Status of Listed Species and Recovery Plan Development
Penland Beardtongue
Penstemon penlandii -- Endangered
Colorado
Current Status:
The Penland beardlongue occurs only on particular types of soils. This plant faces threats from habitat disturbance by off-road vehicle use, excessive trampling by livestock, and surface mining.
Achievements:
Habitat purchases, land exchanges, and formal land management designations (e.g., Areas of Critical Environmental Concern) for the species have been initiated by the Bureau of Land Management. Seed collections for storage and for propagation studies have been made, and transplanting studies have been initiated. In addition, for the past 2 years, research has been conducted on the pollination biology of the Penland beardtongue. Informal section 7 consultations with the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado River Water Conservation District have ensured that road maintenance and other activities are conducted in ways that minimize disturbance to the species and its habitat.
Current Recovery Needs:
Necessary recovery actions for the Penland beardtongue include further research on its pollination and reproductive biology, site inventories, and protection of currently known populations.
Partnerships
Bureau of Land Management: This Federal agency has developed habitat management plans for populations of the species under its jurisdiction, and has pursued land purchases and exchanges to protect high priority populations on other lands. The Bureau has been involved in inventorying and mapping all known populations of the species on its lands and has served as a local contact and source of expertise for conserving the Penland beardtongue on both private and public land.The Nature Conservancy: The Conservancy has conducted habitat management and monitoring research, drafted a habitat management plan, and facilitated habitat purchases and exchanges.
Recovery Plan Status:
Plan approved 9/30/92.
