TUCSON, Ariz.—The Center for Biological Diversity and WildEarth Guardians today secured court-ordered deadlines requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine whether the Clover’s cactus and Rio Grande shiner warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The Service must decide by Sept. 9, 2027, for the cactus and by Sept. 16, 2026, for the fish.

“Securing these deadlines marks a critical step toward safeguarding the Rio Grande shiner and Clover’s cactus, both emblematic of the challenges facing the Southwest, including ongoing drought and oil and gas development,” said Joanna Zhang, endangered species advocate with WildEarth Guardians. “Each day without action risks pushing these species closer to the brink of extinction. This agreement ensures that science, not politics, will drive the timing of these decisions.”

The Clover’s cactus primarily occurs on public lands frequently exploited by the oil and gas industry. Protecting this beautiful flowering succulent is crucial to preserving and restoring the natural character of the northwestern New Mexico landscape. The Rio Grande shiner’s imperilment stems from the degradation of the Rio Grande basin and highlights the need for habitat protections that benefit the whole ecosystem.

“This is an important victory for two irreplaceable Southwest species who are severely threatened by oil and gas drilling and our reckless overuse of water,” said Drew Baloga, a legal fellow at the Center for Biological Diversity. “These deadlines are critical as we head into another Trump administration, which will try to protect as few plants and animals as possible regardless of how close they are to extinction.”