Conservation Corner
Stinknet found in New Mexico
In April, Gila chapter member and wildflower photographer Andrew Tree found the first occurrence of the invasive plant stinknet, Oncosiphon pilulifer, in New Mexico near Lordsburg. Stinknet, also called globe chamomile, was introduced from South Africa and it has been proliferating in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Mexico. It is a winter annual in the Asteraceae, blooming in early spring. It can form dense populations that particularly threaten other native spring-flowering plants, and the dried vegetation is a fire hazard in summer. Some people have an allergic reaction when handling the plant.
After confirming identification of the plant, Andrew returned to the site, pulled up the plant and it is now being pressed for the herbarium at WNMU. Thank you to Andrew for helping to keep this plant out of New Mexico! If you think you have found an invasive plant new to the state or to your region, you can report it to your local Agricultural Extension agent and send a voucher specimen to your regional herbarium. NMSU is working to hire a new Noxious Weeds coordinator for the state as of May. For more information on stinknet, visit https://extension.arizona.edu/stinknet-invasion.
New BLM Public Lands Rule
The Bureau of Land Management finalized a rule recognizing conservation as an equally important use of public lands. Among other things, the new rule allows for restoration and mitigation leases. NPSNM joined the Colorado and Arizona native plant societies in commenting on the proposed rule and requesting that non-profits receiving restoration leases be exempted from the fees associated with other types of leases. The final rule states, “Recognizing that restoration lessees are providing a service to the public and the BLM, the rule provides for waiving or reducing the rent of a restoration lease if a valuable benefit is being provided to the public and revenue is not being generated.” The new rule provides a mechanism for better land management practices on BLM lands. Read more about the new rule at https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-strategy-guide-balanced-management-conservation
Sandoval County BLM Land Protected
The Bureau of Land Management has protected 4000 acres of land in southern Sandoval County near Placitas from mineral development for the next 50 years. The land includes the Buffalo Tract and Crest of Montezuma. These areas provide important habitat for plants and animals and contain sacred cultural sites. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-haaland-protects-sacred-sensitive-lands-new-mexico
Historic Donation of Land Enlarges Sabinoso Wilderness
A Movement to Protect the Pecos
Community members from the Pecos Valley are petitioning the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) to consider an Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) designation for the Upper Pecos Watershed. ONRW, or Outstanding Waters, as they are often referred to, are rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands that receive special protections to preserve water quality and ensure future generations of New Mexicans have access to clean water. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez have submitted a letter to the WQCC urging it to consider the ONRW petition.
Native Plant Society of New Mexico — why do we care?
- This area exhibits the tremendous biodiversity of the Southern Rockies, including the endangered Holy Ghost Ipomopsis wildflower (Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus).
- The modern local community prospers as a center of outdoor recreation, known for clean water, abundant wildlife and scenic vistas.
- These are ancestral lands of pueblo people.
- Taxpayers usually wind up footing the bill for cleanup of mining pollution.
See more information here, including the full petition: https://ournmwaters.com/protecting-the-pecos-river/
The “Dirty Water Rule” of 2020 Under Scrutiny
Remember WOTUS? In 2020, after years of engagement with states, the public, tribal governments, and other stakeholders, the last administration issued a revised definition of the Waters Of The United States that were protected under the Clean Water Act. It excluded most of New Mexico’s waters from federal regulation. A broad array of stakeholders nationwide—including states, Tribes, local governments, scientists, and non-governmental organizations—are seeing destructive impacts to critical water bodies under the 2020 rule. “After reviewing the Navigable Waters Protection Rule as directed by President Biden, the EPA and Department of the Army have determined that this rule is leading to significant environmental degradation,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
Read the full EPA news release here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-army-announce-intent-revise-definition-wotus
The Xerces Society Santa Fe Office Offers New Pollinator Plant Lists
The Xerces Society, famously looking out for “the little things that run the world” (invertebrates), has now established an office in Santa Fe and has developed a flowering plant list for landscapes in central and northern New Mexico as part of its “Bring Back the Pollinators” campaign. The species are widely adaptable and arranged by flowering season to provide forage as continuously as possible.
Check it out and learn more here: https://xerces.org/publications/plant-lists/pollinator-plants-albuquerque-and-santa-fe-region
The State of Maine Passes Restrictions on Pollinator-Killing Pesticides
This year, the state of Maine passed the country’s strongest restrictions on the bee-killing pesticides called neonicotinoids or neonics. These long-lasting substances make every part of the treated plant, including pollen and nectar, neurotoxic. New Mexico is home to at least four times as many native bee species as is Maine, and their disappearance is big trouble for the flowering plants they service. Let’s get onboard the movement to control the flagrant use of neonics.
Read more about the measure in Maine at: https://environmentmaine.org/news/mee/maine-governor-signs-bill-save-bees