ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments on the draft recovery plan for swale paintbrush, an endangered plant. The recovery plan’s goal is to recover the species so that it no longer needs protection under the Endangered Species Act. The 30-day comment period begins today and closes on April 23, 2026.
Swale paintbrush is an annual flowering plant with stems that reach up to 8 to 20 inches (20 to 50 centimeters) in height. It grows within seasonally wet grasslands in the extreme southwest corner of New Mexico. Swale paintbrush was listed as endangered in 2024. Threats to the species include habitat conversion and loss, drought, fire, grazing, trampling and illegal collection
Swale paintbrush was historically known to occur at 13 sites: two sites in Hidalgo County, New Mexico, and 11 sites in the states of Chihuahua and Durango in Mexico. Today, the species is only known to occur at one site in Hidalgo County. The geographic scope of this recovery plan includes the species’ historical range in the U.S. and Mexico.
This draft recovery plan describes actions that are considered necessary for the recovery of the species, establishes delisting criteria, and estimates the time and cost to implement these recovery actions. Specific recovery actions include promoting awareness and conservation of swale paintbrush, researching the species and habitat, implementing a monitoring plan, and improving knowledge about threats to the species. Additional recovery actions for swale paintbrush include conserving current and future habitats, increasing the size and number of plant populations, growing individuals at conservation facilities, and reintroducing plants to suitable sites.
The Service, in collaboration with tribes, stakeholders and partners, develops and implements recovery plans to support the conservation and recovery of endangered and threatened species. These are not regulatory documents, and implementation of actions is not required by the ESA. Instead, recovery plans serve as road maps with specific management actions to foster cooperation in conservation for listed species and their ecosystems.
The Service encourages the public, federal and state agencies, tribes and other stakeholders to review the draft recovery plan for swale paintbrush and provide comments. Submit comments by mail to the New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, 2105 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113 or by email at nmesfo@fws.gov.
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