorous review. Once listed, federal, state, tribal and local entities coordinate to protect critical habitat and create recovery plans. Listed species are continuously monitored to determine whether the species is recovering. An endangered species can be on its way to recovery and be downgraded to threatened status. Once a species is considered recovered, it is removed from the Endangered Species List.
Below are the current federal and state listing status of several species that fall within the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District:
Fish/Crustaceans
Santa Ana Sucker (Catostomus santaanae) [FT]
Riverside Fairy Shrimp (Streptocephalus woontoni) [FE]
Amphibians
Arroyo Toad (Anaxyrus californicus) [FE]
Western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) [UR]
Birds
Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) [FT]
California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) [UR]
Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) [FE, SE]
Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) [FT]
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) [FE, SE]
Tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) [ST]
Western Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis) [FT, SE]
Mammals
Stephen’s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodymus stephensi) [FE, SE]
San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys merriami parvus) [FE]
Reptiles
Southern rubber boa (Charina bottae umbratica) [UR]
Insects
Quino Checkerspot Butterfly (Euphydryas editha quino) [FE]
Delhi Sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis) [FE]