Protected Species Lists

The agencies below maintain statewide lists of protected plant and animal species and information on their habitat requirements. Review each agency’s specific  information to determine what species might be present in your woodlands.

The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program maintains an inventory and serves as the state’s data source of information on state and federal threatened and endangered plants and wildlife, habitats of particular conservation concern and stewardship actions designed to benefit these important natural resources. On their website you can find: Rare Plant and Animal Lists Species/Community Search Natural Heritage Areas Within the State Using Natural Heritage Program data, the USFWS has developed a County List of federally protected species by each North Carolina county. For information about species that might be present on your Tree Farm search by county here.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is the state government agency created to conserve and sustain the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use, and public input. NCWRC is responsible for the listing and protection of the state’s nongame species under N.C. General Statutes – Chapter 113 Article 25. On their website you can find the following about protected species: Protected Wildlife Species of North Carolina Private Lands Program and Staff

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  makes certain that rare and imperiled species get the protection they need through listing them to the federal list of threatened and endangered species, working to recover them; and reviewing certain projects to minimize or eliminate impacts to listed species. USFWS maintains a database of listed species that is searchable by state, species or county.   On their website you can find the following about protected species: Endangered and Threatened Species, and Species of Concern by State Species Proposed for Listing