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Officials draft recovery plan for two insect species threatened by climate change

Nick Mott
/
Montana Public Radio

Federal wildlife officials have announced a draft recovery plan for two endangered insects that rely on dwindling cold-water sources.

The meltwater lednian and western glacier stoneflies — found in Montana, Wyoming and Alberta — require cold flowing water from glaciers or snowfields to survive. Scientists predict those cold-water sources could be gone by 2030 due to climate change.

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a plan that calls for maintaining about 3,000 acres of known habitat, surveying for additional populations and identifying possible locations to introduce the insects.
Public comment on the draft plan will be open through early February.
Copyright 2021 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Aaron is Montana Public Radio's Flathead reporter.