One of the reasons for decline in abundance of rare and threatened species, including lichens, is uncontrolled pressure on the natural environment. Cetraria steppae (Savicz) Kärnef. listed in the «Red Data Book of Ukraine» (2009) is endangered and could become extinct without future management and control of the steppe plots where the species occurs. Distribution of the species and reasons of its abundance decline in the South-East of Ukraine are considered; recommendations for conservation of C. steppae are given. K e y w o r d s: Cetraria steppae, South-East of Ukraine, Red Data Book of Ukraine.