Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Plants - -   

The Endangered Species Act was written to protect extremely rare species from extinction. The Region has several species listed as endangered, threatened or proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The status of listed species tables for Oregon and for Washington  tell you where they are found. These species require special management on federal lands. Guidance for how to manage species is developed in recovery plans. The status of recovery planning efforts and other conservation documents is listed in these tables.  

The National Forest Management Act states that federal agencies need to maintain viable populations of all desired native plant species, and this includes our rare sensitive plant species. According to Forest Service Manual direction, the Regional Forester is directed to maintain a list of sensitive plants. This list includes Threatened, endangered and proposed species under the Endangered Species Act as well as sensitive species. Sensitive species are rare species that are threatened by human activities. If we do not manage for them, they could become the next species proposed for listing. The list was last updated April of 1999. The National Forest Management Act states that federal agencies need to maintain viable populations of all desired native plant species, and this includes our rare sensitive plant species. According to Forest Service Manual direction, the Regional Forester is directed to maintain a list of sensitive plants. This list includes Threatened, endangered and proposed species under the Endangered Species Act as well as sensitive species. Sensitive species are rare species that are threatened by human activities. If we do not manage for them, they could become the next species proposed for listing. The list was last updated April of 1999.

Photo by Wes Messinger

Botanists survey (look for) for these plant species in new projects- proposed roads, new trails, campground expansions, timber sales, grazing allotments, fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects, etc. The aim is to determine if plants are there and when they are, they make recommendations on how to let the project go forward while maintaining the plant population.

For sensitive species, we write conservation documents: Conservation Assessments and Conservation Strategies. This table shows which Forests have written documents for their rare species. An adjoining document which provides definitions of conservation documents may prove useful. 

Featured sensitive plant: Botrychium pumicola

    Survey and Manage Program - -   

The 1993 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (also known as the Northwest Forest Plan) created the survey and manage program as part of the standards and guidelines set up for all land allocations on the west side of the Cascades in Oregon, Washington and northern California and east side Cascade Forests within the range of the northern spotted owl. Species were placed on Table C-3 if they met 3 criteria: (a) within the range of the plan, (b) late-successional or old-growth associated, (c) reserve system did not appear to provide for a reasonable assurance of species persistence. Species groups that botanists are responsible for include lichens, bryophytes, fungi and vascular plants. Botanists conduct prefield reviews, predisturbance surveys and strategic surveys for target species. Survey protocols and management recommendations have been developed and are available for downloading (see link below).

Photo by Wes Messinger

The original FEIS was recently amended by the 2001 Record of Decision (ROD) for Amendment to the Survey& Manage, Protection Buffer, and other Mitigation Measures standards and Guidelines. Species on the list were allocated to one survey category, based on rarity and ability to survey within a single year. Botanists conduct pre-field reviews, pre-disturbance surveys (prior to any project that has the potential to disturb habitat) and strategic surveys across the range of the species according to Survey Protocols. When species are found, they recommend mitigation measures based on Management Recommendations.  An annual species review process was set up to evaluate species on the list to determine whether they still meet the 3 original criteria for being on the list (above). Many species were dropped from the original C-3 list and several were added by the 2001 ROD.

 The BLM web site features the planning documents, Survey Protocols and Management Recommendations for all survey and manage species.

    Restoration with Natives Program - -   

The restoration with natives program is relatively new. Forests began experimenting with native grass seed on roadcuts about 10 years ago. Since then, most Forest have contracts to grow out native grass species either with private growers or internally at J. Herbert Stone Nursery, an administrative unit of Rogue River National Forest. The scope of use of native seed has grown from erosion control on roads to use in burned area rehabilitation, fisheries and watershed projects and even as wildlife forage seed. One may see what some Forest are doing from their Forest Revegetation Reports. 

One of the difficult issues with natives is how far can we move them from their original location and still maintain genetic integrity? We do not want to import an ecotype that is not adapted to a region because it’s chances of survival are limited. Geneticists are helping determine seed movement guidelines through use common garden studies. Another question often asked is what species should I use? Many Forests have developed species to use. This information can be seen in the Research Findings section.

Lupinus polyphyllus Photo by Rod Clausnitzer

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   PNW Noxious Weed Program - -   

Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Agriculture

Botanists manage the noxious weed programs on many National Forests in the Pacific Northwest. The Regional Program priority is on prevention. Botanists develop educational materials and work with their Interdisciplinary Teams to ensure noxious weeds are adequately addressed in project level analyses using Best Management Practices and available contract provisions. Botanists are responsible for survey and mapping and development of appropriate treatment and follow-up monitoring of weed infestations. For more information on this program see the R6 PNW Noxious Weed Page.

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    Celebrating Wildflower Activities  - -   

Photo by Sheila Martinson

Celebrating Wildflowers is an educational program for all ages. It is designed to encourage participation in and awareness of our native flora. Region 6 has many annual plant festivals where you can learn about the local flora. Most Forests also offer field trips or other activities that you can participate in: Forest Activities. There are also Celebrate Wildflower programs outside the governmental agency.