Lawsuit Launched Seeking Final Endangered Species Protection for Nevada’s Rare Tiehm’s Buckwheat

UngulateNerd92

UngulateNerd92

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The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to force it to finalize Endangered Species Act protections for the rare Nevada wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat.

“Tiehm’s buckwheat is staring down the barrel of extinction, and it can’t wait one more day for Endangered Species Act protection,” said Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center. “The Service is dragging its feet on protecting this rare wildflower and apparently needs the threat of legal action to do its job.”

The unique buckwheat, which is threatened with extinction by a lithium mine, was proposed for protection as an endangered species on Oct. 7, 2021. Under federal law the Service has one year from the date of a proposed rule to issue a final rule, after accepting public input.

Lawsuit Launched Seeking Final Endangered Species Protection for Nevada’s Rare Tiehm’s Buckwheat
 
I've been following the Tiehm's Buckwheat story for a while. The USFWS is doing an even worse job managing plant species that they do animals. :(
 
Where are the "Zoos and Botanical gardens" in this? Is there a reason they could not be championing a captive propagation program for this plant?
 
SwampDonkey said:
Where are the "Zoos and Botanical gardens" in this? Is there a reason they could not be championing a captive propagation program for this plant?
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That is a great question, I was thinking the exact same thing. I will say, that the Wilbur D. May Arboretum on the campus of the University of Nevada Reno would be a good place to start for facilitating such a program as it is relatively close to the species' native range. In Nevada, southern Washoe County would have a similar ecosystem and climatic conditions to Esmerelda County, where Tiehm's buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii) is endemic. If the University of Nevada Reno, the University of Nevada Las Vegas, or if either location of the Nevada State Museum (Las Vegas or Carson City) has an herbarium or seed library on site, that would be another good place to start.
 
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birdsandbats said:
I've been following the Tiehm's Buckwheat story for a while. The USFWS is doing an even worse job managing plant species that they do animals. :(
Click to expand...

The US Fish & Wildlife Service doing a worse job with plants, that is quite unfortunate, but why am I not surprised?
 
SwampDonkey said:
Where are the "Zoos and Botanical gardens" in this? Is there a reason they could not be championing a captive propagation program for this plant?
Click to expand...

As I have said on here before, I am of the belief that every wild animal and plant species, subspecies and distinct population segment when and where possible needs to have a captive/ex-situ assurance population. That includes the Tiehm's buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii)!
 
Here is another relevant article.

Tiehm’s Buckwheat Protected as Endangered Species

Rare Nevada Wildflower Threatened by Lithium Mine

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized Endangered Species Act protection today for the rare wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat, responding to a petition and litigation from the Center for Biological Diversity.

Tiehm’s buckwheat, which grows on just 10 acres of public land in the Silver Peak Range of Nevada’s Esmeralda County, is threatened by a proposed lithium mine that would destroy nearly all its habitat.

In 2019 the Center petitioned the Service to protect the buckwheat, and in 2021 it filed a successful lawsuit to obtain Endangered Species Act protection, resulting in today’s listing.

Tiehm’s Buckwheat Protected as Endangered Species
 
Lawsuit Launched to Protect Tiehm’s Buckwheat From Cattle Trampling

Destruction Discovered After Nevada Wildflower Protected as Endangered

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to protect the rare Nevada wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat from destruction due to cattle grazing. The notice seeks to remove cattle from the buckwheat’s federally protected critical habitat.

“Tiehm’s buckwheat is one of North America’s most endangered plants, but federal officials are letting the livestock industry run roughshod over its fragile habitat,” said Patrick Donnelly, the Center’s Great Basin director, who documented the damage. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognized cattle grazing as a threat to the buckwheat’s existence, but the Bureau of Land Management has done nothing to protect these wildflowers.”

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Tiehm’s Buckwheat From Cattle Trampling
 
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