This event has completed.

1/14/2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST

The western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is an iconic California species that has long been the subject of conservation efforts at the state and local level. The primary threat to the species is shrinking habitat – tied both to continued development, changes in agricultural practices, decline of ground squirrel populations, pesticide poisoning and predation. The burrowing owl was formerly designated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as a state Species of Special Concern, warranting consideration during CEQA environmental review. On October 10 2024, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to designate the burrowing owl as a Candidate for listing as endangered or threatened under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). With this designation, burrowing owl is offered the same protection as other species protected under the CESA such that if “take” of the species is anticipated, an Incidental Take Permit pursuant to California Fish and Game Code would be required. In this presentation, Marisa Flores and Art Popp will provide a profile of the species and it’s ecology, an explanation of how the species became a Candidate species, protections offered candidate species, and the implications of this new status.

 

WHEN:	Tuesday, January 14, 2025 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
WHERE:	Zoom Webinar *Zoom link will be provided via email closer to the presentation date; please keep an eye on your Spam folder*
REGISTRATION:	Please register at the following link: https://www.memberleap.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=CAE4&evid=43259701   1.0 CM credit available!
QUESTIONS:	E-mail Oscar Escobar (oscar.escobar@mbakerintl.com) or Alex Garber (alex@epdsolutions.com), OCAEP Co-Vice Presidents of Programs

 
Art Popp has 28 years of experience as a biologist, including 15 years in southern California, as a field investigator, biological resource lead, and natural resources technical manager. His experience in the consulting field has included residential, commercial, industrial, utility, transportation, and renewable resource developments throughout California, with a focus on supporting environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act and federal National Environmental Policy Act, as well as supporting compliance with the federal and State Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, California Fish and Game Code, and the various regional and local jurisdictional overlays that require consideration during environmental review.
 
Marisa Flores has 20 years of experience as a biologist in southern California focused on special-status wildlife species. During that time, she has served as a field biologist, project manager, biological resources lead, and natural resources technical manager. She specializes in helping her clients with implementation of the Western Riverside County and Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans, as well as with the federal and State Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, and California Fish and Game Code. Ms. Flores has prepared numerous biological technical reports, natural environment studies, and biological sections for California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act documents. She also provides third party peer review of biological documents. Ms. Flores also trains staff in field methods and has prepared training resources for her clients.