Rare Red Rock Sunflower Faces Extinction Risk, Petition Argues

Conservationists seek federal protection for the flower found only in Nevada's Red Rock Canyon.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Center for Biological Diversity and Save Red Rock have filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider listing the rare Red Rock sunflower under the Endangered Species Act. With fewer than 1,000 flowers remaining in the wild, the groups argue the species faces extinction due to heavy visitation, invasive species, and climate change-fueled drought in its primary habitat of Calico Basin at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area near Las Vegas.

Why it matters

The Red Rock sunflower is an endemic species found only in a small area of Nevada, making it highly vulnerable to extinction. As a public land, Red Rock Canyon sees millions of visitors annually, posing threats to the delicate sunflower habitat through soil compaction, invasive species, and other human impacts. Securing federal protections could help ensure the long-term survival of this rare and unique plant.

The details

The petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and Save Red Rock cites population counts indicating fewer than 1,000 Red Rock sunflowers remain in the wild. The flowers grow near three springs in the highly visited Calico Basin area of Red Rock Canyon, where unofficial hiking trails, wild horses, and invasive plants threaten the sunflower's habitat. Climate change-driven drought also poses a peril to the species, which depends on groundwater. While the Nevada Division of Forestry provided state-level protections in 2024, the groups argue federal Endangered Species Act listing is needed to prevent the sunflower's extinction.

  • The Red Rock sunflower was first discovered by a researcher conducting biological surveys in 2007.
  • In 2024, the Nevada Division of Forestry listed the flower to have protections under the state.
  • On February 10, 2026, the Center for Biological Diversity and Save Red Rock filed a petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider listing the sunflower under the Endangered Species Act.

The players

Center for Biological Diversity

A non-profit environmental organization that advocates for the protection of endangered species and their habitats.

Save Red Rock

A non-profit conservation group that serves as an official partner of the Bureau of Land Management in managing the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The federal agency responsible for enforcing the Endangered Species Act and protecting threatened and endangered wildlife.

Bureau of Land Management

The federal agency that manages the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, where the rare Red Rock sunflower is found.

Megan Ortiz

A staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity who advocated for the petition to protect the Red Rock sunflower.

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What they’re saying

“These charmingly lopsided sunflowers are already incredibly rare, and without federal protection they could vanish from the face of the Earth.”

— Megan Ortiz, Staff Attorney, Center for Biological Diversity

“This endemic species, rare and delicate as it is, needs an army of advocates and stewards to ensure its long-term survival.”

— Michelle St. Angelo, Executive Director, Save Red Rock

What’s next

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will now review the petition and determine whether to move forward with considering the Red Rock sunflower for Endangered Species Act protection.

The takeaway

The plight of the rare Red Rock sunflower highlights the fragility of endemic species and the need for robust conservation efforts, even on public lands. This petition underscores how climate change, human activity, and invasive species can threaten the survival of unique flora, requiring proactive measures to prevent extinction.