Established in 1978 to care for plants confiscated through CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) violations, the program assigns seized endangered species to Plant Rescue Centers. The confiscated plants are held together for a 30-day wait period while attempts are made to return them to their native habitat. If the country of origin abandons the plants, then the Plant Rescue Center may then integrate them into their collections.

The Biological Sciences Greenhouse Facility at The Ohio State University hosts a Plant Rescue Center through this program. Our facility staff nurses and maintains plants which have been illegally imported into the United States. Strict government regulations require all plant materials entering the country to have an import permit and undergo thorough inspection. This is essential for thwarting the introduction of insect pests, weeds and diseases which can threaten our native plants and devastate agricultural crops.

The program was developed by the US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. There are currently 69 Plant Rescue Centers located in 25 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.