April 2021 was the First
NATIONAL Native Plant Month!
In 2019, Nancy Linz, Nathan Johnson, and Hope Taft worked together to pass a law in Ohio designating the month of April as Ohio Native Plant Month. Ohio became the first State in the country to have a law designating an entire month to native plants!
In late 2019, Nancy wondered if similar legislation might be possible at the national level. She reached out to Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) to ask if he had any interest in supporting this type of legislation nationally. In January of 2021, Senator Portman’s office called to say he loved the idea and he offered to be the lead co-sponsor of a Senate Resolution to recognize the importance of native plants. Only two months later, a resolution was approved in the senate with unanimous bipartisan support designating April 2021 as the FIRST National Native Plant Month.
The Goal: To encourage everyone across the country to celebrate native plants during the month of April by hosting educational programs, planting native trees and shrubs, removing non-native invasive plants from their yards and communities, working on pollinator projects with school children, replacing lawn areas with thriving native plant habitats, installing native gardens to supporting bees, birds, butterflies and all wildlife, and pulling together during this one month each year to make a difference by promoting the many benefits of native plants.
We owe Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) a huge THANK YOU for being the founding, bipartisan, co-sponsors of this important legislation for native plants in 2021 and 2022!
Since this is a Senate Resolution and not a law, it needs to renewed each year. With the retirement of Senator Portman in 2022, Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) has kindly agreed to co-sponsor the renewal of this legislation with Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in 2023 and 2024.
Please help spread the word and share in the celebration of native plants every April!
Senate Resolution Wording
Designating April as ‘‘National Native Plant Month’’.
Whereas native plants are indigenous species that have evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat;
Whereas there are more than 17,000 native plant species in the United States, which include trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and wildflowers;
Whereas native plants help prevent flooding, drought, and erosion and can help restore damaged ecosystems;
Whereas native plants provide shelter as well as nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot;
Whereas more than 200 of the native plant species in the United States are estimated to have been lost since the early 19th century;
Whereas habitat loss and degradation, extreme weather events, and invasive species have contributed to the decline of native plants in the United States; and
Whereas native plants are essential components of resilient ecosystems and our natural heritage: Now, therefore, be it Resolved,
That the Senate—
(1) designates April as ‘‘National Native Plant Month’’; and
(2) recognizes the benefits of native plants to the environment and economy of the United States.