Your funny, yes, go ahead, dig up what you want.
Who in the world would you be hurting?
Just leave some for the drunks. LOL

I would consider it rescuing not stealing...:)

Lol. Thanks.

Since it's county land for general use and you're a county taxpayer, you have as much right to be there as anyone! My "personal ethics" for "plant rescuing" has always been: 1) Never take all the plants or a number of plants that would leave a "gap;" 2) Never damage the landscape; and 3) always put it back the way I found it (i.e. re-cover with dirt, etc). If possible I like to put plants back too that but's tricky as you are introducing something "they" might not want.

Oh and be REALLY careful to make sure no unwanted plants tag along with your prize. The first time I ever dug up wildflowers to bring home (years ago before I knew better) I accidentally brought a piece of Creeping Charlie along. That yard is full of Charlie to this day. Happy rescuing!

It sounds like the land belongs to the county, perhaps as a 'green space'. That might mean that this property belongs to the community, but is under municipal control.

I feel very strongly about taking plants from a woodland or native setting. I truly feel that those plants aren't yours to take. They are there for the enjoyment of all, not just you. And if you should take them, and I take some more, and everyone else who covets them decides to do the same thing....what then? We are losing a great many of our native plants due to this kind of attitude of entitlement. [I'm not saying that you are that way, but that so many people are it's become absolutely destructive.]

But if you decide to go ahead and take plants, I'd do everything to positively identify them before disturbing them. If on the protected, endangered, threatened lists, you'd be breaking the law. There is also a Federal list of such plants, as well as lists for each state.

The 'Name That Plant' forum is a great place to post pictures of these plants. You'll likely have an accurate response promptly. That way, you'll be better able to make the decision about whether or not to take the plants.

In NC you need permission on any type of land. All land belongs to someone or some municipality. Even the side of the road is technically part of the owner's land, but easements are granted to the government maintaining the road. I hate to see plants go under the bulldozer, but I also don't want to be arrested. Maybe it is ethical to rescue without permission, but it is not legal.

Two weeks ago we spent time tracking down the owner of a property where a crew had cut around a utility pole. In that part of the state, they usually come back and spray. Trillium catsbaei was all around the pole as were many other wildflowers. We knew that they were doomed, but we still found out who owned the property and got permission. Lots of work, but it made me feel better, and it made the project legal. Besides, you can get shot even being on private land in some of the mountain areas here!

I have tried to live by the rule that if you feel you must ask, you know that you should not be doing something.

Find the real owner and ask permission.

Your statement "I'm not planning on selling or trading any until it's a few years now and they've multiplied." leads me to the conclusion that you are going to sell what you take, therefore it is not a rescue.