Environmental Services for The Conservation Center for Wildlife Care

FCS provided environmental compliance, permitting, and technical support services for a proposed Conservation Center for Wildlife Care in Saratoga, California. Located on a 160-acre property donated by the Larry Ellison Foundation, the project would support wildlife rehabilitation, imperiled species breeding programs, and environmental education initiatives designed to help conserve a native California wildlife.

The proposed facility includes multiple buildings, wildlife enclosures, access improvements, utilities, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure. FCS has supported the project from the initial environmental review process through permitting, entitlement support, and implementation, helping the client navigate complex regulatory requirements associated with developing a conservation-focused facility within a biologically sensitive setting.

The Challenge: Advancing a Conservation Facility Within a Sensitive Environmental Setting

The client wanted to establish a modern Conservation Center for Wildlife Care that would provide rehabilitation services for injured and orphaned wildlife, breeding programs for imperiled species, and educational opportunities for the public.

Because the site contains sensitive biological and cultural resources, the client needed assistance navigating environmental review and permitting requirements while identifying opportunities to streamline approvals. The project required careful consideration of special-status species, wetlands and riparian habitats, invasive species, and other environmental constraints that could affect facility design, permitting timelines, mitigation requirements, and project costs.

The client also sought guidance during project planning to help avoid sensitive areas wherever possible and facilitate a more efficient approval process.

The Solution: Integrating Environmental Planning, Permitting, and Compliance to Support Project Design

FCS provided technical studies and environmental planning support beginning with the project's original application submittal and continued assisting the client throughout environmental review, entitlement processing, permitting, and implementation. The technical studies addressed biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, and noise.

To help streamline approvals and reduce permitting costs, FCS identified environmentally sensitive areas that could be avoided through project design modifications. Information developed through the biological resources analysis helped guide site planning and reduce potential impacts to sensitive habitats and species.

Beyond the initial environmental review, FCS supported the project through:

• Preparation of biological and regulatory compliance documentation, including a Biological Assessment, state and federal permit applications, and wetlands, waters of the U.S., and riparian habitat compliance support
• Development of habitat management strategies, including an Invasive Species Management Plan, non-native species removal program, and revegetation planning
• Regulatory Compliance support for special-status species, including California’s red-legged frog, western pond turtle, San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat, and special-status bat species
• Entitlement review, agency coordination, project management, and implementation support
• Worker Environmental Awareness Program development and biological construction monitoring to support compliance with permit conditions

Throughout the process, FCS worked collaboratively with the client and project team to identify challenges early, develop practical solutions, and facilitate project advancement while protecting sensitive environmental resources.

Results and Deliverables

By identifying environmental constraints early and incorporating those considerations into project planning, FCS helped support a more efficient path through environmental review, permitting, and agency coordination. The team's work informed site design decisions that reduced potential impacts to sensitive resources and helped avoid additional permitting and mitigation requirements where possible. 

Key deliverables included:

• Biological and Cultural Resources Technical Reports
• Air Quality and Noise Technical Studies
• Biological Assessment and supporting regulatory permit applications
• Invasive Species Management Plan and Revegetation Plan
• Worker Environmental Awareness Program
• Biological construction monitoring report

Through ongoing coordination with the project team and resource agencies, FCS helped advance a conservation-focused project that supports wildlife rehabilitation, imperiled species recovery, and environmental education while protecting sensitive natural resources.