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Golden Paintbrush Conservation Program

The Golden Paintbrush Conservation Program is an effort to conduct on-the-ground recovery actions and outreach for this endangered species.

What is golden paintbrush?

Golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) is a perennial member of the Scrophulariaceae that is endemic to the Pacific Northwest in western British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. The species is currently considered extirpated from Oregon. Paintbrush species are hemiparasites, meaning their roots attach to the roots of other plants and draw resources from them. Golden paintbrush is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered.

Reintroductions

We are currently conducting large-scale reintroductions of golden paintbrush at a variety of locations in western Oregon to complement efforts in Washington and British Columbia. With funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and assistance from community volunteers, we are placing plants into the wild with the objective of re-establishing viable populations in a portion of the species range where it has been lost for over 70 years.

Volunteer Opportunities

Occasionally we need volunteers to help with planting and monitoring our reintroduction sites. Stay tuned for further opportunities. We are grateful for the help of our volunteers.

The Golden Paintbrush Challenge!

Is there any more golden paintbrush out there anywhere? This endangered species has dwindled to just a few populations populations in Washington and is believed to be extinct in Oregon. If biologists could find more populations in the wild, conservation of this species could be vastly improved.

Click here to learn more about the Golden Paintbrush Challenge.