Comment Period Extended for Bi‐State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage‐Grouse
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service extends the public comment period until February 10, 2014, on the proposal to protect the Bi‐State Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of greater sage‐grouse along the California‐Nevada border as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Learn more
Bi-State Distinct Population Segment of Greater Sage-Grouse Proposed for Protection under Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to protect the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of greater sage-grouse along the California-Nevada border as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposal includes a special rule that would provide increased flexibility for land management practices that are intended to benefit the sage-grouse. Proposed rule Bi-State DPS Video Learn more
Proposed Rule to List the Western Distinct Population Segment of the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo as a Threatened Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list the western distinct population segment of the yellow-billed cuckoo as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and seeks Public Comments by December 2, 2013. Learn more
Service Protects the Mount Charleston Blue Butterfly under the Endangered Species Act. Five similar butterfly species will not be listed
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that the Mount Charleston blue butterfly will be given federal protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Mount Charleston blue butterfly is in danger of becoming extinct in the foreseeable future. Learn more
Statement Regarding Media Reports on Status of Desert Tortoise at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center in Nevada
Recent media reports regarding the status of desert tortoises at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center (DTCC) have implied that the FWS is currently euthanizing desert tortoises at the facility. We want the public to know that the FWS is not euthanizing healthy tortoises. Learn more
Proposed Listing and Proposed Critical Habitat for Webber’s Ivesia. Not Warranted Determination for Soldier Meadow Cinquefoil
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today, a proposal to protect Webber’s ivesia (Ivesia
webberi) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service is proposing to designate 2,011 acres of critical habitat for Webber’s ivesia in Washoe and Douglas Counties in Nevada, and in Lassen, Plumas, and Sierra
Counties in California. The Service also determined the threat of extinction no longer exists for the Soldier Meadow
cinquefoil (Potentilla basaltica) and it will be removed from the list of candidate species. Learn more..
Devils Hole Pupfish 2013 Spring Population Survey
Devils Hole pupfish counts on April 6-7 of this year indicate the population has declined since the spring of 2012. Counts this spring estimate 35 observable pupfish. Spring population survey results are typically 40-60 percent lower than the preceding fall count, which last fall was an estimated 75 fish. Learn more..
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Releases Report To Help Guide Greater sage-grouse Conservation Objectives
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is making available a final report that is designed to help guide the efforts of the States and other partners to conserve the greater sage-grouse with a landscape level strategy. The report, prepared by state and federal scientists and sage-grouse experts, identifies the conservation status of the greater sage-grouse, the nature of the threats facing the species, and objectives to ensure its long-term conservation. Read more...
Report To Help Guide Greater sage-grouse Conservation Objectives (2.5MB PDF)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes to List Wolverines as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act-- Proposed Rule would not affect recreation, timber harvest or other activities if species is listed as threatened
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today, in response to a court-ordered deadline, that it is seeking information from the scientific community and the public on a proposal to protect the North American wolverine as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service is also seeking comment on two proposed special rules designed to facilitate management and recovery of the species should it receive protection. Read more...
Federal and State Wildlife Officials Urge Keeping Wild Tortoises Wild and Captive Tortoises Captive
Pet Tortoise Pick-Up Service Ends Desert tortoises have lived in the area that is now the Mojave Desert for millions of years. Today, they are rarely seen in the wild and in some places have disappeared entirely. Even though desert tortoise populations have declined in the wilds of the harsh desert, captive pet tortoises have been able to thrive with regular food and water. Their longevity and the uncontrolled breeding of captive tortoises has resulted in thousands of unwanted pets, many of which have been brought to the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center. Read more...
Service Identifies Important Habitat for Recovery of Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
As part of its ongoing efforts to conserve our nation’s most imperiled species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has identified riparian lands that are important for the recovery of the southwestern willow flycatcher. This small songbird, which nests in vegetation along rivers and streams or other wetlands, is known to occur only in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah, and has been listed as endangered since 1995 under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Read more...
Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPaC) will be used to issue official species list requests for threatened, endangered, and candidate species.
The Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office is pleased to announce we began issuing official species list requests for threatened, endangered, and candidate species through the Information, Planning, and Conservation System (also known as IPaC) starting December 14, 2012. This National system is designed for easy, public access to species information for both private citizens and agency employees to assist in determining how their activities may impact sensitive natural resources. To learn more about IPaC. Photo Credit: USFWS Read More...
The elongate Mud Meadows springsnail, a freshwater snail native to Soldier Meadows in Nevada, is one of three species to be removed from candidate status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The change in status for the springsnail announced this month as part of a yearly appraisal of the status of plants and animals called a Candidate Notice of Review which considers candidates for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Photo Credit: Matt Varner - BLM
Read More... (1.7MB PDF)
Winter 2012 News Letter - Moapa dace, Phainopepla day, Native Fish, Invasive Species, Species listing, Greater sage-grouse and more...
Moapa Dace Numbers Up; Have a Phainopepla Day; Wildfires Impact Native Fish; An Invasive Spiral; Conserving Monte Neva Paintbrush; New Improved Process for Project Species List Requests; Nevada's Greater sage-grouse Conservation; and a message from the State Supervisor. Photo Caption: Winter Newsletter. Credit: USFWS
Read More... (1.7MB PDF)
Inside This Issue:
Nevada Partners Recognized For Conservation 2-4;
A Passion For Amargosa Toads 5;
Keep Wild Tortoises Wild and Captive Tortoises Captive 6-7;
GIS Staff Honored By Peers 7;
A Message From The State Supervisor 8. Photo Caption: Summer Newsletter . Credit: USFWS Read More... (1.7MB PDF)
Service proposes to protect the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly and five similar butterflies under the Endangered Species Act. Agency seeks information from the public, scientific community before making final decision
LAS VEGAS - Current evidence suggests that the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly is in danger of becoming extinct in the foreseeable future, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. As a result, the Service proposes to protect the species under the Endangered Species Act, and is seeking new information from the public and the scientific community that will assist the agency in making a final determination. Photo Caption: Mt. Charleston blue butterfly (Plebejus shasta charlestonensis). Credit: USFWS News Release
About the Mt Charleston Blue butterfly
Endangered Species Act protection not warranted for Spring Mountains acastus checkerspot butterfly
LAS VEGAS - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has determined that the Spring Mountains acastus checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne acastus robusta) does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The Service’s decision will be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, September 27, 2012. Photo Caption: Spring Mountains acastus checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne acastus robusta). Credit: USFWS
News Release
About the Spring Mountains Acastus Checkerspot Butterfly
Partners Honored For Conservation
LAS VEGAS - Seven groups and three individuals will be
honored today by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) for their
unique partnership which brought together private individuals
and landowners, mining, off road racers local business,
local government, conservation groups and the federal
government to conserve one of Nevada’s endemic toad species,
the Amargosa toad. Photo
Caption: David Spicer. Credit: USFWS
News
Release
12 Month Status Review of Four Great Basin Butterflies Finds Listing Not Warranted
The
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), today, announced that listing the Baking Powder Flat blue butterfly (Euphilotes
bernardino minuta), bleached sandhill skipper
(Polites sabuleti sinemaculata), Steptoe Valley crescentspot (Phyciodes
cocyta arenacolor),
and White River Valley skipper (Hesperia uncas grandiose) as either threatened or endangered under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) is not warranted after completing a thorough review of all available
scientific and commercial information. Photo Caption: Butterfly. Credit: USFWS
News
Release
Federal
Register
Frequently
Asked Questions
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is making available a draft report that is designed to help guide the efforts of the States and other partners to conserve the greater sage-grouse with a landscape level strategy that will benefit the species while maintaining a robust economy in the West. The report, prepared by state and federal scientists and sage-grouse experts, identifies the conservation status of the sage-grouse, the nature of the threats facing the species, and objectives to ensure its long-term conservation. Photo Caption: Greater sage-grouse. Credit: USFWSNews Release
Read More...
The The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will conduct in-depth status reviews of two Spring Mountains dark blue butterflies (Euphilotes ancilla purpura and Euphilotes ancilla cryptica) to determine whether the two species warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). Additionally, the Service will not conduct an in-depth status review of the Morand's checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas anicia morandi). Photo Caption: Butterfly. Credit: USFWSNews Release
Federal Register
Frequently Asked Questions
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced that four species of sand dune beetles in Nye County, Nevada, do not warrant federal protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The four dune beetle species are the Crescent Dunes aegialian scarab (Aegialia crescenta), Crescent Dunes serican scarab (Sercia ammomenisco), large aegialian scarab (Aegialia magnifica), and Giuliani's dune scarab (Pseudocotalpa giulianii). The decision, known as a 12-month finding, was published in today's edition of the Federal Register. Photo Caption: Giuliani's dune scarab (Pseudocotalpa giulianii). Credit: Brian Novosak/USFWS Click here for more photos (flickr) News Release
Federal Register
Frequently Asked Questions
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is again seeking comment on its
proposed revision of critical habitat for an endangered migratory bird,
the southwestern willow flycatcher. The Service's August 15, 2011, proposed
revision identified 2,090 stream miles within the 100-year floodplain of
waters in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico as
critical habitat. Of the total proposal, approximately 902 stream miles
are currently being considered for exclusion from the final critical habitat
designation. The Service announces two additional proposed locations in
Arizona and six additional areas now under consideration for exclusion from
designation. The Service also announces the availability of a draft economic
analysis of the critical habitat proposal, a draft environmental assessment,
and a public hearing. The Service is seeking comment through
September 10, 2012. Photo
Caption: Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Credit: Bill Maynard, New Mexico
Department of Game and FishRead More about the Southwestern Willow flycatcher...
A
petition seeking to protect the American black bear (Ursus americanus)
in Nevada under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) does not contain substantial
scientific data indicating the petitioned action may be warranted. Today's
decision, commonly known as a 90-day finding, is based on scientific
information about the species provided in the petition and other scientific
information in the agency's files. Photo
Caption: American Black bear. Credit: Aaron Meier, NDOWRead More about the American Black bear...
New
Greater sage-grouse photos and videos are available
for downloading and viewing. Photos are available
on our Pacific
Southwest flickr page (external link) and videos
are available on the Nevada
Fish and Wildlife Service Video Page. Photo
Caption: Greater sage-grouse. Credit: USFWSRead More about the Greater sage-grouse...
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today that it has
completed its evaluation of a petition requesting the agency list either
the Eastern population or Southern Rocky Mountain population of the
boreal toad as a threatened or endangered distinct population segment
(DPS) under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). (PDF external link) Photo
Caption: boreal toad from Colorado. Credit: USFWS Read More...
The
Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), the Bureau of Land Management
(BLM), and the United States Forest Service (USFS) have completed a
set of sage-grouse habitat maps which will be used as planning tools
for the management of greater sage-grouse and its habitat in Nevada.NDOW's Greater Sage-grouse Habitat Categorization Map is an analysis tool that incorporates the best available data (lek observations, telemetry locations, survey and inventory reports, vegetation cover, soils information, and aerial photography) into a statewide prioritization of greater sage-grouse habitat. This tool provides resource managers with information to guide conservation and land-use planning efforts in the context of greater sage-grouse management at the landscape scale. Photo Caption: Greater Sage-Grouse Map. Credit: Nevada Department of Fish and Wildlife
Read More...
Maps
Nevada Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Categorization Map (1MB PDF)
Nevada BLM and USFS Surface Management and Greater Sage-Grouse PUM Map (1.7MB PDF)
Innovative
partnership preserves working lands and supports efforts
of private landowners to conserve habitat for at-risk
speciesAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced a new $33 million partnership with farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to use innovative approaches to restore and protect the habitats for wildlife, including seven at-risk species and other vulnerable game species.
The announcement of the Working Lands for Wildlife partnership follows last week's White House Conference on Conservation that spotlighted community-driven conservation efforts as part of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative. Photo Caption: Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Credit: Bill Maynard, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Read More...
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today
that Edward (Ted) Koch (pronounced "cook")
has been selected as the new State Supervisor for the
Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office. Koch will be supervising
all the Service's ecological services programs in Nevada
which includes offices located in both Reno and Las
Vegas.
Koch has 23 years of experience with the Service, most recently as the Service's Bull Trout Coordinator in Boise, Idaho. Koch has a B.S. in Environmental Biology from Southern Connecticut State University and an M.S. in Zoology from Idaho State University.
“Ted brings a wealth of knowledge
and experience in wildlife conservation to the Nevada
Fish and Wildlife Office,” said Pacific Southwest
Region Director Ren Lohoefener. “I had the great
pleasure of working with Ted on Idaho and Pacific
Northwest issues and I know he will help us work
with the State, Tribes, and all other partners to
resolve the conservation issues we face today and
tomorrow in Nevada and the Pacific Southwest.” Photo
Caption: Edward (Ted) Koch. Credit: USFWS
News
Release
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced
today that it has completed a status review, also
known as a 12-month finding, of the northern leatherside
chub, and concluded it does not warrant protection
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We made this
finding after a thorough review of all the available
scientific and commercial information regarding the
status of the northern leatherside chub and threats
to the species.The northern leatherside chub (Lepidomeda copei) is a small desert fish in the minnow family that occurs in northern Utah and Nevada, southern and eastern Idaho, and western Wyoming. Current populations are found in the Bear, Snake, and Green River drainages. Its common name comes from the leathery appearance created by small scales on a trim, tapering body. Northern leatherside chub occur in small desert streams between elevations of approximately 4,100 and 9,000 feet, with low to moderate velocities. They have relatively broad diets, eating items in both the stream drift and the substrate, with insects comprising a large portion of diet. Photo Caption: Northern leatherside chub. Credit: Paul Chase / Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, USFS
News Release
Frequently Asked Questions
The
northern leopard frog does not warrant federal protection as a threatened
or endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
announced today. The announcement is the result of an evaluation of
the status of the northern leopard frogs its 19-state western range
The Service was petitioned in 2006 to add the western U.S. population of the northern leopard frog to the list of threatened species protected under the Endangered Species Act. Under the Endangered Species Act, animal populations that are discrete, significant and threatened can be considered for protection as a “distinct population segment” (DPS). Genetic data analyzed indicates that, while there are genetic differences among leopard frogs, the populations are not markedly separate. Therefore, the western U.S. populations do not qualify as a DPS. Photo Caption: Northern leopard frog. Credit: Laurie Averill-Murray
News Release
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Northern leopard frog
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced that four butterfly
species native to the Great Basin of Nevada may warrant federal protection
as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). Today's decision, commonly known as a 90-day finding, is based on scientific information about the species provided in a petition requesting protection of the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and in the Service's files. The Service will now undertake a more thorough status review of the butterflies – the Baking Powder Flat blue butterfly (Euphilotes bernardino minuta), bleached sandhill skipper (Polites sabuleti sinemaculata), Steptoe Valley crescentspot (Phyciodes cocyta arenacolor), and White River Valley skipper (Hesperia uncas grandiosa) – to determine whether to propose adding the species to the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Photo Caption: Butterfly. Credit: USFWS
News Release
Federal Register
Frequently Asked Questions
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced it will conduct
an in-depth status review of 32 Great Basin and Mojave Desert springsnails
to determine if any or all of them warrant federal protection as a threatened
or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Today's decision, commonly known as a 90-day finding, is based on scientific information in the Service's files and provided in a petition requesting the listing of 42 species of Great Basin and Mojave Desert springsnails in Nevada, Utah, and California as threatened or endangered with the designation of critical habitat under the ESA. Photo Caption: Springsnails. Credit: USFWS
News Release
Federal Register
Frequently Asked Questions
A
Revised Recovery Plan for the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus
agassizii) is now available. The Plan takes a new
approach to reversing declines in Mojave desert tortoise
populations through a coordinated effort of science-based
implementation and evaluation of conservation actions.
The revised recovery strategy is a reflection of years
of hard work by multiple stakeholders and reflects the
need to adapt recovery of the desert tortoise to often
changing management needs. This Plan recognizes the need to adjust to the accelerating pace of environmental change, and its impact on key resource management issues, such as corridors and connectivity. This Plan will be a living document and resource managers will be able to update the Plan as it is being implemented with conservation measures that will help the desert tortoise recover. Photo Caption: Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Credit: DTRO/USFWS
News Release
Frequently Asked Questions
2011 Revised Recovery Plan (5.7 MB PDF)
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to revise critical
habitat for an endangered migratory bird, the southwestern willow flycatcher. The proposed revision identifies 2,090 stream miles within the 100-year floodplain of waters in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico as critical habitat. Of the total proposal, approximately 779 stream miles are currently being considered for exclusion from the final critical habitat designation. The Service is seeking input on the proposal, including exclusions, through October 14, 2011. Photo Caption: Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii). Credit: Suzanne Langridge, USGS
News Release
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that four sand dune beetles
may warrant federal protection as a threatened or endangered species following
review of a petition from Wild Earth Guardians seeking to protect six
Nevada sand dune beetles. The sand dune beetles are known to occur only
on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at Crescent
Dunes, Big Dune and Lava Dune in Nye County, Nevada. The Service also
found that the petition did not present substantial scientific or commercial
information to warrant listing of two of the sand dune beetles included
in the petition. Photo Caption: Giuliani's
dune scarab (Pseudocotalpa giulianii). Credit: Brian Novosak/USFWSNews Release
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today
it has determined the whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis)
warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA),
but that adding the species to the Federal List of Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is precluded by the
need to address other listing actions of a higher priority. Photo
Caption: Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis). Credit:
Richard SniezkoNews Release
About the Whitebark pine
U.S.
Geological Survey announced today, that a new study shows that the desert
tortoise, thought to be one species for the past 150 years, now includes
two separate and distinct species, based on DNA evidence and biological
and geographical distinctions. Photo Caption:
Morafka's desert tortoise (Gopherus morfkai)--new species. Credit:
For more information
Approximately
250 school children from Katherine Dunn, Glenn Duncan and Robert Mitchell
Elementary Schools rotated through hands-on activities at McCarran Ranch
Preserve to lean about the importance of conservation and their local
environment at this year's Truckee River Environmental Education Day. Photo
Caption: U.S. Fish & Wildlife tent at McCarran Ranch Preserve. Credit:
USFWS Truckee River Environmental Education Day (7.88MB Video)
Quagga
and zebra mussels are invasive freshwater mollusks (bivalves) that infest
waters in large numbers, attaching to a variety of surfaces. These mussels
clog water pipes, intake valves, engine cooling systems on boats, and
cause drastic changes to the environments they invade. Follow this link
to learn more about quagga and zebra mussels and how you can help prevent
the spread of these aggressive invaders. Photo Caption: Quagga
mussels. Credit USFWS Download a Quagga Mussel Pamphlet (1.61MB PDF)
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will conduct
an in-depth status review of the Spring Mountains acastus
checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne acastus robusta) to
determine if it warrants federal protection as a threatened
or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA or Act). Photo Caption:
Spring Mountains acastus checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne
acastus robusta). Credit: USFWS News Release
About the Spring Mountains Acastus Checkerspot Butterfly
The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has determined
that the Mt. Charleston blue butterfly (Plebejus
shasta charlestonensis) (formerly
in the genus Icaricia ) warrants protection
under the Endangered Species Act, but that adding
the subspecies to the Federal Lists of Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants is precluded by
the need to complete other listing actions of a higher
priority. Photo Caption: Mt. Charleston blue
butterfly (Plebejus shasta charlestonensis).
Credit: USFWS News Release
About the Mt Charleston Blue butterfly
The
tribe has partnered with the Service and an interagency
team to preserve and restore habitat of the Railroad Valley
springfish. Ultimately they have become the fish's biggest
champions. They have worked tirelessly to restore, protect
and reintroduce the fish. Because of their dedication, they
were selected as one of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's 2010
Recovery Champions. Photo Caption: Recovery Champions. Credit:
USFWS Learn More... (Facebook)