Goal: Enhance and expand areas occupied by American badger in San Diego County in large interconnected blocks (>1,000 acres) of suitable natural vegetation surrounded by a limited number of high use roads, and increase connectivity (and reduce potential road mortality) between occupied and suitable habitat areas to allow expansion and movement of badger occurrences and to ensure persistence in the MSPA over the long-term (>100 years).
Management units: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11
In 2019-2020, continue the study begun in 2014 to: determine the locations of American badgers in western San Diego County (see occurrence table); to assess and analyze occurrence status, identify and characterize suitable habitat, and evaluate threats; to record movement patterns to determine the risk of direct mortality from existing and planned future roads; and to examine ways to improve badger connectivity between IMAs and reduce mortality (e.g. culverts, bridges, fencing, etc.). Use the study results to prepare specific management recommendations for badger habitat management and for connectivity enhancement within the MSPA.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| RES-1 | Conduct badger surveys to determine spatial and temporal distribution of badgers, assess habitat, and collect threat covariate data. | in progress | |
| RES-2 | Conduct badger information outreach with hotline for the public to report badger detections. | unknown | |
| RES-3 | Utilize species experts and veterinarians (through workshops or other collaborative means) to develop techniques to safely attach satellite transmitter packages to track the movement of American badger. | in progress | |
| RES-4 | Use satellite transmitters and other methods as appropriate to examine the movement patterns of badgers in San Diego County and to determine high risk areas for badgers crossing roads and priority areas for fencing and under crossings. High priority areas for the study should include areas within or adjacent to badger IMAs where traffic volume is anticipated to increase in the next 5-10 years. The study results should include recommendations for locations and types of structures (including fencing) needed to allow safe movement of badger. | ||
| RES-5 | All badgers captured as part of studies should have their rodenticide levels evaluated and genetic samples collected. | in progress | |
| RES-6 | Submit project metadata, datasets, and reports including results, analyses, and management recommendations to the MSP Web Portal. | in progress |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| In 2020, Completed Badger Habitat and Connectivity Study Report | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Climate change | CLICHN |
| Invasive plants | INVPLA |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Pesticides |
Management units: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11
In 2019-2020, continue the study begun in 2014 to determine the population genetics of American badger in western San Diego County (see occurrence table), within the range of T. t. Jeffersoni, to determine the extent of connectivity between badger occurrences and if possible, the number and relationship of existing individuals, and use this information to determine where to prioritize connectivity enhancements and whether or not existing occurrences of American badger are self-sustaining.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| RES-1 | Collect and analyze genetic data from the badgers using scat, hair traps, and captured individuals to determine the abundance and location of individual badgers in the MSPA. | in progress | |
| RES-1 | Collect and analyze genetic data from the badgers using scat, hair traps, and captured individuals to determine the abundance and location of individual badgers in the MSPA. | in progress | |
| RES-2 | Based upon the genetic results, try to determine effective population size for occurrences in the MSPA. | in progress | |
| RES-3 | Evaluate population genetic structure to determine if there is connectivity between badger occurrences in the MSPA. | in progress | |
| RES-4 | Prepare management recommendations to enhance connectivity and to maintain genetic diversity. | in progress | |
| RES-5 | Submit project metadata, datasets, and reports including results, analyses, and management recommendations to the MSP WebPortal. | in progress |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| In 2020, Completed Badger Genetics Report | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
Management units: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11
Beginning in 2020, use data and recommendations from the research and genetic studies to develop a long-term American Badger Monitoring Plan in the MSPA to efficiently and periodically monitor the distribution, abundance, mortality and connectivity of the badger population using non-invasive and cost-efficient monitoring methods, such as the collection of scat for genetic analysis, tracking and burrow surveys. The plan should include specific monitoring objectives, sampling frame, sampling design, methods and analytic approach.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRP-1 | Submit project metadata and American Badger Monitoring Plan to MSP Web Portal. | waiting for precedent action |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| In 2021, Completed American Badger Monitoring Plan | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Climate change | CLICHN |
| Invasive plants | INVPLA |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Pesticides |
Management units: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11
Beginning in 2020, use results and recommendations from the research and genetic studies to develop a 2022-2026 comprehensive American Badger Management Plan in the MSPA to enhance connectivity within and among IMAs (see Table of Occurrences) and to manage grasslands to improve habitat quality and prey availability. The plan should identify high priority areas for badger management and provide site-specific management recommendations and guidelines for monitoring the effectiveness of management actions.
| Action | Statement | Action status | Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRP-1 | Use research results to develop specific recommendations to improve road crossing infrastructure, such as culverts, bridges and fencing, to enhance connectivity and reduce mortality risk. | waiting for precedent action | |
| PRP-2 | Analyze habitat assessments and information from other studies (e.g., western burrowing owl and California ground squirrel BMPs) to prepare specific management recommendations land managers can take to enhance availability of prey species, particularly California ground squirrels, and improve habitat quality for badgers. Identify opportunities to conduct grassland management for badgers in conjunction with habitat management for other MSP species, such as golden eagles. | waiting for precedent action | |
| PRP-3 | Submit project metadata and American Badger Management Plan to MSP Web Portal. | waiting for precedent action |
| Criteria | Deadline year |
|---|---|
| In 2021, Completed American Badger Management Plan | 2021 |
| Threat Name | Threat Code |
|---|---|
| Climate change | CLICHN |
| Invasive plants | INVPLA |
| Loss of connectivity | LOSCON |
| Pesticides |