The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that the four species of plant and one bird species endemic to San Clemente Island will be removed from the endangered species list due to substantial resurgence and efforts from the Naval Base Coronado and Commander, Pacific Fleet wildlife biologists and botanists.
The announcement coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
“It’s amazing because it shows that the Endangered Species Act works,” said Bryan Munson, botany manager aboard Naval Base Coronado. “And not just that the Endangered Species Act works, but particularly that the Endangered Species Act works on a very heavily utilized military island.”
San Clemente Island is home to the United States Navy Seals training facilities, and it also serves as is the primary maritime training area for the Navy Pacific Fleet, and other sea, air and land forces, housing the impact area known as the Shore Bombardment Area (SHOBA) on the Southern end of the island.
Though the training schedule is heavy and frequent, only a small portion – just under 10% – of the island is utilized for the high-impact evolutions, which leaves the remainder of the island open for the business of conservation.
Prior to the Navy’s acquisition of the island in 1934, San Clemente Island was historically used for livestock ranching. Further, scores of voracious goats, pigs and sheep scoured the landscape – leaving it resembling a moonscape – bringing the native flora and fauna to the brink of extinction.
Part of the Navy’s conservation mission was relocating the non-native species to enable a comeback for native species.
“Because this is a Navy island, the Navy is obligated to practice stewardship; to practice care of natural resources because ultimately, these are public lands,” said Melissa Booker, wildlife biologist in charge of terrestrial wildlife and seabirds for Naval Base Coronado. “The Navy holds
these in public trust, and therefore, it takes care of them. So, when it comes off the Endangered Species list, that’s really a signal that all the work we have done is coming to fruition.”
In addition to the removal of non-native species, the Navy implemented erosion and fire control practices, constantly surveying and monitoring the programs.
“To be here in a historic moment is very exciting,” said Booker. “Particularly at a time when I think it’s easy to get depressed about what’s happening in our environment, when we see habitats being lost.”
Yet, the work is not complete, and the Navy will remain committed in the development of delisting monitoring programs for the species, ensuring they remain in their new status quo.
“I think the biggest take home from this delisting is how all the different things marry together,” said Kim O’Connor, conservation program manager for Pacific Fleet. “I think if you asked the general public, they’d be surprised that an island that hosts this level of training is also recovering not just listed species, but ecosystem-wide recovery.”
This story came from Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Eshleman from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service in partnership with the Navy.
