U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Community Open House on potential sea otter recovery efforts in Northern California and Oregon

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will host 16 public open houses with communities in Northern California and Oregon (including at Point Reyes National Seashore's Red Barn Classroom) this June to gather input on the potential reintroduction of sea otters to their historical range. The open houses will provide communities and stakeholders an opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and speak with USFWS staff about sea otters and next steps in recovery efforts including the potential reintroduction process–should a proposal move forward.

The southern sea otter, one of three subspecies of sea otter, is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. As directed by Congress, the USFWS assessed reintroduction feasibility in 2022. The assessment concluded that reintroduction was biologically feasible and may have significant benefits for a variety of species in the marine ecosystem and expedite the recovery of the threatened southern sea otter.

The assessment also concluded that additional information about how reintroduction would affect stakeholders and local communities was needed before considering the next steps. There is no active proposal to reintroduce sea otters at this time.

The open houses will help the Service gather further information to inform next steps. As the USFWS considers the possibility of reintroduction, we recognize that community values and issues are critical in this process. Input from the public and key stakeholders, including ocean users, will be a foundational component in establishing next steps including whether or not a potential reintroduction is proposed, as well as ensuring that proposals are crafted in a way that benefits stakeholders and local communities.

The USFWS aims to be inclusive, thoughtful, and scientifically sound as we consider actions to support sea otters, local communities and ecosystem recovery, now and in the future.

More information

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Red Barn Classroom at Point Reyes National Seashore. To get to the Red Barn Classroom, follow the directions provided at https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/directions.htm to get to the Bear Valley Visitor Center. After turning off of Bear Valley Road, proceed up the two-lane, paved access road toward the Bear Valley Visitor Center. You will see the Red Barn on the left and after about 0.1 miles, there is a brown road sign pointing left to the Red Barn Classroom. Turn left on to the gravel driveway and proceed across the bridge to the parking lot. The Red Barn Classroom is on the end closest to this parking lot.

Schedule

Contact Information

Ashley McConnell
805-320-6225
Contact Us

Event Type

• Management/Planning
• Partner Program