Cindy Hitchcock
Cindy is a lead wildlife research biologist managing conservation and biodiversity studies across Southern California.
Cindy earned a Master of Science in Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno. She began as a biologist with USGS in 2001, tried consulting in 2008, but returned to government employment in 2016, amassing 15 years of service with USGS, WERC. She has developed extensive expertise in conservation biology, natural resource management, and ecological research. Her fieldwork has taken her to some of the most challenging and remote environments, where she conducts critical research to protect vulnerable species.
As a researcher, she coordinates complex scientific initiatives, leading teams of volunteer citizen scientists and student researchers while maintaining rigorous scientific standards. Her research portfolio includes comprehensive stream surveys, hydrological monitoring, and biodiversity assessments. A natural communicator and published scientist, she translates complex findings into both technical reports and peer-reviewed publications.
Professional Experience
Cindy works with threatened and endangered amphibian, reptile, and freshwater fish species, but her focus and preference have beenon amphibian conservation.
Cindy has been involved in translocation and captive rearing projects for the California red-legged and yellow-legged frogs, and created a ranking and scoring model for prioritizing arroyo toad sites for conservation.
Outside of USGS, her research has included leopard frog declines in Nevada and the role of color in mate choice of the red-eyed treefrog in Costa Rica.
Education and Certifications
Post-Baccalaureate, Physiology (2014), California State University, Northridge, CA; Human Anatomy, Physics I and II, Pierce College, CA (2014–15)
Master of Science, Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV (1999–2001)
Bachelor of Arts (cum laude), Studio Art, Biology minor, Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY (1989–93)
Science and Products
Biodiversity surveys of Wake Atoll—Featuring field guides for plants, arthropods, and herpetofauna Biodiversity surveys of Wake Atoll—Featuring field guides for plants, arthropods, and herpetofauna
IntroductionThe U.S. Air Force (USAF) issued funds to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to update the biosecurity plan, create a current (2019) flora and fauna species identification index, and do container evaluations for the presence of potential invasives. The current (2019) biosecurity protocols used for prevention were evaluated, and new biodiversity surveys were completed for...
Authors
Stacie A. Hathaway, James D. Jacobi, Robert Peck, Adam R. Backlin, Cynthia J. Hitchcock, Robert N. Fisher
Terrestrial mammal diversity at Hansen Dam (Los Angeles, California, USA): Flood control area acts as habitat in a human-dominated landscape Terrestrial mammal diversity at Hansen Dam (Los Angeles, California, USA): Flood control area acts as habitat in a human-dominated landscape
Urban expansion is a prominent threat to biodiversity, particularly for terrestrial mammals, which are significantly impacted by disruptions in habitat connectivity and loss. It can also lead to increased human‑wildlife conflicts that contribute to species decline. Urban public works projects, such as flood control areas, may coincidentally preserve significant habitat, but their...
Authors
Auxenia G. Privett-Mendoza, Stella Oganesyan, Robert N. Fisher, Cynthia Joan Hitchcock, Denise Clark, Amanda J. Zellmer
Taking the leap: A binational translocation effort to close the 420-km gap in the Baja California lineage of the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) Taking the leap: A binational translocation effort to close the 420-km gap in the Baja California lineage of the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii)
Conservation translocations, the human-mediated movement and release of a living organism for a conservation benefit, are increasingly recommended in species’ recovery plans as a technique for mitigating population declines or augmenting genetic diversity. However, translocation protocols for species with broad distributions may require regionally specific considerations to increase...
Authors
Susan North, Jonathan Q. Richmond, Frank E. Santana, Anny Peralta-García, Elizabeth Gallegos, Adam R. Backlin, Cynthia Joan Hitchcock, Bradford Hollingsworth, Jorge H. Valdez-Villavicencio, Zachary Principe, Robert N. Fisher, Clark S. Winchell
Range-wide persistence of the endangered arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) for 20+ years following a prolonged drought Range-wide persistence of the endangered arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) for 20+ years following a prolonged drought
Prolonged drought due to climate change has negatively impacted amphibians in southern California, U.S.A. Due to the severity and length of the current drought, agencies and researchers had growing concern for the persistence of the arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus), an endangered endemic amphibian in this region. Range-wide surveys for this species had not been conducted for at least...
Authors
Cynthia Joan Hitchcock, Elizabeth Gallegos, Adam R. Backlin, Russell Barabe, Peter H. Bloom, Kimberly Boss, Cheryl S. Brehme, Christopher W. Brown, Denise Clark, Elizabeth R. Clark, Kevin Cooper, Julie Donnell, Edward L Ervin, Peter Famolaro, Kim M. Guilliam, Jaquelyn Hancock, Nicholas Hess, Steven Howard, Valerie Hubbartt, Patrick Lieske, Robert E. Lovich, Tritia Matsuda, Katherin Meyer-Wilkins, Kamarul Muri, Barry Nerhus, Jeffrey A. Nordland, Brock Ortega, Robert Packard, Ruben Ramirez, Sam C. IV Stewart, Samuel Sweet, Manna L. Warburton, Jeffrey Wells, Ryan Winkleman, Kirsten Winter, Brian Zitt, Robert N. Fisher
Mitigation ponds offer drought resiliency for western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) populations Mitigation ponds offer drought resiliency for western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) populations
Synergistic effects of habitat loss, drought, and climate change exacerbate amphibian declines. In southern California urbanization continues to convert natural habitat, while prolonged drought reduces surface water availability. Protection of biodiversity may be provided through mitigation; however, the long-term effectiveness of different strategies is often unreported. As a mitigation...
Authors
Katherine L. Baumberger, Adam R. Backlin, Elizabeth Gallegos, Cynthia Joan Hitchcock, Robert N. Fisher
The precarious persistence of the endangered Sierra Madre yellow-legged frog <i>Rana muscosa</i> in southern California, USA The precarious persistence of the endangered Sierra Madre yellow-legged frog <i>Rana muscosa</i> in southern California, USA
We conducted surveys for the Endangered Sierra Madre yellow-legged frog Rana muscosa throughout southern California to evaluate the current distribution and status of the species. Surveys were conducted during 2000–2009 at 150 unique streams and lakes within the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Palomar mountains of southern California. Only nine small, geographically...
Authors
Adam R. Backlin, Cynthia J. Hitchcock, Elizabeth A. Gallegos, Julie L. Yee, Robert N. Fisher
Non-USGS Publications**
Hitchcock, C.J. 2001. The status and distribution of the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) in Nevada. MS Thesis, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, 114 pp.
Hitchcock, C.J., A.R. Backlin, K.L, Baumberger, S. Wenner, E.A. Gallegos, C.J. Rochester, and R.N. Fisher. 2025. Southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida). Chapter in Eds. M. O’Herron and M. Stewart, Nature Reserve of Orange County Ecological Health Assessment (accepted).
Hitchcock, C.J., K.L, Baumberger, B. Nerhus, and R.N. Fisher. 2025. Blainville’s horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii). Chapter in Eds. M. O’Herron and M. Stewart, Nature Reserve of Orange County Ecological Health Assessment (accepted).
Hitchcock, C.J., A.R. Backlin, C.J. Rochester, and R.N. Fisher. 2025. Orange-throated whiptail (Aspidoscelis hyperythrus). Chapter in Eds. M. O’Herron and M. Stewart, Nature Reserve of Orange County Ecological Health Assessment (accepted).
Hitchcock, C.J., K.L, Baumberger, E.A. Gallegos, C.J. Rochester, and R.N. Fisher. 2025. Western spadefoot (Spea hammondii). Chapter in Eds. M. O’Herron and M. Stewart, Nature Reserve of Orange County Ecological Health Assessment (accepted).
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Biodiversity surveys of Wake Atoll—Featuring field guides for plants, arthropods, and herpetofauna Biodiversity surveys of Wake Atoll—Featuring field guides for plants, arthropods, and herpetofauna
IntroductionThe U.S. Air Force (USAF) issued funds to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to update the biosecurity plan, create a current (2019) flora and fauna species identification index, and do container evaluations for the presence of potential invasives. The current (2019) biosecurity protocols used for prevention were evaluated, and new biodiversity surveys were completed for...
Authors
Stacie A. Hathaway, James D. Jacobi, Robert Peck, Adam R. Backlin, Cynthia J. Hitchcock, Robert N. Fisher
Terrestrial mammal diversity at Hansen Dam (Los Angeles, California, USA): Flood control area acts as habitat in a human-dominated landscape Terrestrial mammal diversity at Hansen Dam (Los Angeles, California, USA): Flood control area acts as habitat in a human-dominated landscape
Urban expansion is a prominent threat to biodiversity, particularly for terrestrial mammals, which are significantly impacted by disruptions in habitat connectivity and loss. It can also lead to increased human‑wildlife conflicts that contribute to species decline. Urban public works projects, such as flood control areas, may coincidentally preserve significant habitat, but their...
Authors
Auxenia G. Privett-Mendoza, Stella Oganesyan, Robert N. Fisher, Cynthia Joan Hitchcock, Denise Clark, Amanda J. Zellmer
Taking the leap: A binational translocation effort to close the 420-km gap in the Baja California lineage of the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) Taking the leap: A binational translocation effort to close the 420-km gap in the Baja California lineage of the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii)
Conservation translocations, the human-mediated movement and release of a living organism for a conservation benefit, are increasingly recommended in species’ recovery plans as a technique for mitigating population declines or augmenting genetic diversity. However, translocation protocols for species with broad distributions may require regionally specific considerations to increase...
Authors
Susan North, Jonathan Q. Richmond, Frank E. Santana, Anny Peralta-García, Elizabeth Gallegos, Adam R. Backlin, Cynthia Joan Hitchcock, Bradford Hollingsworth, Jorge H. Valdez-Villavicencio, Zachary Principe, Robert N. Fisher, Clark S. Winchell
Range-wide persistence of the endangered arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) for 20+ years following a prolonged drought Range-wide persistence of the endangered arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) for 20+ years following a prolonged drought
Prolonged drought due to climate change has negatively impacted amphibians in southern California, U.S.A. Due to the severity and length of the current drought, agencies and researchers had growing concern for the persistence of the arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus), an endangered endemic amphibian in this region. Range-wide surveys for this species had not been conducted for at least...
Authors
Cynthia Joan Hitchcock, Elizabeth Gallegos, Adam R. Backlin, Russell Barabe, Peter H. Bloom, Kimberly Boss, Cheryl S. Brehme, Christopher W. Brown, Denise Clark, Elizabeth R. Clark, Kevin Cooper, Julie Donnell, Edward L Ervin, Peter Famolaro, Kim M. Guilliam, Jaquelyn Hancock, Nicholas Hess, Steven Howard, Valerie Hubbartt, Patrick Lieske, Robert E. Lovich, Tritia Matsuda, Katherin Meyer-Wilkins, Kamarul Muri, Barry Nerhus, Jeffrey A. Nordland, Brock Ortega, Robert Packard, Ruben Ramirez, Sam C. IV Stewart, Samuel Sweet, Manna L. Warburton, Jeffrey Wells, Ryan Winkleman, Kirsten Winter, Brian Zitt, Robert N. Fisher
Mitigation ponds offer drought resiliency for western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) populations Mitigation ponds offer drought resiliency for western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) populations
Synergistic effects of habitat loss, drought, and climate change exacerbate amphibian declines. In southern California urbanization continues to convert natural habitat, while prolonged drought reduces surface water availability. Protection of biodiversity may be provided through mitigation; however, the long-term effectiveness of different strategies is often unreported. As a mitigation...
Authors
Katherine L. Baumberger, Adam R. Backlin, Elizabeth Gallegos, Cynthia Joan Hitchcock, Robert N. Fisher
The precarious persistence of the endangered Sierra Madre yellow-legged frog <i>Rana muscosa</i> in southern California, USA The precarious persistence of the endangered Sierra Madre yellow-legged frog <i>Rana muscosa</i> in southern California, USA
We conducted surveys for the Endangered Sierra Madre yellow-legged frog Rana muscosa throughout southern California to evaluate the current distribution and status of the species. Surveys were conducted during 2000–2009 at 150 unique streams and lakes within the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Palomar mountains of southern California. Only nine small, geographically...
Authors
Adam R. Backlin, Cynthia J. Hitchcock, Elizabeth A. Gallegos, Julie L. Yee, Robert N. Fisher
Non-USGS Publications**
Hitchcock, C.J. 2001. The status and distribution of the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) in Nevada. MS Thesis, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, 114 pp.
Hitchcock, C.J., A.R. Backlin, K.L, Baumberger, S. Wenner, E.A. Gallegos, C.J. Rochester, and R.N. Fisher. 2025. Southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida). Chapter in Eds. M. O’Herron and M. Stewart, Nature Reserve of Orange County Ecological Health Assessment (accepted).
Hitchcock, C.J., K.L, Baumberger, B. Nerhus, and R.N. Fisher. 2025. Blainville’s horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii). Chapter in Eds. M. O’Herron and M. Stewart, Nature Reserve of Orange County Ecological Health Assessment (accepted).
Hitchcock, C.J., A.R. Backlin, C.J. Rochester, and R.N. Fisher. 2025. Orange-throated whiptail (Aspidoscelis hyperythrus). Chapter in Eds. M. O’Herron and M. Stewart, Nature Reserve of Orange County Ecological Health Assessment (accepted).
Hitchcock, C.J., K.L, Baumberger, E.A. Gallegos, C.J. Rochester, and R.N. Fisher. 2025. Western spadefoot (Spea hammondii). Chapter in Eds. M. O’Herron and M. Stewart, Nature Reserve of Orange County Ecological Health Assessment (accepted).
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.