The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a draft recovery plan for the conservation and recovery of the Nipomo Mesa lupine, a federally endangered plant.
“This draft recovery plan is based on the best available science on the species’ biology, ecological needs, current condition and potential to persist in the future,” said Kristie Scarazzo, botanist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Ventura. “The plan outlines a series of strategic and systematic recovery actions aimed at reducing threats and promoting the species’ long-term viability.”
Nipomo Mesa lupine is a small, annual legume restricted to a stand of stabilized coastal sand dunes associated with the Nipomo Mesa, in southwestern San Luis Obispo County. The population consists of two colonies that are restricted to a two-square-mile area within the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes complex. The primary threats to the species are invasive veldt grass, development activities, seed predation, random or unpredictable loss due to natural disasters or diseases and climate change climate change
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Recovery plans are required for federally listed species and identify recovery actions that, when implemented, will achieve the plan’s goals for conservation and survival of the species.
The draft plan published in the Federal Register on June 17, 2021 opening a 30-day public comment period. The Service will consider comments from all interested parties received by July 19, 2021. Comments may be submitted by email to r8ventura-recoverycomments@fws.gov or U.S. mail to Field Supervisor, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road Suite B, Ventura CA, 93003 A copy of the draft recovery plan is available here.
Established in 1987, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ventura field office works to conserve and protect threatened and endangered fish, wildlife and plants across the southern and central California coast, collaborating with communities and conservation partners to build a future that supports both people and our unique and diverse natural landscapes. To stay up-to-date on the conservation work of our staff like us on Facebook.
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