http://www.nativeecosystems.org Center for Native Ecosystems works to protect and recover all of the native plants and critters, and their homes, in the Greater Southern Rockies ecosystem. We have a real soft spot for the underdogs, the obscure plants and critters that are usually ignored in the ongoing debates about conservation and land management. At the same time, the better-known and more charismatic species also play important roles in the health of our ecosystem. Read below to learn more about the many species with whom we share this magnificent place. daily 1 2006-07-21T23:20:28Z http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/black-hills-dipper/index_html The Black Hills Dipper is a small songbird uniquely adapted to feeding under water. An isolated population of the Black Hills Dipper in the Black Hills faces a variety of threats. No publisher admin Black Hills dipper 2006-08-10T01:29:36Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/black-hills-mountainsnail/index_html The Black Hills mountainsnail is a rare and critically imperiled land snail that is endemic to the forests of the Black Hills. Because it is dependent on high quality and healthy habitat, this snail is an excellent indicator of ecosystem health. Although the snail was once found across the Black Hills, extensive habitat destruction and degradation has led to its decline and endangerment. No publisher admin Black Hills mountainsnail 2006-08-01T20:55:27Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/black-footed-ferret/index_html The black-footed ferret, a member of the weasel family, is one of the most endangered mammals in North America. It once ranged from the Rocky Mountains eastward throughout the Great Plains, but dramatic declines of prairie dog populations have taken a brutal toll on the ferret, which is dependent on prairie dogs for both food and habitat. No publisher admin Black-footed ferret 2006-12-18T21:22:51Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/black-tailed-prairie-dog/index_html The black-tailed prairie dog, the most common of the five prairie dog species, once ranged across the shortgrass and mixed prairies of the Great Plains. It has lost more than 99% of its historic range, largely as a result of habitat destruction and the spread of an exotic disease known as plague. No publisher admin Black-tailed prairie dog 2006-07-21T17:18:07Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/boreal-toad/index_html The boreal toad of the southern Rocky Mountains inhabits high elevation montane forests and is Colorado's only alpine amphibian. No publisher admin boreal toad 2006-08-01T20:57:36Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/burrowing-owl/index_html The burrowing owl is a remarkable and unusual little prairie owl. It is the only owl to inhabit underground burrows, living in the abandoned homes of prairie dogs, badgers, and foxes. It is one of the few that live in the shortgrass prairie, and is typically found in close association with prairie dog complexes. Like prairie dogs, burrowing owls are declining across their range, mostly as a result of habitat destruction. No publisher admin burrowing owl 2006-08-01T21:50:39Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/canada-lynx/index_html The Canada lynx is a remarkable native cat. Although it resides in relatively large numbers in the Northern Rockies and throughout Alaska and western Canada, its distribution once extended to other parts of the country, including the Southern Rockies. However, due to trapping and shooting pressure, habitat degradation, highway mortality, and other impacts, the lynx was driven to the brink of extinction, if not beyond, in the Southern Rockies. No publisher admin 2006-08-18T22:21:30Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/clay-loving-wild-buckwheat/index_html Clay-loving wild buckwheat is a higly endangered plant found only on the Adobe Hills east of Delta and Montrose in western Colorado. Its habitat is increasingly threatened by off-road vehicles, suburban sprawl, and new highway building. No publisher jacob Gunnison Basin Adobe Hills clay-loving wild buckwheat 2007-07-18T20:08:53Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/colorado-butterfly-plant/index_html The Colorado butterfly plant is a streamside gem with red fuzzy stems and delicate white flowers that change from white to red as they age. These plants are threatened by herbicide spraying, cultivation and mowing for hay, and increased development. No publisher admin Colorado butterfly plant 2006-08-01T22:57:41Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/cutthroat-trout/index_html At least twelve species of native cutthroat trout inhabit the western United States, three of those within the Greater Southern Rockies. All of these native cutthroat trout require clear and cold water, naturally-fluctuating stream flows, low levels of sediment, well-distributed pools, stable streambanks, and abundant stream cover. All three of our region's surviving native cutthroat trout species are threatened with extinction. No publisher admin cutthroat trout 2006-08-01T22:58:57Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/dakota-skipper/index_html The Dakota skipper is a tawny orange to chocolate brown butterfly with a one-inch wingspan. The butterfly historically ranged across prairies throughout the Midwestern United States and south-central Canada. Adult butterflies sip nectar from native prairie wildflowers including coneflowers, wood lilies, harebells, smooth camas, blanketflowers, black eyed susans, and fleabane. The larvae feed on prairie grasses, particularly little bluestem. Like other skippers, they have a faster and more powerful flight than most butterflies. Dakota skipper butterflies rarely travel more than 1/2 mile in their lifetime. No publisher admin Dakota skipper 2006-08-02T17:42:37Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/debeque-milkvetch/index_html DeBeque Milkvetch is one of Colorado's most endangered native wildflowers. Found only in the Roan Plateau area, it survives in only eight populations, all of which are at risk from a variety of threats including oil and gas drilling, irresponsible recreation, and poor grazing management. No publisher admin South Shale Ridge Roan Plateau DeBeque milkvetch 2006-08-28T23:43:28Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/debeque-phacelia/index_html DeBeque phacelia lives in only a small portion of western Colorado near the town of DeBeque. Oil and gas drilling has suddenly boomed in the phacelia’s habitat and is threatening this wildflower’s survival. Since 1980 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized that the phacelia warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act, but it remains unprotected today. Almost all of the phacelia sites are on Bureau of Land Management lands already leased for oil and gas drilling. No publisher admin South Shale Ridge DeBeque phacelia 2007-08-06T23:30:15Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/desert-yellowhead/index_html The extremely rare desert yellowhead remained hidden away on a few acres of Bureau of Land Management land in central Wyoming until a botanist noticed this striking plant in 1990. A member of the sunflower or aster family, the desert yellowhead was not only an undescribed species, it was so unusual that a new genus was created in naming it. Its highly restricted distribution places it at great risk of extinction, and mining, off-road vehicle use, and livestock trampling make its status even more precarious. No publisher admin desert yellowhead 2006-08-02T17:50:31Z Species http://www.nativeecosystems.org/species/douglas-county-pocket-gopher/index_html Pocket gophers often live out their entire lives on less than an acre of land, and aside from brief encounters during the mating season, lead a solitary existence. These life history characteristics have led many populations to develop important local adaptations; consequently, pocket gophers have diversified into a stunning array of species and subspecies. Subspecies usually do not overlap, however, so the loss of just one usually results in the complete absence of pocket gophers from an area. No publisher admin Douglas County pocket gopher 2006-08-02T17:51:26Z Species