Another one bites the dust

[Mark Walker]

Well, as I've said before here - I consider listing organisms on Federally
Endangered Species lists (or other such lists) a terrible conservation
failure and not a success.  This should be what we're fighting to avoid -
not fighting to see happen.  I think this is true irregardless of whether
such an action will actually act to save or conserve a species (which I'll
argue it isn't very effective at, either - but that's a different post).
 
The Carson Wandering Skipper, a little butterfly from western Nevada whose
habitat is amazingly scarce, has recently obtained emercency protected
status AND interestingly some significant press coverage (see
http://channels.attbusiness.net/index.cfm?fuseAction=viewNewsArticle
<http://channels.attbusiness.net/index.cfm?fuseAction=viewNewsArticle&nav_id
=33&category_name=National&article_id=1905f5916ecd49c7389f12bcf270464d>
&nav_id=33&category_name=National&article_id=1905f5916ecd49c7389f12bcf270464
d ).
 
Anyway, I haven't heard much at all about why this decision is necessary -
other than the obvious.  I'd like to hear from anyone on either of these
lists who can tell me what, if any, conservation efforts were considered and
why none are expected to be successful.  
 
This could be a real interesting case from an evolutionary sense.  Is this a
relict from a receding ocean - and if so, is it basically doomed anyway?
I've never looked for this skipper, though I've undoubtedly driven past it a
hundred times.  I'm saddened that it is so hopelessly limited.  Anyway, I'll
drink a toast to the little wanderer tonight.
 
Mark Walker.
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