Black-Backed Woodpecker Named A Candidate
As recently reported by Matt Weiser of the Sacramento Bee, on December 15, 2011, the California Fish and Game Commission named the black-backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) a candidate species. Under the California Endangered Species Act, the Department of Fish and Game now has 12 months to complete a status review of the species "based on the best scientific information available" and submit a report and listing recommendation to the Commission. After receiving the Department's recommendation and all appropriate public comment at a public hearing, the Commission will decide whether listing of the woodpecker as an endangered or threatened species is or is not warranted.
The Department's initial evaluation and recommendations is available here (pdf).
