San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) Board members on Thursday released the 2023 San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan (SJMSCP) Annual Report for review by state and federal fish and wildlife agencies.

SJCOG, through its nonprofit arm SJCOG Inc., administers the SJMSCP created by a coalition of government agencies, developers, landowners and environmentalists to balance land conservation and development, while looking out for the county’s agricultural economy and landowner rights.

One of the first of its kind in California when it began in 2001, the SJMSCP also provides for the long-term management of nearly 100 plant, fish and wildlife species in San Joaquin County, especially those listed or may be listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act or the California Endangered Species Act.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will review the annual report and comment by mid- to late-summer.

Read the annual report by visiting the Habitat Program’s Plan Documents webpage.