Threatened and Endangered Species

Endangered Species Act and Redwood National and State Parks

The Endangered Species Act (ESA), passed by Congress in 1973, aims to protect and recover species at risk of extinction and the ecosystems they depend on. This law was enacted in response to growing concerns about the extinction of many native plants and animals across the United States.

ESA Categories and Administration

• Under the ESA, species may be classified as:
  • Endangered: A species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
  • Threatened: A species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.
  • Candidates: Species for which there is enough information to propose them for listing.

The ESA is administered by two regulatory agencies:

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): Responsible for terrestrial and freshwater organisms.
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): Oversees marine wildlife, including whales and anadromous fish such as salmon.

ESA Species in Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National and State Parks receive an official list from these regulatory agencies that identifies endangered, threatened, and candidate species that may be found in the parks. This list includes:

• Plants: 2 species
• Invertebrates: 2 species
• Fish: 6 species
• Reptiles (all sea turtles): 4 species
• Birds: 6 species
• Marine Mammals (Steller sea lion and 6 large whales): 7 species
• Terrestrial Mammals: 1 species (Fisher: Pekania pennanti [hyperlink])

Of the 28 species listed, only the following are regularly found within the parks:

• Beach Layia (Layia carnosa)
• Coho, Chinook Salmon, and Steelhead (Oncorhynchus kisutch, O. tshawytscha, and O. mykiss)
• Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus)
• Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus)
• Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina)
• Steller Sea Lion (Eumatopias jubatus)
• Fisher (Pekania pennanti)

Two species have been extirpated within the parks:

• Tidewater Goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi)
• Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus)

Some species occur sporadically within the parks, such as:

• Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)
• Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Other species, including large mysticete whales, the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), sea turtles, and the Short-Tailed Albatross (Phoebastria albatrus), occur very rarely and typically only when they stray from their normal ranges. Some species are listed because the parks contain potentially suitable habitats, but extensive surveys to confirm their presence have not yet been conducted.

Conservation Efforts in Redwood National and State Parks

The ESA’s ultimate goal is to recover species to a point where they no longer need protection under the law. Redwood National and State Parks contribute to this effort by:

• Protecting Suitable Habitats: Preserving areas essential for the survival of listed species.
• Protecting Individual Animals and Plants: Monitoring and safeguarding species from threats.
• Restoring Degraded Habitats: Enhancing fish and wildlife habitats to support recovery.

By actively participating in these efforts, Redwood National and State Parks play a crucial role in the recovery and conservation of endangered and threatened species.