November 20, 2009 – The Center petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recognize the spring pygmy sunfish as endangered or threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.
October 27, 2010 – Since the Service had basically ignored our petition to protect the sunfish, we filed a notice of intent to sue.
March 31, 2011 – The Service announced that the sunfish may deserve protection.
July 12, 2011 – The Center reached a landmark agreement with the Fish and Wildlife Service compelling the agency to move forward in the protection process for 757 species, including the spring pygmy sunfish.
October 1, 2012 – Due to the Center's settlement with the Service, the agency proposed Endangered Species Act protection for the sunfish.