SANTA FE, NM (KRWG) July 10, 2021– A newly approved rule change will better protect an additional 10 plant species in danger of extinction in New Mexico. On July 9, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Cabinet Secretary Sarah Cottrell Propst approved an amendment to the New Mexico Endangered Plant Species List and Collection Permits rule (19.21.2 NMAC), which adds 10 plant species to the state endangered plant list. The rule prohibits protected endangered plant species from being collected, removed, transported, exported, processed for sale, or offered for sale unless issued a valid permit for specific scientific purposes by the state forester.

This effort follows years of research by the Forestry Division’s Endangered Plant Program and other rare plant scientists across the state. The additions took nearly two years to complete and involved public comment and input from numerous stakeholders.

Ten Rare Plants Added to State Endangered Plant Species List