Western Lily (Lilium occidentale) and Pitkin Marsh lily (Lilium pardalinum ssp. pitkinense) Genomic Study

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.