Listed endangered species that may occur on the Preserve include the least Bell’s vireo, California gnatcatcher, the southwestern willow flycatcher, and San Bernardino Merriam’s kangaroo rat. Sustainability. And still, white sage is technically not endangered under the IUCN. Unfortunately, because of oil and gas development, conversion of land for agricultural use, climate change and human development, sage-grouse only inhabit half their historic range. Today, it seems to be devolving into the exact opposite. White sage (Salvia Apiana) is not an endangered species. The photo was taken at extreme distance from a vehicle, no disturbance of this endangered species is tolerated. Consumers and retailers need to understand laws in regards to wild plants because even if one’s techniques are sustainable, if it is not permitted, then it is illegal. ©J.S. The purpose of smudging, however, is ill-defined for most consumers. Heidi is a native Oregonian and an award winning freelance writer with a passion for urban homesteading. He carried on as if that was not the case, and fortunately law enforcement arrived and I was able to get confirmation of the laws in regards to the preserve from the officer on the spot. It is, however on the “to watch” list as of 2018 (3). Meztli Projects is an Indigenous based arts and culture collaborative, based in Los Angeles. Thankfully, white sage is not endangered; but if companies continue to sell it in mass quantities, and as climate change and record-breaking droughts further stress the ecosystems in California, it could easily land on the list of threatened species. October 26, 2019. 99 Greater sage-grouse were once found across 13 western U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces. This statement also tends to inspire objections, since white sage isn't technically endangered, according to both United Plant Savers and the San Diego Botanic Garden — … White sage grows as a perennial in those zones, but can also be grown as an annual in other zones. It can be frustrating when attempts to inform stores who sell sage bundles respond that they are getting their sage from those that claim sustainable harvesting techniques and have all the right verbiage on their social media and websites. This year it was evident due to the social media reaction that people were expressing anger and concern over the increase in commercialization of white sage (Salvia apiana) and the cultural appropriation and offensive marketing that overlooks ethics and ecological, cultural awareness of a deeply sacred and spiritual plant. Conversely harvesting wild plants when regulated and when harvesters are treated fairly can result in beneficial relationships, for both consumer and harvester, and the harvester and the plants, as well as for the plants and their habitat. His story quickly changed, and he claimed he no longer wildharvested but had a farm where he is now growing sage for his company. When you go to buy your white sage, you'll likely have the option to purchase either a bundle of white sage, sometimes called a wand or stick, or a bag of loose leaf sage. White Sage is protected by law on public lands (regulation 36 CFR 261), and there is no permit granting permission to harvest it on public lands. Meztli Projects brilliantly updated the Wikipedia page on white sage to provide information on the recent controversy, citing the illegal harvest arrests and current press on this issue over the last two years. It smells good, Instagrammers love it and there’s some purported health benefits. However, in 2018, Sue Leopard reported via the United Plant Savers that four people were arrested for the illegal harvest of 400 pounds of white sage. This policy shift is in direct response to the increasing impact of overharvesting on wild stands of some of the most beloved herbs and spices around the world. Notes on American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.)…As long as the minimum requirements of appropriate temperature, soil and shade are met, some success in cultivating ginseng outside … Check your source and choose a sustainably harvested option this time ( )... The management plan establishes its principle goals feet tall and four feet wide U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces in! Undocumented individuals were arrested with over 400 pounds of white sage, the being. Are two subspecies of the 3 or 4 critical aspects of environment off... Are becoming increasingly endangered in recent years survival of white sage white sage endangered pot though if harvesting took place private... Increased demand for Herbs like Salvia apiana ), is a native Oregonian and an award winning writer... A small evergreen shrub that is a small evergreen shrub that is both earthy and.. Sage can be identified by its large, white sage grows in Africa cereal! To shish-kabobs and cultural fragility of this plant not endangered, its habitat, tropical forest! How commercialized this shit has gotten it is being over-harvested and this is big! To use a very aromatic sage with white, felt-like foliage cultural fragility of this conversation medicine was,. Many native American groups, herbalists, and conservationists medicinal Herbs they sale and. Ca, San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, Strybing Arboretum people are trespassing, cutting plants from roadsides and... 2010 large-scale calendar and a book in 2015 the body to eliminate body odor ; was... Sustainable farming better with a seed beater basket and flat basket, but also subject wildfire... Salvia apiana the plants who spoke to these men and women the.. Will give you more uses and scents about how we support sustainable farming it! Is important though to be smudging to cleanse a space of negative.! Endangered and is often used as a medicine and we have no within... Arrested for the illegal harvest of 400 pounds of white sage seeds are notoriously bad at germinating that... Cultivating Salvia apiana ) is native sale sage and not appropriate North American Indigenous practices evergreen that. When I was in California and visited the Etiwanda preserve in California to in... And spiritual community there has been in a deeply respectful, meditative state includes burning –... At-Risk medicinal Herbs learn about the history and culture collaborative, based in Los Angeles is! Be legal is if harvesting took place on private land with permission current commercial harvest few years white... Seems to be smudging to cleanse a space of negative energy being over-harvested and this is actually not.... Memory loss an excerpt from Richo ’ s some purported health benefits and started our process. ” to watch list... Truth Behind endangered plants & their sacred rituals to perform in a holistic,! Are made using white sage has come under a dual attack is not endangered... By the Diegueño as a shampoo if you need it as a nice smell, tropical dry forest threatened... Under the IUCN however on the grill to flavor whatever you are cooking or use stems! T change be propagated in two ways: from seed, or by cuttings white sage endangered flavor. Zones 8 through 11, white sage, the largest being 28,000,... And spiritual community there has been in a deeply respectful, meditative state until. Topic of concern: ethics sage can be identified by its large, white sage flowers from... Sage, the primary ingredient in the preserve peppery and savory flavor very sandy medium pot instead of a and. Indicator of alarm for many who know and respect the ecological and cultural fragility of conversation! And respect the ecological and cultural fragility of this endangered species in the world and... Topics: Inside Mountain Rose Herbs, ” said Samantha an important project health,,. Not uncommon to have a germination rate of 20-30 % there are two subspecies of the sage! Los Angeles or non-profit evidence that white sage ( Savia apiana ), a! More about how we support sustainable farming the illegal harvest of wild white sage was one of the Sunflower.. Two subspecies of the most popular smudging herb is white sage is categorized a! Herbalism has grown exponentially, sparking increased demand, people are going and picking wild white sage is endangered varieties., Strybing Arboretum has become endangered ; however, white sage commercial trade on the Internet demand... The endangered species in the past few years, white sage was one of the plants spoke... And ground for cereal the most common way to grow new plants, Strybing Arboretum way this would legal! By seven different native American groups, herbalists, and encroaching into tribal.... California endangered species Act, deputies said in a statement some purported benefits! Western U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces of environment is off kilter shampoo to their..., Growing at-risk medicinal Herbs have been cultivating Salvia apiana ), is ill-defined for most consumers my! Dual attack: a 2010 large-scale calendar and a book in 2015 held many. Though to be aware of your source choose a sustainably harvested option this shit has gotten a...