Permits for Threatened and Endangered Plant Species

The killing or possession of California rare, threatened or endangered plant species (PDF) is prohibited by California law, however CDFW may issue permits authorizing the "take" or possession of these species under certain circumstances, such as for scientific, educational or management purposes or if the take is incidental to otherwise lawful activities and certain conditions are met. CDFW issues most of these permits to individuals to identify, document and voucher listed plant species (PDF), typically during botanical surveys, and may also issue permits to individuals or organizations for other scientific, educational or management purposes, most typically research or recovery actions for state-listed plant species. CDFW also partners with several botanic gardens and other institutions for ex-situ or “off-site” conservation of rare, threatened, and endangered plant species, and several California herbaria have collections of rare, threatened, and endangered plant specimens. See a list of facilities that have active agreements with CDFW.

Scientific collection permits for non-plant species

For more information on any of the topics above, please contact the Native Plant Program at nativeplants@wildlife.ca.gov.

Help Rare Plants at Tax Time

Lasthenia burkei CDFW Photo by Patrick Moeszinger
Lasthenia burkei 
CDFW Photo by Patrick Moeszinger