Conservation Program

The rare, Layia munzii, stands out in a field of Lastenia in the Carrizo Plain. Photo: Nick Jensen

The mission of the conservation program is to preserve native plant species and their habitats on public and private lands in California by advocating for the maximum protection of native plants and promoting science-based and ecologically-sound land management practices.

The Conservation Program staff and volunteers serve as advocates for science-based land management practices to conserve native plant species and their habitats on public and private lands in California. There are laws, regulations, and ordinances -- at all levels of government -- that are intended to protect plants. Some accomplish this goal, and we try to ensure they are used as intended. Others are less useful and we work with the appropriate jurisdiction or agency to re-examine and modify sections pertaining to plant issues. To achieve this mission, CNPS conservation work is primarily focused on:

• Regional Conservation Planning (e.g., Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP), Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCP), General Plans for cities and counties, Forest plans for lands managed by the US Forest Service, Conservation area plans for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management)
• Native Plant Conservation in Forest Environments
• Control of Invasive and Exotic Plants
• Policies and Regulations Supporting Native Plant Conservation
• Chapter Based Conservation Issues

Conservation at the State and Chapter levels

CNPS is a non-profit organization largely run by volunteers. Our nearly 10,000 members work to promote native plant conservation through 32 chapters located statewide. Many chapters have their own volunteer conservation director who dedicates time and expertise to address regional plant conservation issues. Conservation issues of statewide importance are managed by the CNPS Conservation Program Director in Sacramento. The Conservation Program Director works closely with the Executive Director, Vegetation Program, Rare Plant Program, and Education Program staff, and CNPS volunteers to develop and promote the CNPS conservation strategy.

CNPS – Campaigning for Native Plant Preservation and Protection

Since 1965, the members of the California Native Plant Society have campaigned for the conservation of California’s botanical heritage through various means. Below are links to advocacy materials for plant conservation.

Coreopsis Hill in the Guadeloupe-Nipomo Dunes. Photo credit: Nick Jensen

What is a Native Plant?

Go Plants - Color brochure about native plant protection issues (pdf)

Plant Conservation Fact Sheet (PDF, 109k)

Equal Protection for Plants -- Did you know that plants are afforded almost no protection under the Federal Endangered Species Act?
Equal Protection for Plants Campaign (PDF, 67k)

Native Plant Conservation Campaign -- A joint project between CNPS and the Center for Biological Diversity to elevate plant protection in the United States.

California Listed Threatened and Endangered Plants are Protected Under the California Endangered Species Act -- Reprinted from the California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, September 1999 (PDF, 219k)

Endangered Species Acts Must Protect Plants - Plant conservation fact sheet (pdf)

Why does the California Native Plant Society oppose the Native Plant Protection Act (PDF, 103k)

State Listing Petition - Format and Instructions (Word 97 Format, 46k)

DFG Guidelines for Assessing the Effects of Proposed Projects on Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants and Plant Communities