California Wildlife Program

A Unique Landscape

California has long been admired for its magnificent and highly varied landscapes, ranging from arid deserts to breathtaking coastline.

Pumas can be found in nearly all of these landscapes—traversing California’s craggy mountain peaks, rugged scrublands, and scattered forests. But despite this diverse range, these tawny-colored cats are living in a fragmented habitat.

The Problem

Sprawling urban areas, freeways, and certain types of agriculture have isolated puma populations and such close proximity to people can lead to conflict.

Their isolation puts pumas at risk for local extinction and as they are a cornerstone of a robust wild California, without pumas, ecosystems can unravel. The pumas’ fragmented habitat must be restored and connected to maintain healthy wildlife populations.

Our Solution

Our overarching long-term goal is to protect and restore functional connectivity for California’s diverse wildlife.

This focus will help recover isolated puma populations as well as protect the many other species—from foxes to salamanders to owls. From its most cosmopolitan cities to its rural communities, California’s roughly 40 million people live in and around a stunning landscape rich in biodiversity.

Policy Initiatives

Supporting policy initiatives, including efforts at the intersections of wildfire resilience, urban sprawl, infill development, housing, and transportation.

Habitat Protection

Catalyzing land purchases to protect key habitats.

Wildlife Crossings

Advancing the implementation of wildlife crossings at highways and other linear infrastructure.

Stakeholder Collaboration

Convening stakeholders for problem-solving, collaboration, and shared learning.

Capacity Building

Building capacity in local and statewide organizations.

Scientific Research

Supporting scientific research that might be necessary to inform conservation projects and practices.