CCAA set to help landowners with potential hognose listing
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed Endangered Species Act listing for the Southern Hognose, a cryptic snake found in the Red Hills and across the Southeast, which has faced severe population declines. Because it burrows underground, the potential for it to become a listed species could impact ground disturbing land management activities. Tall Timbers is providing comments during the process to better define acceptable land management practices that cause significant soil disturbance, such as stumping, root raking, and roller chopping.
Fortunately, Tall Timbers has already worked diligently on a plan for when such species are proposed for federal listing. In 2023, we helped launch the Quail Country Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA), a voluntary agreement that encourages landowners to continue to enhance habitat for a dozen covered species, including the Hognose, and in return, avoid further regulatory oversight should the species require additional protection under the Endangered Species Act. We are working to connect with more landowners to enroll them in the agreement. Enrollment must occur prior to the species being federally listed. Anyone interested should contact Biological Monitoring Coordinator Kim Sash at [email protected].