OrangeCones

Well, the topic says it all. I'm new in Iowa (don't ask, its not permanent!), and would like to collect some native plants to start another planted tank.

Is there some government agency I should consult? I asked the park ranger I met at a park while hiking and all he could say was 'umm...I dunno....good question....'

Anyone have any ideas? I think I'll take a canoe trip and see what can be found!

Philosophos

I've never found anyone who cares here in Idaho. I've collected in an area maintained by the dept. of fish and game, right beside their offices. I've talked to the staff their about it, and they were fine. Parks and Wildlife didn't seem to care much either. Most of the time they're trying to kill these plants off rather than grow them.

-Philosophos

TAB

go down to your local fish and game office. they will either give you the info your looking for, or be able to direct you to the person that can help you.

marrow

You better get on it. The season is drawing to a close.

davemonkey

You don't need permission to collect any plants unless the plants you want are either endangered/rare or invasive/prohibited. Some State Parks or Federal Preserves have rules/regulations on collecting plants, but by-and-large you can collect most plants in most places.

-Dave

mudboots

When in doubt, sneak it out

armedbiggiet

regular park its okay but State park?? I do not think so cause like Hawaii is a state park and they would not allow any thing out of the island, the only thing I know you get bring it back is the Pineapple and not even the kind you get at localls it have. Same thing with the Yellow stone and Mt. Rainer. I am not so sure now but I though all state park are all the same...

mudboots

In Texas there's no issue with collecting as long as it's not a "listed" plant (T&E species or Noxious Invasive). While in another state up north I was told to say "These are for research" but was never asked why I was collecting specimens. Examples of species that'd raise eyebrows in Texas would be water hyancinth and that Crypt. that grows in the San Marcos River.

My guess is that Hawaii is strict because you're crossing overseas with something that could potentially get out of hand (if you're headed to the in-land states), plus it's a hot-spot of species that could be seen as limited resources.

Noto

Sorry, I realize this is a late reply, but no one gave you a very good answer. Most of the specific examples dealt with Texas, which has much less restrictive laws than most states.

Plants belong to the landowner, and you must have landowner permission to legally collect plants. You can just ask the landowner in most cases, but state and national parks have a formal permit application process. You can get in serious hot water for illegally collecting flora from a park, so don't do it!

Of course you can also get in trouble for collecting a state- or federally-protected species, even with landowner permission. Familiarize yourself with any protected wetland species likely to occur in the area before you go out collecting.

Fish and game agencies typically do not concern themselves with plants. Most states have a Department of the Environment, Dept. of Conservation, or similarly named agency that handles flora, invertebrates, etc.

Also be sure to collect responsibly! If you only find one or two individuals of a species at a site, please don't take them, and try to minimize damage to the habitat while collecting. Many species can be propogated from seed, so that is an option for uncommon plants.

mudboots

Absolutely. For example, these little gems...





...on a three and a half mile trek through the woods these were the only ones I found in a teenie little niche of their own.