Conservation Policies

The Lilium Species Foundation (LSF) is committed to conservation, responsible land stewardship, and ethical horticultural practice.

LSF discourages the collection of wild lilies when plants or seed are readily available from cultivated or responsibly propagated sources. Likewise, the introduction of lilies into wild habitats outside their natural genetic or geographic range, except as part of a legitimate, authorized restoration or research project, is considered inappropriate due to the potential risk to native populations.

Wild populations are best understood as irreplaceable sources of genetic diversity that should be protected first and foremost.

Policy Statements

The Lilium Species Foundation is dedicated to the study, preservation, propagation, documentation, and appreciation of the genus Lilium, with particular attention to its genetic diversity, ecological roles, and cultural significance.

We support efforts to protect wild habitats as the foundation for long-term species survival. These habitats sustain naturally adapted populations and preserve evolutionary processes that cannot be replicated in cultivation alone.

LSF recognizes that habitat loss and degradation—whether intentional or unintended—are among the leading causes of species decline worldwide. We therefore support initiatives that seek to conserve, restore, and responsibly manage native ecosystems.

We value education and outreach as effective tools for fostering respect for natural habitats and encouraging responsible interaction with native plant communities.

We also support the work of legitimate conservation organizations and institutions that maintain well-documented, genetically diverse living collections of threatened or endangered lilies, particularly where such collections contribute to research, long-term preservation, or habitat restoration.

Genetic Integrity and Introductions

LSF discourages the introduction of lilies into habitats where that genetic material does not naturally occur, except under carefully planned and authorized research or restoration efforts. Such projects should include appropriate safeguards to prevent unintended hybridization or ecological disruption.

Maintaining the genetic integrity of wild populations is an important component of responsible conservation practice.

Wild Collection and Commercial Use

LSF opposes large-scale or commercial collection of wild lilies, particularly from public lands or from populations that are rare, localized, or legally protected. We also discourage the misrepresentation of wild-collected plants as nursery-propagated material.

Responsible cultivation and transparent sourcing help reduce pressure on wild populations and support conservation goals.

Limited and Responsible Field Collection

LSF recognizes that, in limited circumstances, knowledgeable and responsible field collection has contributed to horticultural knowledge and reduced pressure on wild populations through propagation.

Accordingly, small-scale field collection may be considered appropriate only when:

• collection is legal and permitted

• only minimal material is taken

• the population is sufficiently robust

• the purpose is conservation-oriented propagation, study, or documentation

Rare or declining populations generally do not meet these criteria and should be left undisturbed.

Consideration for Rare Species

LSF encourages particular care when dealing with rare or sensitive lily species. In most cases, this means avoiding collection entirely unless there is clear evidence that removal will not negatively affect the population.

When uncertainty exists, restraint is the most responsible approach.

Guiding Principle

The Lilium Species Foundation promotes a conservation-first approach in which cultivation, study, and appreciation of lilies support—rather than compromise—the long-term survival of wild populations.