Biology and Management of the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse

A series of 4 online sessions with the goal of improving understanding of the biology, ecology, and management of the endangered Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse.

Thursday, May 26, 2022
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Thursday, June 2, 2022
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Thursday, June 9, 2022
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Thursday, June 16, 2022
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Instructors

Dr. Katie Smith, Wildlife Biologist

Marisa Ishimatsu, Construction Monitor Team Lead

Patricia Valcarcel, Regulatory Program Director

The salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) is an endangered species endemic to the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Katie Smith, along with her colleagues Tricia Valcarcel and Marisa Ishimatsu, will present 4 webinar presentations to improve understanding of the biology, ecology, and management of the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse. Katie, who works for WRA, has studied the salt marsh harvest mouse extensively and received her Ph.D. from UC Davis.

This workshop is being jointly offered by the Coastal Training Programs of the Elkhorn Slough and San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves.

Session Topics

Sessions will feature local experts, including researchers and consultants who are actively engaged with SMHM, and will cover:

(1) Basic biology and ecology, including taxonomy, identification, life cycle & population dynamics, adaptations, diet, habitat use, and distribution

(2) Threats and management, including habitat degradation and loss, wildfires, flooding, and predators

(3) Regulatory issues, including "take" under the federal and state ESA, California Fully Protected Species, Section 7 Biological Assessments, Section 10 HCPs, and California Incidental Take Permits

(4) Monitoring methods and compliance

We also hope to follow this virtual series with in-person field trip opportunities, possibly later this Fall, to help people identify potential habitat and possibly observe some SMHM trapping.

Workshop Format

Series of four weekly ~2-hour webinar presentations (10am-12pm), followed by optional, informal virtual brown bag lunch hours for extended Q&A with the experts.

The registration fee of $50 covers registration to the whole series.