CDFW Seeking Public Comment Regarding Status Of San Luis Obispo County Shrub
The following is courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:
CDFW Seeks Public Comment Related to CESA Candidate Morro Manzanita
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking data and public comments on a petition to list Morro manzanita under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
Morro manzanita (Arctostaphylos morroensis) is an evergreen shrub in the heath family (Ericaceae). It is only found in the Los Osos area of coastal San Luis Obispo County, California, and occurs primarily on stabilized sand dunes associated with Baywood fine sand. In the early 1990s, Morro manzanita was estimated to occupy 840-890 acres, which is a decrease from historical estimates of 1,977 to 2,718 acres.
Present and potential future threats to Morro manzanita include clearing of habitat for development, invasive plant species, climate change and sudden oak death pathogen (Phytophthora ramorum).
Fire plays an important role in the long-term persistence of Morro manzanita in the landscape. While Morro manzanita is killed by fire, the species depends on fire to stimulate the germination of viable seed in the soil seed bank.
As of May 16, 2025, CDFW has 12 months to conduct a status review that will inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list Morro manzanita as endangered under CESA. As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting information regarding the species’ ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance and habitat, as well as the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management and recommendations for management of the species.
On July 20, 2024, Dr. Christopher Kofron and Dr. Claudia Tyler submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) to list Morro manzanita as an endangered species under CESA. The Commission published findings of its decision to make the species a candidate for listing as an endangered species on May 16, 2025, and as such, Morro manzanita now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species (Fish and Game Code sections 2074.2 and 2085).
CDFW requests that data and comments be submitted before Aug. 18, 2025, to allow sufficient time to evaluate this information during the status review period. Please submit data and comments to CDFW by email at NativePlants@wildlife.ca.gov(opens in new tab) and include “Morro manzanita” in the subject line. Data or comments may also be submitted by mail to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Native Plant Program, Attn: Kristi Lazar, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.
CDFW will produce a peer-reviewed report based upon the best scientific information available, which will include a recommendation as to whether the petitioned action to list Morro manzanita as endangered under CESA is warranted (Fish and Game Code section 2074.6). The report will be made publicly available on CDFW’s website(opens in new tab) at least 30 days before the Commission considers acting on the petition.
Please note, the Commission — a legally separate entity from CDFW — is charged with making the final determination on whether to list a species as endangered or threatened under CESA (Fish and Game Code section 2075.5). CDFW serves in a scientific advisory role to the Commission during this process. See the California Fish and Game Commission webpage(opens in new tab) for details on submitting comments to the Commission and receiving email alerts for upcoming Commission meetings.
The listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report and updates on the listing process(opens in new tab)are available on the Commission’s website.
