Western Spadefoot Toad Granted “Candidate” Species Status Under The California Endangered Species Act

At its August 12-13, 2026 meeting, the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) unanimously found that a petition to list the western spadefoot toad (Spea hammondii) as threatened throughout its northern population range and endangered throughout its southern population range provides sufficient scientific information to indicate that the petitioned action may be warranted. The Commission’s decision designates the western spadefoot as a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). CESA’s take protections will apply once the statutory notice process is completed (likely later in August or in September of this year). Once applicable, candidate species generally receive the same protections against unauthorized take as species formally listed as threatened or endangered.