The new mexico forestry divisions endangered plant program (program), housed within the new mexico energy, minerals and natural resources department (emnrd), is an active partner, along with the…

The new mexico forestry divisions endangered plant program (program), housed within the new mexico energy, minerals and natural resources department (emnrd), is an active partner, along with the BLM, in protecting and conserving new mexicos rare and endangered plant species and their habitats. Through this partnership, the new mexico rare plant conservation strategy (https: WWW.emnrd.NM.GOV SFD new-mexico-rare-plant-conservation-strategy ) (conservation strategy) was developed to address impacts to new mexicos rare and endangered plants and provide for their long-term conservation and stewardship. This project will expand the capacity of emnrds botany program will be able to expand its capacity in achieving rare plant conservation efforts by supporting a project coordinator position. The project coordinator will focus on rare plant priorities of interest to BLM with the goal of species recovery. The botany program will continue building upon existing long-term data sets for rare plant species and recovery plans and be better positioned to assist the BLM new mexico threatened and endangered (t e) species program and plant conservation and restoration management program (pcrp) in advancing the department of the interior s priorities to address the effects of climate change and restore balance on public lands and waters through new survey efforts and coordinated conservation planning. A coordinated approach in gathering information on new populations, demographic trends, and species baseline data are essential first steps in evaluating a listed species potential for being down- or DE-listed. The information will better inform land management agency decisions for rare plant species and habitat to ensure species survival. This project will benefit the public through identification of population declines so that habitat loss can be more effectively recognized and recovery of some of the most imperiled species in the state can be addressed proactively. Ultimately these efforts will preclude the need for federal listing, or up-listing, under the endangered species act and will ensure species survival for future generations. Additionally, with the expanded capacity, this project will assist the BLM in effectively meeting its responsibilities under the endangered species act (ESA) to recover federally listed species so that protections under the ESA are no longer determined necessary. This project will also assist with efforts to investigate and implement conservation strategies for BLM sensitive species and federal candidate species to preclude the need for listing, leading to enhanced protection and conservation of sensitive plant populations on public lands in new mexico.