Without the Endangered Species Act, we would not have our regional reserve systems and species after species across the county would be extinct.

Back in 1991, EHL became an early participant in State of California Natural Community Conservation Planning, or NCCP, as a way to reconcile conflicts between the ESA and economic development. While initially controversial among the conservation community, NCCP has initiated ambitious reserve systems in San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties, as well as the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Through these plans, infrastructure and development are also permitted, but the economic aspect has been crucial for the support of local government, whose land use authority underpins plan implementation. EHL has also gone on to work on General Plans, in order to produce better patterns of growth and development. But without the firm backstop of a law that does not allow the option of extinction, the habitat plans would never have been catalyzed. 

As we celebrate the achievements of the Endangered Species Act in saving grey whales and California condors, let’s also remember the “little” species that it has also saved, like our quino checkerspot butterfly and Delhi Sands flower-loving fly, as well as many plants. All these species represent larger communities of life and indeed the ecosystems upon which our own wellbeing rests.

The U.S. military has in many cases implemented a parallel track on its own large landholdings with comprehensive management plans. Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar have been leaders, as this inspiring op-ed published in the Union-Tribune San Diego points out.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise published an opinion piece on the value of the ESA and on the benefits for the quality of life in Riverside County that arise from its two habitat plans (the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan). Authored by EHL Executive Director Dan Silver and Board Member Jane Block, it concluded, “Although our plans have made good progress, they still struggle to find the funds needed to purchase land and still require political will to keep them on track. Let us redouble our efforts to ensure that Riverside County’s precedent-setting habitat plans are successful.”

The ESA is truly something to value and celebrate.