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Mark your calendars for October 26-28, 2026

Join us for the 2026 Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington!

For more information, please visit our upcoming Annual Meeting page for registration details, sponsorship opportunities, and event updates. To learn more about past meetings, please visit our Annual Meeting archive. 

First-time Annual Meeting Attendee? 
Apply for the John Hopkins Scholarship

The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency (SCVHA) is responsible for the implementation of a regional HCP that provides a streamlined permitting process for urban development, infrastructure and economic development activities undertaken in Santa Clara County, three cities, and the water district and transportation agency in the Silicon Valley area of California. SCVHA is expanding its conservation vision through an amendment to the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan (Plan). 

Initiated in Spring 2022, the Plan Amendment seeks to expand the list of covered species from 18 to 25 and increase the Plan area by 150,000 acres, a 30% increase. In Spring 2026, SCVHA will share the Plan Amendment with the wildlife agencies for their anticipated approval.

Following early success in implementation of the Plan, this amendment is driven by three factors: 

➊ Extending coverage to several imperiled wildlife species not originally covered by the Plan because they are now candidates for listing under the California ESA or Federal ESA; 

➋ Expanding streamlined permitting benefits to a larger geographic area; and

➌ Strategic text changes to improve efficiency of implementation and reduce the cost of the Plan.

Habitat Conservation Plans in Action   

Implementing the Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan (HMP) – Southern California

Adrienne Lee, Environmental Science Associates Managing Biologist & City of Carlsbad Preserve Steward, speaking with Rosanne Humphrey, City of Carlsbad HMP Program Manager

AL: Can you provide an overview of your HCP? 

RH: The City of Carlsbad (City) Habitat Management Plan (HMP) is an HCP that covers the City of Carlsbad jurisdiction in San Diego County, California. The HMP is a 50-year permit and in Year 21 of implementation.


AL: What are unique components of your HCP?

RH: The HMP is a Subarea Plan to a Subregional Plan for the northwestern portion of San Diego County. The Subregional Plan covers multiple jurisdictions, but each jurisdiction prepares its own Subarea Plan for adoption.


The HMP was the first Subarea Plan adopted under the Subregional Plan; part of its conservation strategy is to integrate over 100 pre-existing preserves not owned by the City into the City’s preserve system. However, these pre-existing preserves are privately owned and generally do not have management requirements or funding, making implementation on these lands tricky. No other jurisdiction under the Subregional Plan has an adopted Subarea Plan.


AL: What unexpected challenges have you encountered during implementation?

RH: The intense pressure the preserve system is facing from people - greater than ever anticipated during plan development. Social media can rapidly expose local recreation spots, driving sudden increases in visitation, placing unforeseen pressures on natural resources that challenge existing management capacity.


In addition, jurisdictions historically benefited from long-term staff continuity, but many of those employees have retired and today’s workforce tend to switch employers more frequently. This faster turnover requires the City to continually re-educate their own institution and staff about the purpose and importance of the HMP.


AL: What has been the most fulfilling aspect of implementation so far?

RH: The HMP is real world conservation. You see the completion of restoration projects, the creation of preserves, and the establishment of preserve system connections.

Coalition Takes HCP Advocacy to Washington, D.C.

Two days of high-level meetings reinforce the need for funding, timely grant implementation, and strong federal partnerships

✅ Additional federal capacity. Respondents said the need for additional federal staff is the primary limiting factor to HCP planning and implementation, with staffing shortages, turnover, and inconsistent staff interpretations contributing to delays in plan development, NEPA reviews, amendments, and permit renewals.

✅ More predictable and consistent HCP process. Respondents identified the need for streamlined pathways, standard templates, and an updated HCP Handbook to reduce late-stage revisions and shifting expectations. 

✅ Increased funding. Respondents noted durable HCP implementation requires increased funding, pointing to persistent gaps between need and availability of federal Section 6 funding.

✅ Greater interagency alignment and public support. Respondents identified a greater need for collaboration and alignment between agencies, as well as public support. 

Support the National Habitat Conservation Plan Coalition!

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Join a NHCPC committee!