Photo: Turbinate Sand-Verbena (Abronia Turbinata). © 2005 Steve Matson. There are 2 known occurrences of turbinate sand-verbena in Ventura County.
The Ventura County General Plan identifies Locally Important Species as significant biological resources to be protected from incompatible land uses and development (see Goal COS-1 and Policy 1.1). To ensure consistent identification of Locally Important Species, the listing criteria and process are established in the Biological Resources Section of the Initial Study Assessment Guidelines. Together the General Plan and Initial Study Assessment Guidelines require that Locally Important Species be included in all biological resource assessments for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review.
The Locally Important Plants and Animals lists can be found using the links below. If you think a species should be added or removed, please see the bottom of this page for more details on how to update the Locally Important Species Lists.
Locally Important Animals
Locally Important Plants
Annual List Update
California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) were added to Ventura County’s Locally Important Animal Species List in 2022 because there is less than 2,000 acres of spawning habitat to sustain their declining populations.
The Planning Division maintains a list of plants and animals that meet the criteria for Locally Important Species and updates the list on an annual basis if changes are warranted.
Proposals for additions to or removals from the Locally Important Species List may be submitted by filling out a Ventura County Locally Important Species Data Form below and by submitting that form to the Planning Division. It should include citations for the sources of information that support statements about a species’ populations, range, important habitats, and status. Species Data Forms will thus be accepted from now through July 31st and reviewed for the 2023 update of the Locally Important Species List.
- Criteria for Locally Important Species
- Procedure for Updating the Locally Important Species List
- Animal Data Form
- Plant Data Form
Data forms can be emailed to Abigail Convery at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailed to the Planning Division at 800 S. Victoria Ave. L#1740, Venutra, CA 93009-1740 with attention to Abigail Convery.