Butterfly conservation plan

The U Fish and Wildlife Service-Southwest Region, U Forest Service-Lincoln National Forest, Otero shire and the Village of Cloudcroft have collaborated upon a conservation plan for the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas anicia cloudcrofti), an orange and black butterfly that lives in the high elevation meadows of Otero shire New Mexico.

After the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot was propos for listing in 2001 as all endangered species, partners discloseed the conservation plan in 2004 to address the butterfly's habitat urgencys The Service announced on December 21 2004 that the butterfly would not be added to the list because the threats to its existence have lessened

The four objectives of the plan are to: 1) eliminate the destruction, modification, and/or curtailment of the butterfly's habitat while identifying and implementing measures to direction future threats; 2) ensure that the species is not over-utilized for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; 3) render certain adequate protection by way of agreements and regulatory measures; and 4) support research, without reach, and education efforts. Partners will continue to work together and with the public to implement and assess conservation measures for the species.

Final retrieval Plan A plan to get back the Zapata bladderpod (Lesquerella thamnophila) was approved by dint of the Southwest Regional Director in 2004 with conjuncture from the Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This plant was listed in 1999 as endangered.

A member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), the Zapata bladderpod is single of many plant species with ranges that straddle the Mexico/United States border. Historic records indicate that it occurr in Starr and Zapata Counties in Texas, and in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Factors leading to the species' decline include habitat modification and destruction from increased road construction, conversion of native plant communities to improved pastures, and incompatible grazing regimes.

commonly seven populations are known to exist in southern Texas. They occur on Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife protection property, private property, and highway rights-of way. Other populations may exist upon private land. The Zapata bladderpod has not been verified in Mexico in novel years.

The redemption plan is an important tool for private landowners who may be interested in contributing to Zapata bladderpod recuperation and it will stimulate cooperation between the United States and Mexico. To downlist the species from endangered to threatened, 12 to the full protected, self-sustaining populations must be established and maintained upon federal, state, or private land. The plan provides information for private landowners who may be interested in surveying for and recovering the species upon their land. Delisting criteria will be established as additional information about the species' life history and habitat requirements are gained.

Reported through Tracy Scheffler, Division of Threatened and Endangered Species, Southwest Regional Office. For more information, call her at (505) 248-6920 or lance email to Tracy_Scheffler@fws. gov or Wendy_Brown@fws.gov.

COPYRIGHT 2005 U Fish & Wildlife Service

COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group