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Current Status:

Grazing and trampling by livestock and wildlife, along with road and railway construction, have destroyed most of the species' limited habitat.

Achievements:

The Nature Conservancy has acquired much of the species' occupied habitat and constructed a boundary fence around the primary portion, thus protecting it from excessive grazing. The population has increased from 3 reproducing plants in 1988 to over 200 in 1992 because of this habitat protection. Habitat surveys, population monitoring, and genetic studies have been initiated with funding from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and Utah Native Plant Society.

Current Recovery Needs:

The habitat on The Nature Conservancy's property will need continued protection. Also, efforts should be made to acquire and protect the only other known population, which occurs on private land. Surveys for any additional populations and reestablishment of populations on suitable habitat would aid in recovery. Additional biological and ecological studies of the species and its habitat are also needed.

Partnerships

Forest Service: Although no populations of the clay phacelia have been located on Federal lands, potential habitat exists within Spanish Fork Canyon on the Uinta National Forest. The Forest Service is conducting surveys to discover if populations of the plant and potential habitat occur on its lands.

State Arboretum of Utah (Center for Plant Conservation program), Brigham Young University's Botany Department, and Utah State University's Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory: These three partners in recovery are conducting research on the biology and ecology of the clay phacelia.

The Nature Conservancy: This private organization has acquired species habitat near Tucker in Spanish Fork Canyon. It has also prevented livestock grazing in the area by constructing a protective fence.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 4/12/92.