A legal firm representing the National Homebuilders Association selected SWCA to conduct an in-depth review of the proposed critical habitat designation for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl, which was listed as endangered by the USFWS at the time. Dr. Steven Carothers collaborated with one of the foremost experts on the species, Dr. R. Roy Johnson, in developing the analysis and review.

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In April 2006, SWCA and Dr. Johnson found that there was insufficient justification for the federal listing of the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl as an endangered species. The USFWS concurred with these findings and other evidence and published a Final Rule to remove the Arizona Distinct Population Segment of the species from the federal list of threatened and endangered wildlife. In addition, the USFWS withdrew the proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the species. The client praised SWCA scientists who were involved in the project for being “consummate professionals,” and expressed appreciation for SWCA’s “sincere interest and hard work.”