Call to Action

This strategy is a call to action, highlighting the conservation steps that federal, state, and local agencies, private groups, academic institutions and others can take to help meet the six objectives of rare plant conservation. Successful implementation and conservation of Colorado's native plant heritage is contingent upon adequate resources and funding to support the recommended actions.

Colorado's flora is an important and irreplaceable part of the state's natural heritage.

More than 75 percent of the state's 155 imperiled species are plants; 119 plants are considered globally imperiled, meaning they are at significant risk of extinction (Colorado Natural Heritage Program 2008). At least 68 of these plants occur only in Colorado and no place else in the world. Twelve plants in the state are currently listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. Approximately 70 percent of the state's imperiled plants occur on federal lands, 24 percent on private lands and 3 percent on state lands. The majority of Colorado's rare plants occur in barrens and shrublands; conservation efforts in these two habitats can make a great difference for these species.

Threats to Colorado's rare native plants and their habitats are at an all-time high.

The state has one of the fastest-growing human populations in the country, expected to increase from approximately 5 million to over 7.5 million by 2030. Demands for housing, energy, recreation and transportation place unprecedented pressure on plants and natural ecosystems. Climate change also poses a serious threat, particularly to plants restricted to specialized habitats (e.g., alpine). One of the greatest barriers to effective stewardship is a lack of awareness about rare native plants. Nearly half of the state's imperiled plants are poorly conserved, often due to significant threats or lack of protection. Despite rapidly growing threats, Colorado lacks specific recognition and protection for rare native plants. A plant program supported by state government, with broad stakeholder involvement, is needed to achieve the long-term conservation of Colorado's imperiled plants.

Now is the time to conserve Colorado's rare plants.

Our actions over the next few decades will determine the state's botanical legacy. Fortunately, there are still many opportunities to make a difference for plant conservation. Rare plants are easy to conserve because they typically occur in small numbers and over relatively small geographic areas. The land area occupiedby Colorado's imperiled plants is approximately 62,500 acres, a minute percentage (< 0.001%) of the state's total land area. Thus, plants can often be protected with a relatively small investment of time and resources. By working together, landowners, land managers and concerned partners can take proactive steps to improve the conservation of imperiled plants.

Please visit the following links for more information:

Overview         Goals/Objectives         Partners         Documents/Downloads