The critically imperiled Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens) is only found in small populations in the southwestern part of Utah. Utah prairie dogs have been reduced from their historic acreage of 448,000 to a mere 7,000 acres today - a decline of over 98%. Like other prairie dogs, the Utah prairie dog has a prolonged history of abuse. After years of poisoning campaigns, indiscriminate shooting, disease and loss of habitat, the Utah prairie dog was listed as an Endangered species in 1973. In spite of being listed since 1973, the Utah prairie dog has continued to decline. In 1984, pressures by ranchers, farmers and developers on the State of Utah and the federal government resulted in the prairie dog being reclassified as Threatened, which allowed for the animal to be killed once again. A census done in 2000 counted only 5,878 Utah prairie dogs across their range. One year later the census indicated that the population had suffered further declines, and numbered only 4,217. The declines continue to take place in all three recovery areas designated for the species. In the thirty years since the species was listed, not only has the Utah prairie dog failed to recover, but it continues to plummet toward extinction.

Center for Native Ecosystems joined Forest Guardians, author Terry Tempest Williams, and a coalition of other conservation organizations in an effort to stay the hand of extinction for the Utah prairie dog. The coalition filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to upgrade the species' status under the Endangered Species Act to "Endangered", thereby providing increased legal protections. The coalition also sent a Notice of Intent to Sue to the Service, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service for violating the ESA through permitting killing and habitat destruction of the Utah prairie dog.