The Plant Conservation Program is responsible for the listing and protection of North Carolina's endangered plants and threatened plant species. It was established by passage of the Plant Protection and Conservation Act in 1979. The program maintains the list of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern plant species; enforces regulations and issues permits concerning state-listed plant species; carries out field projects in biology, monitoring and managing populations of listed species; provides educational materials to the public; and monitors trade in American ginseng. The Act also established the Plant Conservation Board, a regulatory board representing botanical, horticultural, conservation, forestry, and agricultural interests, and the Plant Conservation Scientific Committee, an advisory group to the Board and the Program.