The Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contracted with the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency (RCHCA) to assemble a team of experts consisting of the Conservation Biology Institute (CBI), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SD Zoo), United States Geological Survey (USGS),  Department of Defense (DoD) and other invested partners, to develop Southern California’s first Rangewide Management and Monitoring Plan for the Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat (SKR).  This Plan, when fully implemented, will facilitate a coordinated, science-informed effort to protect SKR and its habitat. 

BLM, in partnership with the DoD, awarded a $600,000 contract to RCHCA through the Recovery and Sustainment Partnership Initiative. RCHCA partnered with CBI to manage the working group of experts and leveraged their expertise to apply the latest science and technology, and identify solutions to various environmental and management challenges. USFWS provided coordination and support to develop the plan.  RCHCA is also partnering with the SD Zoo to develop genetic research protocols and USGS for data management. 

The SKR Rangewide Management and Monitoring Plan is vitally important to the future of SKR populations and it furthers the region's longstanding mission of conservation, collaboration, education, and coordination.  

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Rangewide SKR Management & Monitoring Plan

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Citation
Spencer, W.D., D. DiPietro, H. Romsos, D. Shier, and R. Chock. 2021. Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Rangewide Management and Monitoring Plan. Unpublished report prepared by the Conservation Biology Institute for Bureau of Land Management and Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency. March 2021