long-toed salamander

New weelili onyenmak Property Helps Protect Endangered Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander

We'd say that the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander is thrilled to have more protected habitat! Credit: Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.

With this property acquisition, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County safeguards critical habitat for this endangered, federally and state-listed species.

Land Trust of Santa Cruz County Protects Habitat for Rare and Endangered Santa Cruz Long-toed Salamander

Our friend the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander. Credit: Robin Gwen Agarwal (CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED)

The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County acquired 14 acres of core habitat critical to the recovery of the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander.

Saving the Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander

Adult Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander, observed at Ellicott Slough. Photo credit to Matthew Slater and Pacific Southwest Region USFWS

In the winter of 2015, drought conditions made the outlook for the Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander breeding season bleak indeed—until dedicated Fish & Wildlife Service staffers intervened.