Mind your footprint! Butte County's countryside is home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife that contribute not only to its rural ambience but also to the investment rural residents make in their property.

Wildlife has close relationships to the plant communities that comprise their particular habitat. How and where development occurs in the rural County - the development 'footprint' - will have a crucial impact on the health and survival of the many plant and animal species that share the land with you. Wetlands, riparian (streamside) communities, and oak woodlands provide especially valuable habitat for many wildlife species and are protected by specific federal and state laws. Plan your construction to avoid these important habitats - if avoidance is not possible, you may be required to mitigate for lost habitat.

Butte County is home to some of California's few remaining migrating deer herds and has particular policies limiting parcel sizes in deer herd migration corridors in order to protect their survival.
Enjoy the wildlife - but keep your distance. Discourage scavengers such as skunks, raccoons, rats, coyotes and bear by feeding all pets indoors and stashing your trash in secure containers.

Don't let your pets roam! Dogs and cats pose a significant threat to birds, reptiles and mammals by preying upon them. Coyotes, snakes and mountain lions may, in turn, be dangerous for your pets.