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Current Status:

The species' highly restricted distribution and limited numbers make it vulnerable to extinction. Current threats include inadvertent trampling and destruction, overcollecting for scientific purposes, habitat loss or adverse modification of habitat, and uncontrolled fire.

Achievements:

Two of the known Short's goldenrod sites have received permanent protection, one through acquisition by The Nature Conservancy and the other through formal dedication as a nature preserve by the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. Three additional sites have been registered with the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. The Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission has a program, in cooperation with the Governor's Office, to encourage landowners to register their lands as environmentally significant areas. The program is strictly voluntary and non-binding, but provides private landowners with public service awards for managing their lands for endangered species. Life history and ecological requirements studies have been completed, and research into management needs has been initiated.

Current Recovery Needs:

Necessary recovery actions include obtaining permanent protection of known Short's goldenrod sites, determining and implementing long-term management needs, and discovering or establishing additional populations.

Partnerships

Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission: The Commission works with The Nature Conservancy to purchase land or obtain conservation easements to protect federally listed plants, including Short's goldenrod. In FY 1992, the Commission initiated a project (funded by the Fish and Wildlife Service) to determine effective and efficient procedures for managing the species. The Service also funded a project to conduct searches for other populations and to identify potential reintroduction sites.

The Nature Conservancy: Through its land protection program in Kentucky, the Conservancy manages land it has purchased to protect Short's goldenrod. Additional sites for the species may be acquired as funds are available and opportunities arise.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 5/25/88.