Status of Listed Species and Recovery Plan Development

Dwarf Lake Iris

Iris lacustris -- Threatened

Wisconsin

Current Status:

Habitat destruction, often through road building and development, is a continuing threat. Collection of this attractive wildflower is also a problem.

Achievements:

Substantial gains have been made for the dwarf lake iris and five other plant species (eastern prairie fringed orchid, Fassett's locoweed, northern wild monkshood, Pitcher's thistle, and prairie bushclover) through a landowner identification and contact program conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Several hundred landowners have been contacted, and many have signed non-binding "Rare Plant Stewardship" protection agreements.

Current Recovery Needs:

Although basic research is still required to determine the iris' life history, the main recovery need is protection of known plant populations from destruction and habitat degradation.

Partnerships

Environmental Protection Agency: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources received $91,614 from this Federal agency to continue and expand the landowner contact program for Wisconsin's six endangered and threatened plant species. The Environmental Protection Agency hopes to avoid adverse impacts to these species from herbicides regulated under its authority
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: The landowner contact program and annual monitoring of dwarf lake iris populations are ongoing efforts being carried out by this State agency.

Recovery Plan Status:

Technical draft plan.