Biological Monitoring
Our expert biologists provide wide-ranging biological services, including surveys, field studies, habitat assessments, and endangered species and vegetation monitoring.
SAWA Supports the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan
The Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) Biological Monitoring Program collects data on the 146 Covered Species and associated habitats. These habitats are identified in the MSHCP to assess the MSHCP’s progress in meeting conservation objectives and to provide information for adaptive management.
Currently, the SAWA MSHCP staff includes one Monitoring Program Administrator,
Office Assistant, Data Manager, Biologist Supervisor, Taxa Program Leads (Botany, Herptile and Mammal), six Field Biologists, and one GIS Analyst. An Avian Taxa Lead is a CDFW employee supported with endowment funding from Caltrans.
As the largest coastal river system in Southern California, the Santa Ana River Watershed is home to more than 6 million people and includes portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties.
The watershed, which covers a diverse terrain of nearly 3,000 square miles, includes mountains, foothills, valleys and the coastal plain.
The main river is the Santa Ana River, which is more than 96 miles long and contains more than 50 tributaries.
The watershed lies in one of Earth’s 25 Biodiversity Hotspots: areas rich in flora and fauna that are threatened by human activity.
The river is subjected to heavy human impacts from homeless encampments, horseback riding, creation of unauthorized trails, swimming, fishing, off-highway vehicle use, and trash dumping.
