On Monday, March 27, 2023, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating April 2023 as “National Native Plant Month” and recognizing the importance of native plants to environmental conservation and restoration, as well as in supporting a diversity of wildlife. It has been assigned a S.Res. number (118th Congress 2023-2024) and is awaiting Senate approval.
“There are thousands of native plant species in the U.S. and Hawaii is home to over 40 percent of our country’s threatened and endangered plant species,” said Senator Hirono. “In Hawaii, native plants are crucial to the islands’ history, culture, and environment, which is why our communities prioritize the preservation of our unique biodiversity. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution recognizing April as National Native Plant Month and I encourage people in Hawaii and across the country to learn more about their local native plants and explore opportunities to preserve these valuable species.”
“As a lifelong outdoorsman, I know that native plants are key to the conservation of our environment and the preservation of biodiversity,” said Senator Braun. “Indiana is home to over 1,700 native plants, so I’m proud to join in the effort to designate April as National Native Plant Month.”
The full text of the resolution is available here.
Since the first National Native Plant Month was first celebrated in April 2021, more groups have joined this initiative each year. Nearly 150 groups in 49 states have expressed support of the Senate Resolution to designate April 2023 as National Native Plant Month, including the Native Plant Society of Texas.
“The Native Plant Society of Texas enthusiastically supports the designation of April 2023 as National Native Plant Month,” said Meg Inglis, Executive Director of the Native Plant Society of Texas. “Our mission as a statewide nonprofit organization is to promote the conservation, research, and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example. National recognition of the importance of maintaining native plant communities and limiting invasive plants is essential for promoting the resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.
La Sociedad de Plantas Nativas de Texas apoya con entusiasmo la designación de abril de 2023 como el Mes Nacional de las Plantas Nativas. Nuestra misión como organización estatal sin fines de lucro es promover la conservación, la investigación y la utilización de plantas nativas y hábitats de plantas de Texas a través de la educación, la divulgación y el ejemplo. El reconocimiento nacional de la importancia de mantener las comunidades de plantas nativas y limitar las plantas invasoras es esencial para promover la resiliencia de los ecosistemas de nuestro planeta.”
Meg Inglis, Executive Director
