U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Pacific Region 

Species Recovery

in the 

Pacific Region

2009

On-the-Ground 

Actions
2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region

Endangered Species Recovery Program

Fiscal Year 2009

Message from the Assistant Regional Director

Recovery of threatened, endangered, and other at-risk species lies at the very heart of the 

mission of the Ecological Services Program in the Pacific Region. At the center of our 

recovery efforts is the myriad of on-the-ground conservation activities that we implement 

with the assistance of numerous dedicated partners. These on-the-ground actions directly 

contribute to the recovery of listed species and conservation of our nation’s diverse natural 

resources.

From the high desert of southwest Idaho, where we are working to expand partnerships 

with private landowners to conserve the Columbia spotted frog, to cold-water streams 

throughout the Pacific Northwest where we are removing barriers to fish passage to 

increase habitat availability for bull trout and salmon, to coastal wetlands on the island 

of Kauai, where we are working to recover the endemic Hawaiian duck, to the Mariana 

Islands where we are increasing education and outreach efforts to benefit the Mariana 

fruit bat, our staff collaborate with a broad community of Federal, State, county, tribal, 

academic, and non-governmental organizations and individuals to identify threats to rare 

species and to provide technical and financial assistance to reduce these threats. 

This report highlights a select group of the more than 140 on-the-ground projects that we 

funded during fiscal year 2009. In total, more than $3.7 million was spent by field offices 

for on-the-ground projects throughout the Pacific Region. These projects emphasize 

the richness of the resources held in trust by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well 

as the diversity of approaches that we take to ensure their survival and recovery. Our 

conservation work continues – and we will share more of our challenges and successes 

with you in the coming years. 

Terry Rabot

Assistant Regional Director
Endangered Species Recovery Program 2009 Annual Report 3

Contents

Executive Summary.......................................................................... 4

Geographic Accomplishments

Hawaii......................................................................................... 6

Idaho........................................................................................... 9

Oregon........................................................................................12

Washington.................................................................................15

USFWS Mission

“Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, 

wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing 

benefit of the American people.”

Front Cover Photo: Volunteers planting native species at the Auwahi Dryland Forest on the island of 

Maui. Photo courtesy of the Maui Restoration Group.

Inside Spread: Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, island of Kauai. Photo courtesy of Adonia Henry. 
4 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region

Executive Summary

About the Pacific Region

The Pacific Region of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

encompasses an extraordinary diversity of ecosystems, 

ranging from tropical forests and coral reefs at Palmyra Atoll 

National Wildlife Refuge, to old-growth rainforests west of 

the Cascades in Oregon and Washington, to remote coastal 

and Pacific islands teaming with millions of seabirds, to 

glacial lakes and streams in Washington's Northern Cascades, 

to arid shrub-steppe habitat in southern Idaho. 

These ecosystems support over 400 threatened and 

endangered species, many of which occur nowhere else on 

Earth. 

The Region's land ownership patterns are equally diverse 

and range from the largest contiguous wilderness area in 

the lower 48 States, the Frank Church-River of No Return 

Wilderness, to the unique land tenure systems in the Pacific 

Island territories, to other important areas of biological 

diversity, such as Oregon’s Willamette Valley, with 96% 

private ownership.

The Region includes the States of Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and 

Washington and Pacific island Territories and U.S. affiliated 

States. This includes the Territories of American Samoa and 

Guam; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; 

and the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of 

Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the 

Republic of Palau, all of which have entered into Compacts of 

Free Association with the United States. 

These states and territories encompass over 158 million acres 

of land, 4.9 million square miles of ocean, and span 5 time 

zones and the International Date Line.

The species and ecosystems in 

the Pacific Region are confronted 

with multiple threats and diverse 

conservation needs. Therefore, 

our recovery efforts are tailored 

to specific ecosystems or species, 

from landscape-scale recovery 

planning for grizzly bears, bull 

trout, and spotted owls, to site 

specific conservation actions to 

protect endangered springsnails 

and desert fish in the Columbia 

Basin, to propagation and planting 

of rare plants in the Pacific Islands. 

By matching recovery actions 

to specific threats we are able 

to accomplish our conservation 

mission more efficiently and 

effectively. 

We in the Pacific Region recognize that the residents of 

diverse landscapes perceive, value, and manage their natural 

resources in ways unique to their respective regions and 

cultures. Our mission is therefore best accomplished by 

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis). Photo courtesy of C. Servheen, 

USFWS.

Rose Atoll. USFWS photo.

Propagation of Mauna Loa 

silversword (Argyroxiphium 

kauense). Photo courtesy of the 

Silversword Foundation.

Pacific Islands
Endangered Species Recovery Program 2009 Annual Report 5

working with our partners - agricultural and natural resource 

dependent communities, rural and urban landowners, 

Native American tribal governments and indigenous island 

communities, watershed councils, coral reef advisory groups, 

universities, land trusts, State and Federal agencies, and many 

others. 

Through these partnerships we strive to serve as conservation 

problem-solvers, developing and implementing collaborative 

species and habitat recovery strategies in fulfillment of 

the Endangered Species Act goal “to provide a means 

whereby the ecosystems upon which 

endangered species and threatened 

species depend may be conserved, 

to provide a program for the 

conservation of such endangered 

species and threatened species, 

and to take such steps as may be 

appropriate to achieve the purposes of 

international treaties and conventions 

regarding species conservation.”

Executive Summary

Recovery Funding

Fish and Wildlife Offices

2009 On-the-Ground Projects

Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office

Honolulu, Hawaii

http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/

Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office

Boise, Idaho

http://www.fws.gov/idaho/

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office

Portland, Oregon

http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/

Washington Fish and Wildlife Office

Lacey, Washington

http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/

Pacific Islands At-Risk Species*

Endangered ................................367

Threatened ...................................13

Proposed ......................................50

Candidate ..................................... 80

TOTAL .......................................510

Idaho At-Risk Species*

Endangered .................................. 7

Threatened ...................................12

Proposed ...................................... 0

Candidate ..................................... 5

TOTAL .........................................24

Oregon At-Risk Species*

Endangered ..................................27

Threatened ..................................35

Proposed ...................................... 0

Candidate ..................................... 11

TOTAL .........................................73

Washington At-Risk Species*

Endangered ..................................17

Threatened ...................................30

Proposed ...................................... 3

Candidate ..................................... 12

TOTAL .........................................62

*Numbers current as of March 2010.

$-

$250,000 

$500,000 

$750,000 

$1,000,000 

$1,250,000 

$1,500,000 

Hawaii Idaho Oregon Washington

Christ’s Indian paintbrush (Castilleja christii) habitat. USFWS photo.

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus 

leucocephalus). USFWS photo.
6 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region
Endangered Species Recovery Program 2009 Annual Report 7

Applied Research for Recovery of Hawaiian Ducks

The Hawaiian duck (Anas wyvilliana), endemic to the 

Hawaiian Islands, is threatened by habitat loss and 

degradation, predation by introduced mammals, and 

hybridization with introduced feral mallards. This applied 

research project will answer key questions about Hawaiian 

ducks to benefit recovery actions and set the stage for a larger 

project on the biology and population demographics of the 

species. The main objectives of this project are to establish 

trapping techniques, radio transmitter attachment methods, 

and tracking protocols to further study daily and seasonal 

movements, habitat use, and population demographics. 

Hawaiian ducks and Hawaiian duck-mallard hybrids will 

be captured and banded to initiate data collection on daily, 

seasonal, and regional movement patterns. This project 

will also field test the recently-developed identification key 

for Hawaiian ducks and Hawaiian duck-mallard hybrids 

to determine the prevalence of hybrids at Hanalei National 

Wildlife Refuge.

USFWS Contact: Annie Marshall

Hawaiian duck (Anas wyvilliana). Photo © Jim Denny.

Propagation and Reintroduction

of Endangered Lobeliads

The purpose of this project is to collect, propagate, and 

reintroduce six endangered species of plants into the wild. 

Clermontia peleana, Clermontia pyrularia, Clermontia 

lindseyana, Cyanea shipmanii, Cyanea stictophylla, and 

Cyanea hamatiflora ssp. carlsonii all have very small remnant 

natural populations and are imminently threatened with 

extinction by a combination of deterministic and stochastic 

factors. This project will reduce the threat of extinction 

for these species, all of which have less than 50 individuals 

remaining in the wild. The Volcano Rare Plant Facility 

will propagate endangered plants for reintroduction into 

suitable protected and managed habitat on the island of 

Hawaii. Some species will be maintained in small enclosures 

of suitable habitat as a short- to mid-term method of 

maintaining the species’ genetic integrity inter-situ before 

eventual reintroduction at large-scale habitat protection and 

restoration sites.

USFWS Contact: Marie Bruegmann

Cyanea stictophylla at the South Kona Forest Reserve. 

Photo courtesy of the State of Hawaii DLNR DOFAW.

Dry Forest Restoration on Maui

Two projects on the island of Maui will protect and restore 

nearly 2,000 acres of native dry forest habitats. Deer-proof 

fencing will be constructed at Kanaio Natural Area Reserve 

and adjacent state and private lands to protect 1,700 acres 

of dry forest habitat from feral and domestic ungulates. The 

project will benefit recovery of 12 species of listed plants 

and Blackburn’s sphinx moth (Manduca blackburni). The 

objectives of the second dry forest restoration project, 

Auwahi III, include removing invasive, non-native plants and 

planting native dryland species within 190 acres of habitat 

previously fenced to exclude ungulates. Habitat restoration 

at Auwahi III will connect two areas of previously restored 

habitat. The Auwahi Dryland Forest protects a significant 

portion of the known habitat for nine endangered species 

and two candidate species.

USFWS Contact: Jennifer Higashino

Volunteers working to restore Auwahi Dryland 

Rorest (above), photo courtesy of the Maui 

Restoration Group. Dubautia linearis at Kanaio 

Natural Area Reserve (left), photo courtesy of 

Forest and Kim Starr. Blackburn’s sphinx moth 

(Manduca blackburni; top right), USFWS photo.
8 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region

Monitoring Protocol for Laysan Ducks

The goal of this project is to develop a statistically valid 

population monitoring protocol for Laysan ducks (Anas 

laysanensis) at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. 

Results from pilot surveys will be used to develop 

recommendations for field methods to monitor the status, 

abundance, and population trend of Laysan ducks. In 

addition, resight histories and detection probabilities 

will provide a population size estimate for Midway Atoll. 

The USGS Biological Resources Discipline will provide 

long-term monitoring recommendations for Midway 

Atoll National Wildlife Refuge given funding and staff 

constraints. Carcasses of Laysan ducks discovered incidental 

to population monitoring will be collected and sent to the 

USGS National Wildlife Health Lab to determine causes of 

mortality and screened for disease.

USFWS Contact: Holly Freifeld

East Alakai Habitat Protection

The degradation of native habitats by feral ungulates is 

considered a major threat to listed species that occur in the 

Alakai Swamp, the largest system of high elevation bogs in 

the Hawaiian Islands. By constructing 26,429 linear feet of 

fence that excludes feral ungulates, this project will protect 

and restore 1,405 acres of privately owned land and 595 acres 

of State-owned land in the Alakai Swamp. By excluding 

ungulates, it is expected that growth and natural regeneration 

of native plants will increase. This habitat protection will 

benefit seabirds, forest birds, and invertebrates. This project 

will protect 780 acres of existing critical habitat for listed 

plants and 1,770 acres of proposed critical habitat for 2 

species of forest birds, 18 species of plants, and 1 invertebrate.

USFWS Contact: Michelle Clark

Education and Outreach for the Mariana Fruit Bat

The purpose of this project is to raise awareness of the 

ecological and cultural importance of the Mariana fruit bat 

(Pteropus marianus marianus; fanihi) in an effort to curb the 

illegal hunting that is the main threat to this species. This 

outreach project includes renting the film “Flying Foresters” 

from the BBC for 50 showings over one year, and creating 

a locally-filmed documentary to be shown with the BBC 

video. “Flying Foresters” is a 30-minute BBC film about the 

importance of fruit bats to humans and local forests, narrated 

by David Attenborough. It is entertaining and educational 

and features a series of stories illustrating the ecological role 

of fruit bats in tropical forests. “Flying Foresters” and the 

locally filmed companion piece, “Fanihi: a cultural digest”, 

which includes interviews with local hunters and community 

members from Rota, will be shown on television throughout 

the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 

(CNMI). Special showings for schools throughout the CNMI 

and on Guam will also be organized.

USFWS Contact: Holly Freifeld

Laysan duck (Anas laysanensis). Photo courtesy of Jimmy Breeden, 

USGS.

Alakai Plateau on the island of Kauai. USFWS photo.

Mariana fruit bat (Pteropus marianus 

marianus). USFWS photo.
Endangered Species Recovery Program 2009 Annual Report 9
10 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region

Habitat Use and Population Estimates

for Greater Sage Grouse

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) occupy 

approximately 56 percent of their historical range in 

western North America. Evidence suggests that habitat 

fragmentation and destruction across much of the species’ 

range has contributed to significant population declines 

over the past century. The goal of this project is to obtain 

population and seasonal habitat use data for isolated sage 

grouse populations in the Eastern Idaho Uplands Planning 

Area. Fifty sage grouse will be captured, radio-marked, and 

monitored for the duration of the project. Radio-telemetry 

data will be analyzed to determine seasonal habitat use and 

movement patterns. Understanding the distribution and 

seasonal habitat use of sage grouse is essential to effective 

conservation planning. This information will be used to 

prioritize habitat enhancement projects and increase the 

success of conservation efforts. 

USFWS Contact: Sandi Arena

Conservation of Packard’s Milkvetch

Packard’s milkvetch (Astragalus cusickii var. packardiae) is 

considered one of the rarest plants in Idaho. This striking 

perennial forb, endemic to sedimentary outcrops along 

tributaries of Big and Little Willow Creeks in northeastern 

Payette County, was rediscovered in the wild during 

1997. Only known to occur in a small 10 square mile area, 

Packard’s milkvetch is threatened by habitat alterations 

from wildfires, livestock grazing, and non-native species. 

The objective of this project is to develop a long-term 

monitoring program to collect quantitative information on 

species abundance, community composition, and impacts 

from ground disturbing activities. Preliminary results from 

baseline monitoring indicate that the sedimentary outcrops 

are being impacted by 

non-native invasive 

species, as well as new 

threats from increased 

off-road recreational 

motorcycle use. The 

information gained from 

this monitoring will be 

used to develop rangewide and site-specific 

conservation priorities.

USFWS Contact: 

Kendra Womack

Fish Passage for Bull Trout,

Chinook Salmon, and Steelhead

Two fish passage projects that benefit the recovery of bull 

trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and other fish species will be 

implemented on the Boise National Forest in southwestern 

Idaho. The objective of the first project is to remove a culvert 

at Fir Creek in the Lowman Ranger District that acts as a fish 

barrier. The culvert will be replaced with an 18-foot wooden 

bridge, which will accommodate the bank full channel of the 

stream and will be designed to incorporate stream simulation 

with respect to channel alignment, gradient, substrates, and 

100-year flood events. This project will restore fish passage 

to approximately six miles of steam designated as critical 

habitat for chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and 

steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In addition, this project 

will restore fish passage to 20% of the suitable spawning and 

rearing habitat for bull trout in the Bear Valley. The objective 

of the second project is to remove five culverts along Curtis 

Creek and replace them with structures that allow fish 

passage. These culvert replacements will restore fish passage 

to approximately 11 miles of suitable spawning and rearing 

habitat for bull trout and steelhead in Curtis Creek of the 

Upper South Fork Salmon River drainage in the Cascade 

Ranger District. 

USFWS Contact: Mark Robertson

Sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). USFWS photo.

Chinook salmon 

(Oncorhynchus 

tshawytscha) spawning 

(above), USFWS photo. 

Bull trout (Salvelinus 

confluentus) spawing 

(right), photo courtesy

of USFS.

Packard’s milkvetch (Astragalus cusickii var. 

packardiae). USFWS photo.
Endangered Species Recovery Program 2009 Annual Report 11

Conservation Actions for

Northern Idaho Ground Squirrels

Multiple projects contributing to the recovery of the 

northern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus 

brunneus) will be implemented in western Idaho. The 

northern Idaho ground squirrel is threatened by habitat 

loss and fragmentation, development, non-native plant 

invasions, and fire management practices. Found only in 

Adam and Valley counties of western Idaho, the northern 

Idaho ground squirrel occurs in dry meadows surrounded 

by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forests. The objectives 

of these projects include developing an interpretive area at 

Lost Valley Reservoir, an important squirrel colony, restoring 

suitable habitat at multiple locations, and monitoring the 

response of northern Idaho ground squirrels to habitat 

restoration and enhancement actions. The Lost Valley 

Reservoir interpretive site will have an informational kiosk 

and pedestrian-only interpretive trail. Results of systematic 

research projects and on-going population monitoring will 

be used to assess habitat 

treatment efficacy, evaluate 

habitat characteristics 

important to the species 

(e.g., nutrients, structure), 

and assess population 

response of northern 

Idaho ground squirrels to 

habitat treatments.

USFWS Contact: 

Kendra Womack

Conservation of Western Migratory

Songbirds and Raptors

The purpose of this project is to support cooperative research 

and public education of western migratory landbirds at the 

Idaho Bird Observatory (IBO), a non-profit research unit of 

Boise State University. The IBO’s longest-running research 

and education effort is a fall migration project located 

on the Boise Ridge in the Boise Foothills southeast of the 

City of Boise. The Boise Ridge is one of only a few known 

sites in the western U.S. where large numbers of diurnal 

raptors, songbirds, and forest owls concentrate during fall 

migration. This area presents a unique opportunity to study 

the migration biology of many different kinds of birds in one 

locality. Studies have identified important habitats used by 

migrants, breeding and wintering areas, and contribute to 

long-term population monitoring. Information gained from 

the IBO, as well as other regional bird observatories, provides 

essential baseline information used to establish conservation 

priorities throughout North America, including the Partners 

in Flight conservation priority-setting at the continental 

North American scale.

USFWS Contact: Steve Duke

Columbia Spotted Frog Surveys

An isolated subpopulation of Columbia spotted frogs (Rana 

luteiventris) occupies aquatic habitats at the Owyhee Uplands 

in southwest Idaho. These aquatic habitats, including 

streams, riparian areas, and wet meadows, have been 

negatively impacted by habitat loss, conversion of wetlands 

to irrigated pastures, de-watering of streams and rivers for 

irrigation uses, and irregular drought. The objective of this 

project is to expand surveys for Columbia spotted frogs 

on privately-owned riparian and wet meadow habitats. 

Increasing the area of surveys included in annual population 

monitoring will increase our knowledge 

of the distribution and population status 

of Columbia spotted frogs in southwest 

Idaho. Through increased partnerships 

with private landowners the USFWS is 

committed to building new and positive 

relationships with landowners to further 

conservation of Columbia spotted frogs.

USFWS Contact: Kendra Womack

Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus) 

banded at Boise Ridge (above), photo 

courtesy of IBO. Nesting yellow 

warbler (Dendroica petechia), USFWS 

photo. Both species are designated as 

high priority breeding bird species by 

the Idaho Partners in Flight.

Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris). USFWS photo.

Northern Idaho ground squirrel 

(Spermophilus brunneus brunneus). USFWS 

photo.
12 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region
Endangered Species Recovery Program 2009 Annual Report 13

Salmon Camp for Native American Youth 

In cooperation with the National Science Foundation ITEST 

program and the Lightfoot Foundation, the USFWS supports 

the Salmon Camp and Salmon Camp Research Team 

programs. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry 

(OMSI) offers these programs free to middle school and 

high school students of Native American affiliation. Salmon 

Camp links real world career experience with cultural 

knowledge by educating Native American youths on salmon 

conservation and promoting interest in the pursuit of natural 

resource careers. Students work in the field with Federal, 

State, and tribal resource managers and university researchers 

who provide training in the newest 

technologies that are revolutionizing the 

field of resource management. Students are 

connected with tribal elders to learn about 

their traditional cultural heritage. A new 

after-school science program, coordinated 

by OMSI and the Native American Youth 

and Family Center, has been created as part 

of Salmon Camp. The goal of the program 

is to increase student interest in science 

through hands-on activities and field trips.

USFWS Contact: Nancy Pollot

Dutch Canyon Restoration

Downcutting at South Scappoose Creek, one of the main 

salmon-bearing creeks in the Scappoose Bay Watershed, 

has reduced the quality of salmonid habitat due to siltation 

and loss of habitat diversity. Severe erosion has increased 

sedimentation and deepened the stream channel resulting in 

a lost connection with the floodplain at normal high water. 

The goals of this project include reestablishing the historical 

floodplain connection, enhancing in-stream habitat, reducing 

sediment inputs, and restoring ecological function of riparian 

and wetland habitats. Restoration actions include excavating 

the active floodplain, reducing stream bank angles, installing 

engineered log jams to improve in-channel 

habitat complexity, controlling non-native 

invasive vegetation, and planting native 

shrubs and trees. Restoring the natural 

function of South Scappoose Creek and the 

adjacent floodplain will improve stream 

habitat for coho salmon (Oncorhynchus 

kisutch), chinook salmon 

(Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and 

steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). 

USFWS Contact: Amy Horstman

Downcutting at South Scappoose Creek that has degraded 

stream habitat for native salmonids. USFWS photo.

Students work with researchers 

during stream surveys (above) 

and help biologist measure 

salmon (left). Photos courtesy of 

the OMSI Salmon Camp.

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus 

tshawytscha) adults and eggs. 

Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers.

Habitat Restoration for Cook’s Desert Parsley

Cook’s desert parsley (Lomatium cookii) is a small perennial 

plant threatened by development, off-road vehicle use, and 

habitat alteration resulting from changes in historical fire 

regimes. The goal of this project is to protect 100 acres of 

habitat and restore 10 acres of habitat at French Flat and 

Rough and Ready Creek, designated as Areas of Critical 

Environmental Concern by the Bureau of Land Management. 

These areas are prone to disturbance from illegal off-road 

vehicle use and garbage dumping, and have suffered forest 

vegetation encroachment from a break in historical fire 

intervals. Trees and brush will be removed to restore open 

meadow habitats and fencing will be used to reduce or deter 

off-road vehicle use. Other restoration actions include 

removing illegally-dumped trash, mowing, burning, and 

planting native seedlings. 

USFWS Contact: Sam Friedman

Cook’s desert parsley (Lomatium cookii). Photo by Ian Silvernail.
14 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region

Indigo Springs Fish Passage

Successful spawning and early juvenile rearing of bull trout 

(Salvelinus confluentus) is dependent on cold, clear, and 

complex streams such as Indigo Springs. This type of habitat 

in the Middle Fork Willamette River is extremely limited, and 

as a result, bull trout were likely extirpated from the Middle 

Fork during the early 1990s. Habitat restoration within the 

Willamette River and translocation of wild bull trout from an 

adjacent sub-basin were initiated during 1997 and continue 

today. The objective of this project is to remove a culvert that 

prevents fish passage into the upper half of the Indigo Springs 

Stream. Fish passage will be reestablished by replacing the 

existing culvert with a natural-bottom boxed culvert. Stream 

flow will also be returned to part of the old stream channel 

and a section of new stream channel designed to maximize 

spawning and rearing of bull trout. This project will provide 

additional habitat for the small reproducing population of 

bull trout that now exist in the Middle Fork Willamette River. 

USFWS Contact: Chris Allen

Coos Bay North Spit Habitat Restoration

Historically, western snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus 

nivosus) were observed at 29 locations along the Oregon 

Coast; only eight core breeding areas remain today. Loss and 

degradation of habitat are the primary causes of population 

declines for this species. The spread of introduced European 

beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) in Oregon has reduced the 

amount of open, sandy habitat preferred by nesting plovers, 

and increased habitat for predators such as red fox, raccoon, 

and skunk. On-going habitat restoration and management 

has resulted in 170 acres of open sand beach habitat at 

Coos Bay North Spit. Coos Bay North Spit is the most 

productive plover nest site on the Oregon Coast, accounting 

for 37 percent of fledglings since intensive monitoring of 

the population began during 1990. The objectives of this 

project include clearing introduced beachgrass and other 

invasive plant species, predator management, installing signs 

and ropes to protect breeding areas, enforcement of beach 

restrictions, and outreach and education. Continuing these 

important habitat restoration and management actions will 

contribute to the recovery of western snowy plovers. 

USFWS Contact: Liz Kelly

Removing non-native beachgrasses to restore sandy beach habitat for western 

snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus). USFWS photo.

Habitat Enhancement for Streaked Horned Larks

This project builds on previous planning efforts to evaluate 

the potential for creating suitable nesting habitat for streaked 

horned larks (Eremophila alpestris strigata) by managing 

dredge spoil islands in the lower Columbia River. The 

availability of suitable nesting habitat is one of the limiting 

factors for streaked horned larks and sparsely vegetated 

spoil islands have the potential to support large breeding 

populations of larks. Experimental approaches will be used 

to assess the optimal disposal timing and the quantity and 

placement of spoils to create and maintain nesting habitat 

for streaked horned larks. Successful habitat enhancement 

methods resulting from this study will be compiled as 

management guidelines for the Army Corps of Engineers’ 

dredge spoil deposition program. 

USFWS Contact: Cat Brown

Female streaked horned lark. Photo 

courtesy of Russell Rogers, WDFW.

Male streaked horned lark. 

Photo courtesy of WDFW.

Spoil island in the lower 

Columbia River. USFWS photo.

A natural-bottom boxed culvert will allow fish passage for bull trout 

(Salvelinus confluentus) into upstream reaches of Indigo Springs 

Stream. USFWS photo.
Endangered Species Recovery Program 2009 Annual Report 15
16 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region

Habitat Enhancement for Mardon Skippers

The Mardon skipper (Polites mardon) is a small tawny-orange 

butterfly known from 37 sites located in four geographic 

areas. Habitat loss and degradation of native prairie 

grasslands are considered the primary reasons for its decline. 

Cave Creek Meadow supports the western-most population 

of Mardon skippers documented in the Washington Cascades 

and a population of pale blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium 

sarmentosum), a rare endemic plant. The purpose of this 

project is to enhance habitat at Cave 

Creek by removing non-native invasive 

species that reduce habitat quality for 

Mardon skippers and pale blue-eyed 

grass. This project supports efforts to 

eradicate Hound’s tongue (Cynoglossum 

officinale) and control Canada thistle 

(Cirsium arvense) and western 

tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata) 

from 10 acres of Cave Creek meadow 

and adjacent habitats.

USFWS Contact: Vince Harke

Habitat Restoration at Mountain Home Ridge

The Wenatchee Mountains checker-mallow (Sidalcea oregano 

var. calva) is an endemic plant found only in mid-elevation 

wetlands and met meadows within Chelan County in 

eastern Washington. Known from only five populations, it is 

federally listed as endangered and is designated as a spotlight 

species in the Pacific Region. This project will create a 

suitable reintroduction site for the checker-mallow by cutting 

and removing encroaching vegetation and burning to create 

potential habitat. When habitat at the Mountain Home 

Ridge reintroduction area is suitable, seeds of the Wenatchee 

Mountains checker-mallow will be collected and planted 

at the site. When successfully completed, this project will 

accomplish multiple recovery goals.

USFWS Contact: Greg Van Stralen

Wenatchee Mountains checker-mallow (Sidalcea oregano var. calva) habitat 

in eastern Washington. USFWS photo.

Effectiveness Monitoring for Marbled Murrelets

The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a 

small seabird that spends most of its time foraging and 

roosting in near-shore marine waters. However, during the 

breeding season, marbled murrelets nest in forests with oldgrowth characteristics up to 50 miles inland. Loss of oldgrowth forests and other viable nesting habitats is considered 

the main reason for the decline of the species. The purpose 

of this project is to conduct at-sea surveys off the coast of 

Washington that contribute to long-term monitoring and 

evaluation of actions implemented under the Northwest 

Forest Plan to restore and manage suitable nesting habitat. 

Results from these surveys will assess the status and trends 

of marbled murrelet populations throughout the Pacific 

Northwest and determine if land based management actions 

outlined in the Northwest Forest Plan are contributing to the 

recovery of the species. 

USFWS Contact: Deanna Lynch

Marbled murrelet 

(Brachyramphus marmoratus) 

at sea (left), USFWS photo. 

Marbled murrelet nest in old 

growth forest (bottom left), 

photo courtesy of N. Hatch, 

USFS. At-sea surveys to 

monitor population trends 

(below), USFWS photo.

Mardon skippers (Polites mardon). Photo courtesy of Tom 

Kogut, USFS.

Pale blue-eyed grass 

(Sisyrinchium sarmentosum). 

Photo by Lois Kemp, Center 

for Plant Conservation.
Endangered Species Recovery Program 2009 Annual Report 17

Bull Trout Fish Passage Improvements

The South Fork Tieton River and Spruce Creek provide 

spawning and rearing habitat for bull trout (Salvelinus 

confluentus), but habitat quality and availability has been 

negatively impacted by roads and barriers to fish passage. 

Three culverts will be removed and replaced with wooden 

jeep-trail bridges to restore unimpeded fish passage to the 

South Fork Tieton River. In addition, one mile of road 

along the river will be decommissioned and obliterated; 

another one mile of road will be converted to a jeep trail. At 

Spruce Creek, a 

trail bridge will 

be constructed to 

improve the quality 

of stream habitat 

by directing traffic 

out of the stream 

corridor.

USFWS Contact: 

Greg Van Stralen

Bull Trout Redd Surveys in the Yakima Core Area

The collection of redd data for bull trout (Salvelinus 

confluentus) is one of the most widely established methods 

to monitor trends in populations and is key to the recovery 

of bull trout. The objectives of this project are to continue 

monitoring bull trout redd index reaches within the 

Yakima sub-basin to determine population trends and to 

expand monitoring efforts to stream reaches that have been 

inconsistently monitored in the past. These surveys will 

develop a more standardized set of data for establishing 

population trends. Redd surveys will be conducted in several 

streams throughout the Yakima Sub-Basin and provide 

information for 16 subpopulations within the Sub-Basin. 

USFWS Contact: Judy DeLaVergne

Grizzly Bears and Gray Wolves in the

North Cascades Ecosystem

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) and gray wolves 

(Canis lupus) in the North Cascades Ecosystem are present 

only in small numbers, below their historical population 

levels. Both species are essential for proper functioning of 

the North Cascades Ecosystem. Understanding the current 

distribution and status of grizzly bears and gray wolves in the 

North Cascades is important for determining appropriate 

recovery actions to increase population numbers. This 

project increases the capacity of management agencies to 

document the status and distribution of these carnivores 

throughout the region. Two field biologists will be hired and 

trained to identify grizzly bears and gray wolves and their 

sign. Biologists will use remote cameras to verify species 

occurrence in locations where reliable sightings are reported, 

assist with radio-telemetry monitoring of the first fully 

documented wolf pack in Washington, and provide public 

education and coordination with volunteers. 

USFWS contact: Jodi Bush

Collecting redd data for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). 

USFWS photo.

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis). USFWS photo.

Culvert at the South Fork Tieton River acts as a barrier 

to fish passage. USFWS photo.

Cascade Pass 

(above), photo 

courtesy of NPS. 

Grizzly bear with 

cub (top right), 

photo courtesy 

of Conservation 

Northwest. Gray 

wolf (Canis lupus) 

during winter 

(right), USFWS 

photo.
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Pacific Regional Office

911 NE 11th Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97232

phone: (503) 231-6120

fax: (503) 736-4463

TTY: (503)-231-6263 

http://www.fws.gov/pacific/

Report Design by:

Scaup & Willet LLC

Wayan, Idaho

April 2010

Back cover photos: MacFarlane’s fouro’clock (Mirabilis macfarlanei; above), photo 

courtesy of Mark Lowry, Idaho BLM.

Hells Canyon survey for MacFarlanes fouro’clock (left), photo courtesy of Jesse D’Elia.