Stories from - New Mexico
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Many Hands Makes Small Work: New stream crossing benefits people and native fishes
It's fair to say that they earned an honest sweat—one boulder at a time... Read More
Stories from - New Mexico
View All StoriesPartnership Recovers Endangered Fish and Allows for Water Development
The Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker once thrived in the San Juan River, a major tributary of the Colorado River in northwestern New Mexico... Read More
Stories from - New Mexico
View All StoriesHoly Ghost Ipomopsis Successful Recovery Actions
The Holy Ghost ipomopsis (Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus) is an endangered perennial plant found only in Holy Ghost Canyon in the Pecos Mountains near... Read More
Featured Species in New Mexico
Southwestern willow flycatcher
Because of river flow reductions and habitat alteration and loss, the southwestern willow flycatcher teeters on the brink of extinction.
Southwestern willow flycatcher.
Photo credit: Jim Rorabaugh, USFWS
Gila trout
Gila trout was extirpated from Arizona around 1900, but has recently been repatriated. Threats to the species include loss of habitat, hybridization with introduced rainbow trout, and predation by exotic brown trout.
Gila trout.
Photo credit: USFWS
Chiricahua leopard frog
The most serious threats to this species include predation by non-native organisms, especially bullfrogs, fishes, and crayfish; and an apparently introduced fungal skin disease (chytridomycosis or "Bd") that is killing frogs and toads around the globe.
Chiricahua leopard frog.
Photo credit: Jim Rorabaugh, USFWS
Rio Grande silvery minnow
The Rio Grande silvery minnow was historically one of the most abundant and widespread fishes in the Rio Grande Basin, occurring from Espaola, New Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico, but now only survives in a 170-mile stretch in New Mexico.
Rio Grande silvery minnow.
Photo credit: Aimee Roberson, USFWS
Partnership Stories in New Mexico
A Century of Conservation
Though not the main focus of this video, which recognizes the achievements of the Department of Game and Fish during the first century of statehood, the Gila trout was one of the original species identified under the first list of endangered species. More »
Found in New Mexico
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The Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) is just as described—a small, silvery fish that lives in the Rio Grande, from Little Box Canyon to Amistad Dam; and in the Pecos River, from its confluence with Independence Creek to its confluence with the Rio Grande. This fish is considered to be one of the most endangered fish in the country due to dramatic changes to the Rio Grande watershed in the past decades. Today, innovative partnerships with Tribal and non-government groups are leading the charge to help restore this species.
Photo credit: Aimee Roberson, USFWS -
Found only in Carlsbad Caverns National Park in Eddy County, the Lee pincushion cactus (Coryphantha sneedii var. leei) is threatened by commercial and private collectors, habitat destruction and degradation, and natural threats such as wildfire. This rare cactus only grows on north-facing exposures of the Tansil Limestone Formation and is sensitive to trampling from grazing animals.
Photo credit: Gary A.Monroe