Western Lily (Lilium occidentale) and Pitkin Marsh lily (Lilium pardalinum ssp. pitkinense) Genomic Study
Summary
SCH Number
2026060049
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Western Lily (Lilium occidentale) and Pitkin Marsh lily (Lilium pardalinum ssp. pitkinense) Genomic Study
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/2/2026
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a California Endangered Species Act and Native Plant Protection Act scientific, educational, or management permit to Thomas Givnish (Permit No. 2081(a)-26-007-RP) pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081, subdivision (a), and California Code of Regulations, Title 14, section 786.9, subdivision (c). The permit authorizes the export, take, and possession of a small amount of plant tissue from western Lily (Lilium occidentale) and Pitkin Marsh lily (Lilium pardalinum ssp. pitkinense) for a genomic study investigating North American lilies. Plant tissue collection for the Project is expected to occur in June or early July 2026. Four leaves will be collected from a single western lily plant at Crescent City Marsh Wildlife Area and Table Bluff Ecological Reserve. In addition, four leaves will be collected from each of two Pitkin Marsh lily plants. For each plant sampled, two leaves will be sliced into 2-mm wide strips, placed into tubes containing RNAlater, stored over ice, and sent to Novogene processing facilities for RNA extraction and sequencing. The remaining two leaves from each plant will be dried in silica gel and stored at room temperature at the Permitee’s laboratory facilities in Wisconsin for reference purposes and potential future whole genome sequencing. Photographs of flowers will be taken as virtual vouchers. Findings will help guide species management by informing climate-based species distribution models, potential assisted migration needs, and conservation priorities based on genetic divergence among species and subspecies.
Contact Information
Name
Joanne Heraty
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist- Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Thomas Givnish
Agency Name
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Botany
Job Title
Professor Emeritus
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Counties
Del Norte, Sonoma
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
The Project may occur at the following locations in Del Norte County and Sonoma County: (1) Crescent City Marsh Wildlife Area (California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) Element Occurrence (EO) 28 for western lily; (2) Table Bluff Ecological Reserve (CNDDB EO 22) for western lily; and (3) Pitkin Marsh (CNDDB EO 3) for Pitkin Marsh lily. Leaf tissue samples will be transferred to Novogene Corporation Inc. in Sacramento, California for RNA extraction and sequencing. Additional tissue may be stored and analyzed at the Permittee’s laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15306, Class 6
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of basic data collection and research intended to advance the genetic understanding of two state-listed endangered species: western lily and Pitkin Marsh lily. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife includes measures to ensure that research activities do not adversely affect existing populations of either species.
County Clerks
Del Norte, Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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