Project abstract summary in 1993, the delhi sands flower-loving fly (rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis DSF) waslisted as endangered due to loss of habitat

More than 95 percent of DSF habitat has been eliminated by commercial and residential development. The remnant colton dunes ecosystem still existing represents a hot-spot of biological diversity, however, IT is subject to a variety ofthreats including the spread of invasive plant species, trash dumping, and lack of public knowledge and support. RLC holds and manages approximately 92 acres of DSF habitat that was conserved with limited long-term management funding. Over the past decade, with available funding, RLC has developed successful dune habitat restoration strategies based on adaptive management techniques, research, and other successful land manager techniques. With additional funding our efforts could be scaled up to restore more DSF habitat and enhance recovery efforts for the species. Rapid response is also necessary to protect habitat values from threats and this funding would allow US to conduct frequent site monitoring to reduce current threats and swiftly remediate their impacts, and to increase public education and outreach to mitigate future threats. The objective of the project is to use approximately $100,000, to: 1. Enhance restore approximately 12 acres of DSF habitat in the colton recovery unit to improve habitat value for the DSF and restore areas for the species to RE-colonize. The restored areas will provide for all the dsfs life history requirements. Approximately$82,000 will support this objective. 2. Reduce existing threats to conserved DSF habitat in the colton recovery unit and mitigate future threats through more frequent site monitoring and through targeted education and outreach to local universities schools, local municipalities, neighbors of conserved areas, and the public. Approximately $18,0000 will support this objective.