ST. GEORGE — Plans to protect rare and threatened plants found nowhere else in the world but Utah's Dixie were unveiled by The Nature Conservancy in St. George on Monday.

The White Dome Nature Preserve is being launched with a 55-acre purchase of desert land located in the fast-developing "South Block" area of St. George, about two miles north of the Utah/Arizona border along Interstate 15.

The land was purchased from the State Institutional Trust Lands Administration at its appraised value of $167,100. Funding was provided by private donations to The Nature Conservancy and through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, one of several partners in the project, said Elaine York, west desert regional director for the conservancy. Other participants in the project include the city of St. George, the Bureau of Land Management and the Utah Department of Transportation.

"Talks to purchase this land first began about three years ago," said York. "We are a firm believer in partnerships."

The new nature preserve will protect the threatened Siler pincushion cactus and the endangered dwarf bear poppy, which is only found in Washington County. Several at-risk species including the zebra-tailed lizard and loggerhead shrike, as well as extremely rare native wildflowers will also find protection in the preserve, she said.

"This is an important achievement for the natural landscapes, plants and animals that make Washington County so unique," said York. "The conservancy is thrilled to be part of a collaboration to save these special places for future generations."

SITLA, which owns 10,000 acres in the South Block area, agreed in 2005 to make 800 acres available for sale to the Nature Conservancy and UDOT to establish a nature preserve with public access hiking trails.

The land is rutted with dozens of dusty trails, which have been off-limits since SITLA began fencing the land. So far, public access to about 200 acres of the rolling desert landscape has been blocked in order to protect the various plant and animal species living there, York said.

Washington County Commissioner Denny Drake applauded the team approach.

"We are facing major growth opportunities and challenges in our communities," Drake said in a news release outlining the deal. "The White Dome Nature Preserve is a great example of public and private groups working together to ensure we protect and celebrate our natural heritage as we grow."

A long-term management plan for the preserve includes fencing, maintenance, rare plant and pollinator research and habitat restoration. An immediate concern to biologists is the viability of the rare dwarf bear poppy plant and ensuring its long-term survival, said York.

"This effort is bigger than just 800 acres or several rare species," she said. "This is about Utahns coming together to ensure Washington County's future will include places where people can value and enjoy the natural wonders in their own back yard."

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