sp. Julimes. Conservation The species is listed as Endangered (P) in the Mexican Endangered Species NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010. Since 1998, all water flow from "El Pandeño" has been allocated to 36 farmers grouped in the "San José de Pandos Irrigation Society" (SJPIS). The SJPIS farmers utilize an annual volume of , or 50 lps, for both agriculture and recreation. Deeply concerned about the preservation of their water source, farmers of the SJPIS, together with Julimes residents, chartered in 2008 the grassroots non-profit organization "Amigos del Pandeño, A.C." or "Friends of El Pandeño". With support from partner NGOs, including Pronatura Noreste, A.C., Biodesert A.C., Profauna A.C. and the WWF-Chihuahuan Desert Program, "Amigos del Pandeño" began an Integrated Spring Management Program which seeks an optimal allocation of spring flows, recognizing the environment — and consequently the Julimes pupfish — as a user. The Program seeks to implement adaptive management strategies, build local capacities, generate water savings by upgrading irrigation systems, promote environmental education and develop public outreach, and intervene in water policy towards the implementation of environmental flows. By 2009, the Julimes project was already evolving into a freshwater conservation model for arid northern Mexico; initial efforts were showcased by the Mexican National Commission for Biodiversity (CONABIO) in the book The Natural Heritage of Mexico: One hundred success stories. On September 28, 2010, the Mexican National Water Commission (CONAGUA) issued positive response to the request made by "Amigos del Pandeño", allowing them to use and manage the federal lands surrounding "El Pandeño" — officially known as "San José de Pandos" — thermal spring, for environmental purposes, for a ten-year term. In May 2011, "Amigos del Pandeño" called for an initial "Vital Signs" planning workshop with the participation of scientists, experts, natural resource managers and specialists from universities, NGOs and the private sector, in order to develop a Science-based Management Plan for the spring system, and to begin to determine baselines to implement a "Vital Signs Monitoring Program". During the workshop, it was agreed that the purpose of a "Vital Signs Monitoring Program" would be early detection of environmental changes and providing an overview of the ecological consequences thereof in order to determine whether observations may dictate the need for changes in the management of the ecosystem and its natural resources. In April 2012, "Amigos del Pandeño", with support from SEMARNAT and the Chihuahua State Government, established "El Pandeño" as official Custodial Wildlife Conservation Management