Endangered plants do have protections under state law, but not as much as botanists would like. The law restricts the harvest and sale of endangered or threatened plants, requiring permits in some cases or written permission of the landowner in others to destroy the plants. A commercial exploitation category was created to prevent people from going into the wild and digging up the plants and depleting natural communities, Coile said. If you know there's an endangered or threatened species on your property, you're supposed to contact the Division of Plant Industry to get a permit before moving it. However, landowners are exempt when building on a site or using it for agriculture.
Public agencies are exempt when performing a public service.
Spence doesn't think the laws will ever be more restrictive because too many powerful groups would lobby against such changes. People have tried to go through the legislatures at the state and federal levels, but there are no backers. Spence encourages people to landscape with native plants, which can be bought at local nurseries, he said. She hopes to see educational efforts that will continue to enlighten the state's residents. Each species is being nurtured in the wilds of West Volusia by botanists dedicated to their survival.