U.S. FWS
Environmental Conservation Online System
Conserving the Nature of America

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: Recovery Plan for the Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta)
Plan Status: Final
Plan Date: 23-Aug-00
Lead Agency: USFWS
Lead Office: Washington Fish And Wildlife Office ( (360) 753-9440 )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 1 111. Management Plan, Rocky Prairie NAP Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 Washington Department of Natural Resources Management: General Species Expert Interim management plan completed; periodic review and revision will be necessary
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 112. Management plan, Forbes Point, Whidbey Island naval Air Station Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 United States Navy , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: General Species Expert Interim management plan completed; section 7 consultations between Navy and USFWS completed.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 113. Management plan, Fort Casey State Park Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2007 Washington State Parks, Whidbey Camano Land Trust Research: General Volunteer, Species Expert The Washington State Parks in collaboration with the Whidbey-Camano Land Trust completed a management plan in 2007.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 12. Promote protection of occurrences on private lands by pursuing the highest level of protection agreeable to the individual landowners Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2015 Washington Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Natural Heritage Program, Warren Road Associates Limited Partnership, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology Acquisition, Acquisition: Easement Species Expert, Internal Technical Assistance Options to be considered should include acquisition by a public agency or conservation organization, conservation easement, management agreement and registry.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 131. Conduct studies to clarify the mechanisms by which fire affects Castilleja levisecta Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2015 University of Washington School of Forestry, Washington State Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Natural Heritage Program, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation, Research: Management Techniques Volunteer, Graduate Student, Species Expert Evidence suggests that prescribed fire can be used to enhance populations. However, additional information is needed on the optimal time of year, severity and return interval. Costs for this task are mostly in design and implementation of the treatments. Cost for the final five years will be covered under research efforts.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 132. Conduct study to quantify and characterize encroachment by Douglas-fir, snowberry, Scots broom, bracken fern, roses, and blackberries Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2015 Washington State Parks Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation, Research: Management Techniques, Research: Competition Volunteer, Species Expert Some sites have undergone dramatic change in species composition in the last 10-15 years. The effects of this change on C. levisecta need to be better understood. Regular, site management implemented at protected, publicly owned locations: at Private locations some sites are regularly managed and other locations are treated intermittently..
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 133. Conduct studies to identify effective means (in addition to prescribed fire) of controlling competing vegetation Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 University of Washington School of Forestry, United States Navy , The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Research Institutions, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources Research: Management Techniques Volunteer, Graduate Student, Species Expert To successfully manage grassland habitat: we have developed and regularly implement efficient and effective methods to control competing vegetation without negatively affecting C. levisecta. These methods include mowing, prescribed fire, and judicious herbicide treatments during the dormant season.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 134. Monitor weedy species such as Hieracium pilosella and Cirsium arvense Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2016 Institute for Applied Ecology, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, University of Washington School of Forestry, Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Navy , Warren Road Associates Limited Partnership Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation, Research: Management Techniques Volunteer Noxious weed control is required by state law within some sites. Management prescriptions that use herbicides to eliminate noxious weeds may pose a threat to C. levisecta. We have successfully conserved C. levisecta by using set buffers around C. levisecta plants while treating weeds during the growing season.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 135. Conduct studies on herbivory by deer, rabbits, etc. Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 United States Navy , The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Research Institutions, Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation, Management: Predator and Competitor Control Volunteer, Species Expert Several occurrences of C. levisecta have herbivory annually. We have used fences or small exclosure cages to protect plants and exclude herbivores during the plants annual life cycle, thus promoting the development of seed that we later collect for reintroduction purposes.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 141. Determine and characterize the genetic variation within and between known occurrences of the species Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2005 British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Washington Department of Natural Resources, University of Washington School of Forestry, Institute for Applied Ecology, Washington Natural Heritage Program, Research Institutions, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research: Genetics Volunteer Information is critical to planning reintroduction
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 142. Investigate longevity of seed viability Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2006 Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Washington School of Forestry, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy Management: Reintroduction Graduate Student, Species Expert Important for assessing population trends and potentially for developing site management plans
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 143. Conduct research to better understand population dynamics of C. levisecta Partially Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2016 The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources, University of Washington School of Forestry, Institute for Applied Ecology Management: Reintroduction, Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation, Research: Population Surveys, Management: Population Monitoring Volunteer, Species Expert Critical for developing site management plans. Research has been conducted throughout the range of C. levisecta with several papers published on the subject.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 15. Develop and implement monitoring plans for all known sites Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2016 Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, Washington Natural Heritage Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Warren Road Associates Limited Partnership, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre Management: General Volunteer, Species Expert The individual land-managing agency should have the responsibility for monitoring their property. A plan is needed to ensure effective monitoring on private lands. One such plan was developed for the Neukom property, one of three adjacent private land parcels on San Juan Island.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 3 21. Continue efforts to relocate historically known occurrences, particularly in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Partially Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2016 British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology Research: Population Surveys Volunteer, Species Expert Small undetected populations may yet exist. We have conducted extensive survey efforts in the WIllamette Valley and elsewhere, with no new populations identified.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 22. Conduct de novo inventories in suitable habitat throughout the historic and extant range Partially Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2014 British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Washington Natural Heritage Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology, Warren Road Associates Limited Partnership, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks Research: Population Surveys, Research: Demographic Studies Volunteer, Species Expert Small, undetected populations may yet exist. If they do, they could play a key role in recovery efforts.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 23. Create a spatial database for inventory efforts, including negative searches Partially Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2016 Institute for Applied Ecology, Washington State Parks, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research: Population Assessment, Management: Population Monitoring Volunteer, Species Expert Important for tracking status of each population
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 1 311. Identify and clarify site characteristics that are essential to sustain C. levisecta Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2010 The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Research Institutions, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources, University of Washington School of Forestry, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology Research: Habitat Requirements Species Expert This task is partially addressed by task 143
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 312. Determine how to quickly establish viable plants and ultimately populations of the species. Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2006 The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, University of Washington School of Forestry, Institute for Applied Ecology Research: Management Techniques Volunteer, Species Expert Funding is included under seed viability studies, task 142.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 313. Conduct research to ascertain whether, or under what circumstances, C. levisecta requires a host plant to survive and/or reproduce Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2009 The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources, University of Washington School of Forestry, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology Research: Habitat Requirements, Research: Management Techniques Volunteer, Species Expert identifying requirements relating to host plants will be critical to successful establishment of new populations
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 1 32. Develop a plan for reintroducing C. levisecta into unoccupied areas of its historic and extant range. Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2005 The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Washington Natural Heritage Program, Washington State Parks, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Natural Resources, University of Washington School of Forestry, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology Research: Reintroduction Volunteer, Species Expert Recovery of C. levisecta will be highly dependent upon on successful reintroductions (assisted migration).
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 33. Implement reintroduction plan Ongoing Current FY 2005 FY 2015 Washington State Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Natural Heritage Program, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Warren Road Associates Limited Partnership, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology Management: Reintroduction, Research: Reintroduction Volunteer, Species Expert Recovery will be highly dependent on successfully implementing reintroduction of the species throughout its historic range.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 3 41. Develop and conduct training programs (e.g. to be given to concerned agency personnel, as well as private landowners, etc) Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2016 British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Washington State Parks, Washington Natural Heritage Program, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Warren Road Associates Limited Partnership, Institute for Applied Ecology, Whidbey Camano Land Trust Management: General, Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation, Management: Population Monitoring Volunteer, Species Expert Important for disseminating information to resource professionals and landowners on the Best Management Practices for successfully managing the species
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 3 42 Develop a brochure or fact sheet for public dissemination Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2007 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Washington Natural Heritage Program, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Institute for Applied Ecology Other: Information and Education Species Expert Broaden awareness of the public regarding the species.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 3 43. Develop and disseminate species information to private landowners Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2007 The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Washington Natural Heritage Program, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Washington State Parks, Warren Road Associates Limited Partnership, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Institute for Applied Ecology Other: Information and Education Volunteer, Species Expert Broaden awareness of the public regarding the species
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 3 51. Promote development and implementation of new laws and ordinances for the protection of C. levisecta Partially Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Natural Heritage Program, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Washington Department of Natural Resources Other: Regulations Species Expert Investigate opportunities for improving legal protection for the species
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 2 52. Promote compliance with all state laws and county ordinances and regulations protecting C. levisecta Partially Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2016 Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Institute for Applied Ecology, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Planning, Other: Information and Education, Other: Regulations Internal Technical Assistance Coordinate conservation efforts within existing legal framework
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 3 6. Establish a technical working group to annually review the status of the species and assess the effectiveness of the management plans and other recovery tasks. Use adpative mangement principles, if needed. Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2016 Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Natural Heritage Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, University of Washington School of Forestry, Institute for Applied Ecology Management: Planning Species Expert To annually reveiw ongoing recovery actions and to implement adaptive management as new information become available.
Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) 3 7. Collect seed adequately representing the genetic diversity within the species and store in a Center for Plant Conservation approved facility Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2015 Institute for Applied Ecology, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Warren Road Associates Limited Partnership, Washington Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State Parks, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, United States Navy , University of Washington School of Forestry, Washington Natural Heritage Program Management: Propagation Volunteer, Species Expert Assist with reintroduction as insurance against future extinction
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