Good News Following Dudleya Poaching

By Michael Kauffmann

Those of us who’ve been following the recent Dudleya poaching were happy to see this week’s news that three poachers have been convicted in Humboldt County. The convictions follow the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s recent efforts to catch thieves working along coastal Mendocino and Humboldt counties.

CDFW has been working with the CNPS North Coast Chapter and Redwood National and State Parks to alert the community to the poaching and organize replanting parties. Watch for the upcoming issue of CNPS Flora magazine for a special photo essay on this important collaboration. (The magazine is free to CNPS members, so if you’re not a member, please consider joining today!) 

In the meantime, please take a moment to review and share these four ways you can help prevent and stop future poaching efforts.

1. Promote leave no trace ethics.

2. Insist that collectors purchase plants from certified nurseries.

3. Obscure geoprivacy settings on databases like iNaturalist and Calflora.

4. Report Poaching! From CalTip: Anyone who believes they are witness to unlawful poaching or pollution activity is encouraged to call CalTIP, CDFW’s confidential secret witness program, at (888) 334-2258 or send a text to tip411. Both methods allow the public to provide wildlife officers with factual information to assist with investigations. Callers may remain anonymous, if desired, and a reward can result from successful capture and prosecution.

Michael Kauffmann works as an educator, editor for the journal Fremontia of the California Native Plant Society, founder and president of the Bigfoot Trail Alliance,  and owner and author at Backcountry Press. Read more about his experiences with the Dudleya replanting on his blog.