Friday is World Wildlife Day and the City of Carlsbad is celebrating with its very own success story. New data shows the California gnatcatcher is still thriving here, a sign that the city’s Habitat Management Plan is meeting one of its key objectives. Protecting the federally threatened gnatcatcher and preserving the coastal sage scrub it calls home was one of the top priorities when the Habitat Management Plan was created 18 years ago.

The gnatcatcher was listed as a federally threatened species in 1993. It’s a tiny bird with dark blue-gray feathers on its back, grayish-white feathers on its underside and white rings around its eyes. It has a long, mostly black tail and a thin, small bill and it makes a high-pitched sound similar to a kitten mewing.

A recent survey shows the plan is working to support the gnatcatcher and a variety of other sensitive species and habitats. The survey was included in the city’s annual report about the Habitat Management Plan presented at a community meeting earlier today.

Before Carlsbad’s plan was adopted, habitat areas in the city were set aside on a project-by-project basis without a coordinated, big-picture approach. Under the plan, large habitat areas are connected by wildlife movement corridors that help preserve a healthy ecosystem.

When the Habitat Management Plan was being developed, there wasn't enough coastal sage scrub habitat in Carlsbad to conserve the gnatcatcher into the future. To help protect the gnatcatcher, the city was required to add 307.6 acres of coastal sage scrub. It met that goal in 2019. 

The annual report also highlights all the work done by the city, land management organizations and nonprofit conservancy groups over the past year to protect natural lands within the city. 

Projects in the past year included:

• Long-term monitoring of rare plants, sensitive wildlife and native habitat
• Studying wildlife movement, including at the Village H South property
• Inspections of 11 unmanaged preserves totaling approximately 667 acres to identify problems and opportunities
• Mapping of native habitats
• Removing hundreds of acres of invasive species
• Repairing and replacing damaged signage and fencing
• Installing measures to control and repair erosion
• Working with volunteers to educate and engage the community in habitat preservation

"The amount of work taking place in our community is pretty phenomenal and it’s exciting to know we're making a difference in protecting a threatened species like the gnatcatcher,” said Rosanne Humphrey, a senior program manager for the city who oversees Carlsbad’s Habitat Management Plan. “It’s a collaborative effort that reflects a shared commitment to providing open space for the public to enjoy while also protecting our native species and habitats.”

About the plan
The City of Carlsbad is the only city in North San Diego County with an approved Habitat Management Plan, setting aside nearly 6,200 acres of open space as preserves for native plants and wildlife through a comprehensive environmental program.

The plan was created to guide sustainable development, conserve native habitat, allow for wildlife movement and permanently protect 47 rare plant and animal species within the city.

Since the plan was adopted in 2004, 6,195 acres of natural land has been preserved as habitat for plants and wildlife, never to be developed. The goal is to preserve 6,478 acres of natural open space after all development in the city has occurred. So far, the city has achieved 96% of that target. The city’s preserves include wetland habitats, such as aquatic marsh and willow scrub, and a variety of upland habitat types, such as coastal sage scrub, native grasslands and oak woodlands.  

To learn more about the city’s preserve system and the work being done to protect and preserve native habitat, visit the city’s Habitat Management Plan webpage.

More information
Rosanne Humphrey, Senior program manager, rosanne.humphrey@carlsbadca.gov
Habitat Management Plan Annual Report
Habitat Management web page
Habitat Management Plan