What is California Landscape Conservation Cooperative?
In 2009, the Department of the Interior created Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) through Executive Order 3289. LCC’s are a network of public-private partnerships providing science to resource managers who ensure the sustainability of America’s land, water, wildlife and cultural resources. In general, LCCs seek to identify best conservation and research practices, connect conservation and research efforts, identify information gaps, and avoid duplication through improved conservation planning, design, and communication. Partner agencies and organizations coordinate with each other while working within their existing authorities and jurisdictions.
The CA LCC is a management-science partnership working to address the impacts of climate change and other stressors within and across ecosystems by promoting integrated science, natural resource management and conservation. Goals by which the CA LCC accomplishes this are detailed in the CA LCC Charter. A Steering Committee of California conservation partners, staffed by a Coordinator, Science Coordinator and Research Ecologist, charts the vision, develops the strategic plan, and guides the progress of the CA LCC.
CA LCC Guiding Principles
- Strengthens existing partnerships by providing new science capacity to help them address their priority conservation needs. The CA LCC does not replace or supplant existing conservation partnerships.
- Provides enhanced scientific capabilities to help conservation delivery in consideration of climate change. The CA LCC is not a vehicle for conservation delivery.
- Provides agencies with additional science information and tools to help them address issues impacting management of wildlife and associated ecosystems. The CA LCC does not supersede federal, state, local and tribal natural resource management authorities.
- Supports and enhances cooperation across ownership and management boundaries. The CA LCC does not own or manage property, nor seeks to influence ownership conditions.
- Solicits input and participation from their agency/organization and provides their management, technical staff, colleagues, and/or constituents updates and progress of the CA LCC.
What is the geographic scope of the CA LCC?
The northern boundary of the CA LCC (see Figure 1) extends from the San Francisco Bay coastline east and north through the upper edge of the Great Central Valley and encompassing the Sierra Nevada up to but not including Lake Tahoe. The western limit of the CA LCC is the California coastline extending from the San Francisco Bay Area south to and including the western edge of Baja California in the country of Mexico and numerous offshore islands. The southern boundary of the CA LCC extends from the Pacific Ocean coastline, east through the Mojave Desert to the southern Sierra Nevada. The eastern boundary of the CA LCC includes the Sierra Nevada.
How does the CA LCC function?
A full time staff supports efforts to achieve the CA LCC goals. A CA LCC Steering Committee directs staff activities and reports LCC information to a larger CA LCC Alliance made up of research and conservation partners, interested, and associated organizations.
Steering Committee:
The Steering Committee serves as the executive body for decision-making. The Steering Committee charts the vision, develops a strategic plan and guides the progress of the CA LCC. The CA LCC Charter lists responsibilities and membership requirements for Steering Committee members.
Alliance:
The Alliance identifies priorities for CA LCC Steering Committee consideration and also implements CA LCC products and tools. The Alliance supports the Subcommittees’ (see below) development and progress by providing staff and resources. The CA LCC Charter outlines additional responsibilities and requirements for being an Alliance member.
Subcommittees:
Subcommittees are part of the way CA LCC addresses priority topics. Subcommittees include and representatives from governmental, non-governmental, and Tribal interests. The CA LCC Charter provides information about subcommittee membership, roles, and responsibilities.
Staff:
The CA LCC staff assist the Steering Committee by creating and delivering technical products. The Staff are also responsible for facilitating and assisting the Steering Committee’s subcommittees in pursuit of program goals.
The CA LCC Coordinator works closely with the Steering Committee, ensures information is communicated to all members, maintains LCC records, and ensures decisions are implemented. The Coordinator is also the liaison between CA LCC subcommittees and the Steering Committee and maintains close connection with other established LCCs.
The CA LCC Science Coordinator is responsible for technical subcommittee(s) and coordination of data, information, and availability of data results to CA LCC members and the CA LCC Alliance. The Science Coordinator works with Science Coordinators from other LCCs to collaborate and coordinate information.
The CA LCC Research Ecologist works closely with the Coordinator and Science Coordinator to provide support and guidance on complex problem solving such as how to use structured decision-making. Ensures close connection and coordination with other USGS scientists and assists in integrating science with resource management actions.
Organizational Structure
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Steering Committee Members
| Member | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Diana Craig - Chair | Regional Wildlife Ecologist | US Forest Service |
| Ellie Cohen - Vice Chair | Executive Director | PRBO Conservation Science |
| David Gore | Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services | US Bureau of Reclamation |
| Dave Graber | Chief Scientist, Pacific West Region | National Park Service |
| Tom Hedt | Assistant State Conservationist | Natural Resource Conservation Service |
| Kevin Hunting | Chief Deputy Director | CA Department of Fish and Game |
| Rick Kearney | Assistant Regional Director Science Applications | US Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Scott Morrison | Director of Conservation Science | The Nature Conservancy |
| Nadine Peterson | Deputy Executive Officer | CA Coastal Conservancy |
| Pat Rutten | SW Field Supervisor California & Pacific Islands | NOAA/NMFS |
| Michelle Selmon | Climate Change Coordinator | CA Department of Water Resources |
| Bob Shaffer | CVJV Coordinator | California Joint Ventures |
| Brad Shaffer | La Kretz professor of Conservation Biology, UCLA | Southwest Climate Science Alliance |
| Wayne Spencer | Senior Conservation Biologist | Conservation Biology Institute |
| Tom Suchanek | Lead Scientist and Climate Change Coordinator | US Geological Survey |
CA LCC Alliance Listserve
If you would like to join our Alliance Listserve please click here.
Figure 1. (PDF)
