DRAFT Washington State Recovery Plan for the Western Gray Squirrel Mary J. Linders and Derek W. Stinson Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Wildlife Program 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, Washington 98501-1091 May 2006 In 1990, the Washington Wildlife Commission adopted procedures for listing and de-listing species as endangered, threatened, or sensitive and for writing recovery and management plans for listed species (WAC 232-12-297, Appendix B). The procedures, developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies, require preparation of recovery plans for species listed as threatened or endangered. Recovery, as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is the process by which the decline of an endangered or threatened species is arrested or reversed, and threats to its survival are neutralized, so that its long-term survival in nature can be ensured. This is the Draft Washington State Recovery Plan for the Western Gray Squirrel. It summarizes the historic and current distribution and abundance of western gray squirrels in Washington and describes factors affecting the population and its habitat. It prescribes strategies to recover the species, such as protecting the population and existing habitat, evaluating and restoring habitat, potential reintroduction of squirrels into vacant habitat, and initiating research and cooperative programs. Target population objectives and other criteria for reclassification are identified. As part of the State’s listing and recovery procedures, the draft recovery plan is available for a 90-day public comment period. Please submit written comments on this report by 15 August 2006 via e-mail to
[email protected] , or by mail to: Endangered Species Section Manager Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 600 Capitol Way North Olympia, WA 98501-1091 This report should be cited as: Linders, M.