Conservation Program

The rare, Layia munzii, stands out in a field of Lasthenia 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

Helenium bigelovii in the Klamath Mountains. Photo: Nick Jensen

CNPS is a non-profit organization largely run by volunteers. Our nearly 10,000 members work to promote native plant conservation through 33 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.

Conservation Program Contacts

For information about the CNPS Conservation Program, direct questions to the following Program contacts:

Greg Suba, Conservation Program Director
2707 K Street, Suite 1, Sacramento, CA 95816
Phone: (916) 447-2677 x-206
Fax: (916) 447-2727
E-mail: gsubacnps.org

Vern Goehring, Legislative Analyst
Phone: (916) 444-8194
E-mail: verncal.net

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