Santa Cruz Sandhills Regional Habitat Conservation Plan |
Recognized as one of the most significant biological treasures in the state of California, the Santa Cruz sandhills are a unique community of plants and animals that are found ONLY in Santa Cruz County. The Sandhills contain a wealth of biodiversity, including four species of plants and two species of insects that occur nowhere else in the world.
Sandhills plants and animals are limited to outcrops of sandy soil found near the towns of Bonny Doon, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Felton and Scotts Valley. Distinct from the redwood and mixed evergreen forests that dominate the region, two unique communities are found on the Sandhills. Sand Chaparral is dominated by shrub species including manzanita. Sand Parkland is characterized by stands of towering Ponderosa Pines with a diverse understory of native wildflowers. To see a map of the sandhills areas click here. To see photos of the endemic Sandhills plants and animals click here. (1 Megabyte) |
About the SANTA CRUZ SANDHILLS
HCPs can benefit landowners because the burden of complying with the Endangered Species Act is satisfied by participating in the HCP and the incidental take permit that is issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the City and County. Each family or property owner does not have to hire consultants to prepare their own individual HCP, a process that can significantly delay a home improvement project or a new development. For more information on HCPs, go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's HCP Web page at http://endangered.fws.gov/hcp Upcoming Events, Meeting Announcements, Agendas and Minutes: Documents: Links: Contacts:
For more information or to provide comments on the HCP process, please contact
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About the Habitat Conservation Plan