Tahoe Yellow Cress Conservation

Tahoe yellow cress (Rorippa subumbellata) is a rare plant that only grows on the shores of Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada. This treasured native species is a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. By protecting Tahoe yellow cress now we can prevent it from becoming federally endangered and avoid further restrictions to protect the plant. Since the majority of its habitat is found on private property, this species cannot be protected without coordinated stewardship from private landowners. For this reason, the Nevada Tahoe Conservation District (NTCD) and Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD), in coordination with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), have developed a Tahoe Yellow Cress Stewardship Program to work with the community and private property owners to identify and conserve this special plant.

The program works by lakefront property owners first notifying the NTCD or Tahoe RCD that they would like to have their property examined for Tahoe yellow cress. Agency employees will then determine if the property has Tahoe yellow cress already growing or potential habitat for the plant on site. If so, they will work with the property owner to implement simple site specific conservation measures to help protect Tahoe yellow cress, such as:

• Removing non-native weeds to reduce competition with Tahoe yellow cress
• Planting nursery-grown Tahoe yellow cress
• Demarcating Tahoe yellow cress populations to discourage disturbance
• Monitoring Tahoe yellow cress to collect data on its presence, abundance, and habitat
• Train property owners to monitor Tahoe yellow cress and collect data on its presence, abundance, and habitat

This service is voluntary, private and at no cost to homeowners, the goal being to promote conservation and improvement of the Lake Tahoe Basin's natural resources. All information gathered through the Tahoe yellow cress Stewardship Program is protected by the Natural Resources Conservation Service Privacy Act.

To become a part of the program:
Nevada property owners in the Tahoe Basin please contact Gretchen Huie with NTCD at (775) 586-1610 ext. 25.

California property owners please contact Gretchen Eichar with the Tahoe RCD (530) 543-1501 ext. 122.

All community members can help conserve Tahoe yellow cress by participating in volunteer opportunities such as non-native weed removal, community plantings, and activities designed to protect Tahoe yellow cress habitat.

Please check the Keep Tahoe Blue Events page for scheduled volunteer events, and visit the Tahoe yellow cress website for more information on this unique plant.