SME has decades of field experience in the identification of protected species, such as the Knowlton’s cactus (Pediocactus knowltonii), a federally listed endangered species with habitat in southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico.

It is a requirement of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 to identify and analyze possible effects of a proposed project on federally listed threatened, endangered, sensitive, proposed, and candidate species.  These species include mammals, birds, fish, plants, and insects.  Some of the species that may be evaluated on sites located in the Four Corners area include southwestern willow flycatcher, yellow billed cuckoo, Canada lynx, New Mexico meadow jumping mouse, Knowlton’s cactus, and Colorado pikeminnow.

SME biologists have decades of field experience in the identification of species and their habitats, listed by the USFWS, BLM, USFS, Native American Tribes and individual states. They have conducted hundreds of biological species surveys in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, California and Washington. They continue to stay abreast of the most current threatened, endangered, sensitive and candidate plant and wildlife species survey protocol and methodologies through continued monitoring of USFWS regulations and attendance at yearly training sessions.