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Current Status:

This perennial herb with its showy clusters of white blossoms is largely threatened by loss of remnant prairie, mainly through conversion to cropland, and the use of herbicides and insecticides (which could eliminate pollinators).

Achievements:

Site protection through voluntary landowner agreements and other State efforts to protect and restore orchid habitat on State and private land have helped stabilize the species. Though not mentioned in the draft recovery plan (now under review), the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has played an important role through its landowner contact program. This Environmental Protection Agency-funded program, developed in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Fish and Wildlife Service, allows private landowners voluntarily to agree to pesticide use practices that will protect listed plants on their land. When enough sites in a county have been covered by agreements, the county avoids a possible section 7 jeopardy opinion for a particular pesticide.

Current Recovery Needs:

Habitat protection and appropriate guidelines for herbicide and insecticide use are needed.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources received $3,096 in FY 1991 and $5,359 in FY 1992 for population monitoring.

Partnerships

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Responsibilities carried out by this State agency involve monitoring known populations, surveying suitable habitat, assisting in the landowner contact program, and conducting public education activities.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture: The landowner contact program is an ongoing effort being carried out by this State agency.

Recovery Plan Status:

Technical draft plan.