Two cactus wrens in a natural habitat; one sits perched on a prickly pear cactus displaying its speckled brown wings, while the other approaches in mid-flight carrying nesting material in its beak.

Sensitive Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) work together to conserve, protect, restore, and enhance species that are endangered, threatened, or candidates for listing—along with the habitats they depend on. These efforts are guided by the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

 

Through these programs, USFWS and CDFW safeguard special-status species using tools such as:

      • Monitoring and assessment
      • Conservation and recovery planning
      • Scientific research and permitting
      • Species and habitat management
      • Regulatory protections
      • Public outreach and education
A northern harrier hawk with mottled brown and cream plumage sits perched on a dense tangle of bare, gray branches, looking off to the right.
A bright yellow warbler bird with faint reddish chest streaks sits perched on a tree branch with green budding leaves against a soft green background.
A dark brown ibis bird with iridescent wing feathers standing in a grassy field.
Photo Credits: Northern Harrier, Lynn Scarlett, Public Domain, Yellow Warbler, Courtney Celley/USFWS, Public Domain, White-faced Ibis, Tom Koerner/USFWS, Public Domain

OC Public Works’ Role in Conservation

When OC Public Works undertakes Capital Improvement or Maintenance projects that may affect natural resources—especially habitats supporting special-status plants and wildlife—we work closely with USFWS and CDFW to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts.

Understanding Species Status

A small brown and white streaked sparrow with a hint of yellow near its eye, perched among low coastal shrubs.

Endangered Species

A native species in serious danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range due to factors such as habitat loss, overexploitation, predation, or disease.

(FE – Federally Endangered | SE – State Endangered)
A hawk with brown, white, and rufous feathers perched on a bare wooden branch against a clear blue sky.

Threatened Species

A species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without special protection and management efforts.

(FT – Federally Threatened | ST – State Threatened)
A brown and white speckled bird perched among the sharp spines of a green cholla cactus.

Species of Special Concern (SSC)

Native species experiencing significant population declines or range reductions, or those with naturally small populations at high risk.

(Designation: SSC – California Species of Special Concern)
A close-up macro shot of a bright yellow wildflower blooming on a stem with fine, spiky green leaves.

California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1

Plants that are rare throughout their range, often endemic to California, and seriously threatened (over 80% of occurrences at risk).

(Tracked by: California Native Plant Society)
Photo Credits: Belding savannah sparrow at Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Rinus Baak/USFWS, Public Domain, Swainson’s hawk, Patrick Myers/NPS, Public Domain, Cactus Wren, Brent Myers, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0, Southern Tarplant, Hemizonia minthornii 3.jpg, Stan Shebs via Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 3.0

Over the past 30 years, OC Public Works has restored and protected more than 400 acres of native habitat, supporting 25 special-status species. This interactive map highlights 15 species with critical designations (such as threatened or endangered) and the mitigation sites where they have been observed. The remaining species are considered “watch list species” or birds of conservation concern.