A formerly widespread species - historically it ranged over much of the native tallgrass prairie region of the Midwest - that has declined due to the extensive destruction and fragmentation of its habitat. Where habitat remains, inadequate management (loss of fire regime; frequent mowing prior to seed set) has threatened the species. There are about 212 remaining occurrences and the species' overall range has shrunk dramatically. It is thought to have disappeared entirely from Wisconsin and Indiana.? Continuing threats include urbanization, conversion to agricultural land, habitat fragmentation, invasive species expansion, lack of prescribed fire, annual hay mowing before completion of reproduction, feral hog habitat destruction, herbicide/pesticide application, predation by weevils, deer, voles, and cattle, and climate change.

Haymeadow populations in Kansas are threatened by urban development and agricultural expansion. Haymowing of private or preserved prairies prevents seed production and leads to loss of genetic diversity. Inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity app

There are about 150 remaining populations of Mead's milkweed. (Bowles et al. 2001) Most populations are in privately owned prairie haymeadows in Kansas, where mowing removes developing seed pods and prevents sexual reproduction. Only one Kansas population may be viable, where about 200 or more plants occur in a protected and fire-managed tallgrass prairie. Fewer than 20 former haymeadow populations are preserved on public prairies in Missouri, and only one site contains a large population. A second large, apparently viable, population occurs in fire-managed igneous glade habitat in southeastern Missouri, where several hundred or more plants are present. The southern Iowa populations occupy prairie remnants and several haymeadows, and seed production has occurred at only one of these sites. The southern Illinois population comprises four small colonies, each of which appears to be a single clone.

Current demographic monitoring is being used to help understand whether the few larger preserved populations of Mead's milkweed are viable. The great longevity of adult plants could be masking slow long term demographic declines if rates of seedling establishment are below a threshold of viability. Related research is also seeking to learn whether viable populations can be restored. Tecic et al. (1998) studied the genetic diversity of the species.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has management guidelines established for this species. (Smith 1997) Populations of this species are being monitored in Illinois.

Research is needed to determine whether practices such as haymowing and grazing can be compatible management schemes for viable milkweed populations. Prescribed burning appears to be the most important management need for this species, as it promotes flowering and maintains tallgrass prairie habitat. In smaller populations, supplemental cross-pollination or introduction of compatible genotypes may be needed to promote seed production.

The most important ex situ need is the maintenance of genetically diverse garden populations, as well as seed banks, that can serve as a resource for propagules used in population restoration.