Nevada Researchers Document Endangered Species Amid Declining Listings

Long before Las Vegas became known for its vibrant Fremont Street, the wildflower Oreocarya insolita flourished in the area. However, its last confirmed sighting in Las Vegas was almost a century ago, and it remains unknown if it grows anywhere else today.

In Nevada, 20 animal species have been lost, while almost 50 plants and animals are nearing similar fates as they are listed as endangered or threatened. With nearly 600 more species having few remaining populations, the uncertainty continues. Matthew Forister, a researcher at UNR, emphasized the need for further exploration into Nevada’s biodiversity and said scientists are launching a new journal focused on ‘lost’ species—those not seen in over ten years. The journal aims to bring attention to these species in an environment where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is listing fewer endangered species, largely due to staffing cuts under the current administration.