The public role in conserving species.

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Conservation biology is a field that requires the melding of biological and social sciences. This is particularly true when considering the conservation of organisms in areas with high human populations. Although laws and policies direct us to seek public input and consider the needs of people when making regulatory decisions, as scientists, we have sometimes neglected the human factor in our conservation designs. But there is a better chance for success when local citizens are included in conservation planning efforts. In one example, the Fish and Wildlife Service's Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office is working with the public and private sectors to ensure the conservation of San Francisco's namesake snake.

The San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia), listed as endangered by the State of California and the federal government, is a subspecies endemic to the San Francisco Peninsula. It has been referred to as one of the most beautiful serpents in North America. Ironically, the San Francisco garter snake relies partly on a threatened species, the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii), for part of its diet. As with many listed species, the snake and frog are threatened primarily by habitat loss, fragmentation, degradation, and inadequate management. The bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), an introduced species, is also known to prey on, and compete with, both species.

The Service prepared a recovery plan for the San Francisco garter snake in 1985; however, few recovery actions were implemented prior to 2002. In light of the snake's dire conservation status, the Service's Sacramento recovery Program convened an internal working group in 2002 to address conservation needs. Among other actions the working group identified Laguna Salada and Mori Point (adjacent areas located to the south in Pacifica) as priority areas for the conservation of the San Francisco garter snake and California red-legged frog within this portion of their ranges.

Laguna Salada is a former tidal lagoon that was diked in the early 1900s by the City of San Francisco to alleviate tidal flooding of an adjacent golf course (and later a residential development). As a tidal lagoon, it functioned with freshwater flow by seasonally breaching the natural sand spit to allow full tidal action. Together, Laguna Salada and Mori Point represent one of the northernmost population centers remaining for the San Francisco garter snake. Numerous studies from previous decades indicate the snake and the California red legged frog extensively else the wetland complex and surrounding uplands, making the continued management of those areas critical to the survival and recovery of both species.

In 2000, the Trust for Public Land, in cooperation with other partners, purchased Mori Point and transferred ownership to the National Park Service's Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Service's Sacramento Recovery Program began working in partnership with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and San Francisco Zoo to address the snake's conservation needs. Several key conservation elements were identified, including the enhancement of wetlands to provide secure foraging and breeding habitat for the garter snake and red-legged frog, respectively; creating a "head-start" program to increase survivorship of newborn snakes; and conducting public outreach and education (such as zoological holdings (1) and interpretive signs).

Due to Laguna Salada-Mori Point's urban setting, heavy recreational use, and the on-going threat of poaching from reptile enthusiasts, the partnership recognized that successful conservation of the San Francisco garter snake would require extensive public participation and ownership. One day in October 2002, the public was invited to Mori Point to share knowledge of the site and discuss the preliminary plans to enhance the wetlands. Many of the participants noted their personal observations of the San Francisco garter snake and California red-legged frog. Following this initial public contact, final plans for the wetland enhancement project were developed. Workshops were held to inform the public, solicit its support, and educate volunteers on the biology, ecology, and identification of the snake.

The enhancement project took place in fall 2004, with key participation by volunteers from the Golden Gate National Parks Association's Site Stewardship Program. California red-legged frogs responded two months later by laying eggs in the newly created ponds. In February 2005, tadpoles were observed emerging from their egg sacs and in January 2006, more red-legged frog eggs were laid in the new ponds. Although it is too early to determine if this effort will substantially benefit the San Francisco garter snake, it is evident from press coverage that the public is quite enthusiastic about the project. People in the area are beginning to take ownership in the recovery of the species, and that bodes well for the future status of both the San Francisco garter snake and the California red-legged frog.

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(1) In 2003, the two remaining captively held individuals in the United States died. In June 2005, ten captive-bred snakes were successfully repatriated from European collections and are now on display for educational purposes at the San Francisco Zoo.

Don Hankins, formerly a fish and wildlife biologist with the Service's Sacramento Field Office, is now, a professor at California State University, Chico.