Biological Resources
Ventura County is home to unique ecosystems and a diversity of plant and animal life. The Planning Division Biological Resources Program supports conservation of these plant and animal species through implementation of the County’s 2040 General Plan and Area Plans policies, through federal and state environmental regulations, the permitting and environmental review process, and in coordination with other agencies. Please see the links below to learn more about the program and to access tools that are useful for qualified biologists during environmental review.
Tools:
Biological Resources GIS Viewer
The Ventura County Biological Review GIS Viewer is the central location for biological spatial data and allows users to download and print maps.
Biological Resources Data List
Includes a useful list of publicly available data and tools posted by outside Agencies or organizations that are not in the GIS Viewer.
Biological Regulations Spreadsheet (coming soon)
This Excel document will include a compilation of the County’s biological policies and regulations and will be designed to be searchable by theme.
Program Webpages:
Ventura County Qualified Biologists
This webpage provides information for biological consultants regarding the Qualified Biologist Program.
Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors
Permitting requirements and resources for habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors.
Ventura County Locally Important Species
Learn more about Locally Important Species which are required to be evaluated in accordance with CEQA review.
Resources:
Permitting Resources for Project Design and Environmental Review
This webpage provides information for applicants and County approved Qualified Biologists to conduct biological resource assessments for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the County’s Local Coastal Program.
Outdoor Lighting Regulations
Information on County outdoor lighting restrictions.
Landscaping Resources
Resources for the installation of landscaping within the County.
Tree Permits and Protection
Before any protected tree is trimmed, removed, or encroached upon, property owners contact the Planning Division.
Announcements:
Posted: 04-01-25:
Spring Open Enrollment Period Closes for Qualified Biologists
The open enrollment window for new Qualified Biologists has closed. Please note, restoration ecologists may enroll year–round and existing Approved Qualified Biologists may update their qualifications as needed.
Posted: 01-10-25
Launch of the Biological Resources GIS Viewer
Posted: 11-5-24
Ventura County 2024-2025 Locally Important Species (LIS) Final Plant List and new LIS GIS Layers
In 2024-2025, there were no submissions to the LIS Animal List. However, three species were identified for removal in an early 2024 review bringing the list to eleven species. The species removed from the LIS list were the Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) California Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans occidentalis and the Ventura shoulderband snail (Helminthoglypta venturensis).
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) submitted two species in 2024-2025 for the County’s LIS plant list and one extirpated species, Lemmon’s Canarygrass (Phalaris lemoniid) or for the County’s watchlist that has not been seen since the development of the Mirror Lake area in Oakview (adjacent to what is now Mirror Lake Ave). The LIS Plant Committee met and reviewed the evidence presented for Diplacus bolanderi (otherwise known as Bolander’s Monkeyflower) and Layia hieracioides (also referred to as Tall Tidytips) and found that both plants met the LIS criteria for a locally rare species. Ten plant species currently on the LIS list were removed because they no longer met the LIS plant criteria. The ten species removed in 2024-2025 can be found in the LIS Webpage.
Upcoming Events:
The Planning Division is launching of a series of required training workshops in 2025 for Approved Qualified Biologists. The two training workshops will cover the County’s for ISBAs, CISBAs, policy and regulations, submission requirements, etc. Attendance at each of the two workshop topics will be required by the end of 2025 for each Approved Qualified Biologist. Attendees will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to the standards and guidance material covered in the workshops. Each workshop will have in-person and virtual attendance options. If you are a Qualified Biologist and have not received the email announcement, please contact Abigail.convery@ventura.org to sign up for the workshops listed below.
2025 Required Qualified Biologist Training Workshop Schedule
Biological Resource Regulations & Submission Requirements within the Non-Coastal Zone.
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 AM
Biological Resource Regulations & Submission Requirements within the Coastal Zone.
Date: Monday, September 15, 2025, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Contact Us
Abigail Convery
Staff Biologist
abigail.convery@venturacounty.gov
(805) 654-2489