Grassland birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, and other living things depend on the resources grassland plants and spaces provide.

Currently over 73 grassland-associated species are listed by the state & federal Endangered Species Acts: 14 vertebrates and 59 plants, and 14 invertebrates, including 6 butterfly species (1). This count does not even include native pollinators and other grassland-dependent plants and animals experiencing sharp declines.

1. Jantz, P. A., B. F. L. Preusser, et al. 2007. Regulatory protection and conservation. In: M. R. Stromberg, J. D. Corbin, and C. M. D’Antonio [eds.]. California grasslands: ecology and management. Berkeley, CA, USA: University of California Press. p. 297–318.