Final signature count: 6,981

6,981 signatures toward our 30,000 goal

In the heart of the lucrative oil and natural gas basins of southeastern New Mexico and West Texas, an inconspicuous creature teeters on the brink of extinction. The dunes sagebrush lizard, found nowhere else in the world, faces relentless threats from energy development, mining, and climate change¹. Its survival now hangs in the balance as conservationists clash with oil and gas operators and ranchers in a battle that could determine the lizard’s fate.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed federal protections for this imperiled species². This decision is crucial, and the stakes have never been higher.

Measuring a mere 2.5 inches in length, the dunes sagebrush lizard possesses the second smallest range of any lizard in North America³. With its light brown, spiny appearance, it seamlessly blends into its sandy dune habitat, allowing it to withstand extreme environments. However, the encroaching oil and gas industry and resulting habitat degradation threaten the lizard’s very existence³. The destruction caused by the industry not only harms the lizard but also exacerbates the global extinction crisis and fuels climate change³.

Over 95% of the original shinnery oak dunes ecosystem, once vibrant and thriving, has been ravaged by oil and gas extraction, development, and herbicide spraying for livestock grazing³. Habitat fragmentation further challenges the lizards, hindering their ability to find mates beyond their immediate vicinity. Sand-mining operations, driven by the oil and gas industry’s demand for fracking, compound their plight³.

Environmentalists have long fought for the protection of the dunes sagebrush lizard through petitions, lawsuits, and conservation agreements⁴. Now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed federal protections, recognizing the urgent need to safeguard the lizard from further harm⁴.

Yet, the clash between conservationists and industry interests persists. Oil and gas operators and ranchers argue that listing the lizard as an endangered species could disrupt their businesses and impose additional costs⁵. While voluntary agreements have been made, critics argue that they have proven insufficient to ensure the lizard’s well-being⁵.

The battle for the dunes sagebrush lizard’s survival is not new. In 2012, federal officials chose not to grant protections, citing voluntary conservation agreements and the “best available science⁶.” However, the urgency of the situation demands action.

Now is the time to act! We must join together to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to list the dunes sagebrush lizard to the Endangered Species Act. By signing our petition, you can make a difference and contribute to the preservation of this remarkable creature and the biodiversity it represents.

Join the fight to protect the dunes sagebrush lizard from extinction! Sign the petition now and add your voice to the call for federal protections. Together, we can secure a future where species like the dunes sagebrush lizard continue to thrive and contribute to the rich tapestry of life on Earth.