How are rare native plants protected in the U.S.?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of our federal government, uses information from biologists nationwide to decide which species are threatened and endangered throughout the country. These species may then be legally protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973. Under this law, all plant species that are placed on the list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants cannot be exported or imported, sold without permits, or removed from federal lands. Violators may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail! Plants may also be protected by state governments in various ways. To find out more about plant protection in your state, call your state department of conservation or natural resources. Many private organizations also promote plant conservation. CPC is the only national organization in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to preventing the extinction of our rare native plants. As a network of 25 botanical gardens and arboreta that stores and grows
