It finally happened! In a grand bipartisan move, the U.S. Senate authorized this April 2021 as National Native Plant Month.
Senate Resolution 109 was introduced and co-sponsored by Rob Portman (R-OH) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to the Senate on March 15th. It was passed by unanimous vote on March 25th. Please join us in thanking our senators for supporting this resolution.
The two senators recognize the importance of native plants to environmental conservation and restoration, as well as in supporting a diversity of wildlife. Senator Hirono also co-sponsored the “Botany Bill” which seeks to improve management of botanical resources on federal public lands.
Supporters
This resolution includes Wild Ones and the Native Plant Societies of Florida, Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina, as well as our partners, the Garden Club of America and Doug Tallamy.
Here is the Wild Ones response: “Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Recognition of a Native Plant Month supports education and advocacy efforts in many organizations to restore native ecosystems and support all of our efforts to heal our planet,” said Jen Ainsworth, Executive Director of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes.
What can you do to help?
Please take a minute to mention this to like-minded friends, colleagues, and professional acquaintances, letting them know that April 2021 is Native Plant Month for the United States. Let’s see if the House of Representatives will agree.
You can help by reaching out to your representatives to let them know you support the bill and to ask them to co-sponsor/sign-on to the bill. E-mail or call your representative to ask them to introduce or co-sponsor a House companion resolution to Senate Resolution 109 designating April as National Native Plant Month. The benefits of native plants to the biodiversity, beauty, resilience, and economic security of this nation are grossly under-appreciated. This resolution will help raise awareness about the need to enjoy, conserve, and restore our country’s unique native-plant communities. Find Your Representative.
If the House sponsors a resolution, there is a renewed hope! We must keep the Botany Bill legislation alive.
Read: Botany Bill S2384.
Read: Botany Bill HR1572.
We hope this new recognition of the benefits of our native plants leads to an understanding of the circle of life. Who knows? The native plants may harvest carbon dioxide more efficiently through photosynthesis.
Read the full Press Release for the Resolution.
Read the Resolution.
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