This is a brief summary of primarily UNPS related but also other conservation history concerning this species. It is not comprehensive and is a work in progress. For questions about this page, contact unps@unps.org.

These are listed in chronological order. Links will open in a new browser window. Just close the window to come back to this page. Most images are in the 50-60K range and are sized to be able to print them to a laser printer.

First collection made in 1874

While not named until 1892 by Frederick Coville, the first collection of the species was made in 1874 by Dr. Charles C. Parry. John C. Fremont made the first bear poppy collection in 1844 of Arctomecon california. The only three known species of Arctomecon have therefore been named and known as such since 1892. All are gypsophiles.

Proposed to be listed as endangered, June 16, 1976

Citation page: 41 FR 24523 24572

1978 publications urged listing

Dr. Stanely Welsh of BYU in March 1978 Great Basin Naturalist recommends listing as endangered

Dr. Duane Atwood of the USFS in August 1978 Mentzelia indicates that unless this species is listed, it will become extinct

Listed as an endangered species November 6, 1979

Listed throughout its entire range; known only from Utah.

Citation page: 44 FR 64250 64252

UNPS initiates action in early 1983

UNPS conservation chair Tony Frates initiates contacts with various state and federal agencies as well as with botanists in March of 1983 after the poppy is identified as the "most endangered" species in the Utah flora. Activity is continuous throughought 1983 and Dr. Duane Atwood, the rare plant committee chair, plays a vital role.

State of Utah Dwarf BearClaw Poppy Recovery Plan (approved by land board 12/83)

(this document was the culmination of UNPS efforts with respect to working with the state of Utah in gaining their cooperation and as outlined/recommended in the federal recovery plan)

Sept 30, 1983 application - page 1/main application

SL Tribune article by Jim Woolf dated 11/8/83: Utah Plans Steps to Save Endangered Poppy

Part 1

Part 2

State of Utah/Matheson letter to BLM of 2/3/84 affirming state concept of ACEC's

Letter (one page)

USFWS recovery plan approved in 1985

Recovery plan was approved December 31, 1985 (it however has never been funded by the USFWS).

Monitoring efforts begin in 1985

In 1985 Kevin Carter (State Lands & Forestry) initiated some informal monitoring studies. This was the beginning of an effort that later led to UNPS initiating a full scientific study to better understand the populations. Prior to President's Day, 1985, materials were prepared and provided to Kevin Carter for his possible use in patroling (President's Day is a heavy use/ORV day at the White Dome site).

UNPS field trip - early May, 1985

Dave Wallace of UNPS set-up a field trip after hearing a talk by Larry England and various UNPS/local Sierra Club Chapters met with Kevin Carter and signs at White Dome were re-posted.

UNPS The Endangerd Dwarf Bearclaw Poppy brochure written/designed by Tony Frates in early 1986

Side 1

Side 2

State efforts continue in 1986

Two days prior to President's Day, 1986, signs at White Dome were re-posted. An organized motorcycle event was again this year held and the state assisted in monitoring activities.

UNPS sponsored field trip on 4/26/86

(photos by Tony Frates)

Kevin Carter (State Lands & Forestry) and Dave Wallace (UNPS) survey various flattened signs

UNPS volunteers (Dave Wallace and others) help to re-post state of Utah signs

Kevin Carter inspects a poppy near a criss-cross of ORV tracks

UNPS establishes a bear poppy study committee

Chaired by Dick Page, UNPS initiates a proposal for the study of the species which an ad hoc study committee reviews and provides input; input from the academic community is sought.

Harper/Nelson letter of 3/6/89 to USFWS

Page 1

Page 2

BLM letter letter of 3/30/89 in reply to Harper/Nelson letter above

Letter (one page)

Threatened Bear Claw Poppy Receives Help from The Nature Conservancy's GreatBasin newsletter, fall 1990

Page 1

SL Tribune article by Jim Woolf dated 5/19/91: Program Surveys Rarest Plant in Utah: Dwarf Bear-Claw Poppy Near St. George

Part 1 (Ben Franklin/poppy pictured; documents ongoing ORV damage)

Bearclaw Poppy Then and Now - A 20 Year Retrospective

Dave Wallace photos documenting severe state of habitat decline on the White Dome (state owned/SITLA managed) and Atkinville (primarily state owned and nearing complete extirpation) lands comparing how they looked in the mid-1980's compared to how they looked in May of 2004