Conservation Advocates Praise Passage of Portman’s Resolution Designating April as National Native Plant Month
Wildlife, garden, and other conservation advocates from Ohio and around the country support Senator Portman’s bipartisan resolution designating April 2021 as “National Native Plant Month,” which was passed unanimously by the Senate on March 25. This resolution recognizes the importance of native plants to environmental conservation and restoration, as well as in supporting a diversity of wildlife.
The following conservation advocates have voiced their support for the resolution:
“The Ohio Native Plant Month organization supports the resolution sponsored by Senators Portman and Hirono to designate the month of April as National Native Plant Month. This national recognition will provide a platform for numerous educational opportunities in April including school programs on the importance of native plants, outdoor hikes, workshops to remove invasive plant species, and the planting of trees and other native plants to help improve our ecosystems.” – Nancy Linz, Co-Founder and President of Ohio Native Plant Month
“The passage of the National Native Plant Month resolution is great news for our national parks and their iconic plants from asters at Cuyahoga Valley, to whitebark pine at Yellowstone to seagrasses at Everglades. This resolution will help our native plants continue to combat flooding, drought and erosion in parks that continue to intensify because of climate change, as well provide critical shelter and protection for park wildlife like cactus in Saguaro. We commend Senators Portman and Hirono for their leadership in getting this resolution over the finish line, and their continued support for our nation’s native plants.” – Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association
“This resolution recognizes the benefits of native plants for people, birds and other wildlife. We thank Senators Portman and Hirono for introducing this resolution and the Senate for passing it. From a changing climate to habitat loss, birds face a myriad of challenges to find natural spaces. Native plants provide shelter and food for birds, and – because they are adapted to local conditions – don’t require pesticides or synthetic fertilizer and need less watering. Planting natives, wherever you are, helps the environment and provides critical resources for birds as we approach nesting season.” – John Rowden, Senior Director for Bird-Friendly Communities at the National Audubon Society
“The Garden Club of America commends Senators Portman and Hirono for the passage of a resolution to designate April as National Native Plant Month. Native plants preserve the natural history of the flora and fauna of the American landscape. Our ecosystem benefits from native plants – stabilizing soil, filtering water, cleaning air, and supporting wildlife. Once these plants become established, they require less watering and need no chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides to thrive. This official designation will create an opportunity to educate gardeners about the benefits of using native plants and, hopefully, result in more native plants being introduced into the local landscape.” –Debbie Edwards, President, Garden Club of America
“We encourage all Americans to incorporate native plants into their gardens and landscapes this spring. The National Wildlife Federation supports Senator Rob Portman and Senator Mazie Hirono’s resolution to designate this April as National Native Plant Month. This resolution reminds all Americans that by planting native plants at home and throughout the community, we can all create healthy, thriving habitat that helps wildlife species like the iconic monarch butterfly, pollinators, song birds and others.” – Patrick Fitzgerald, Senior Director of Community Wildlife, National Wildlife Federation
“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.” – Jen Ainsworth, Executive Director of Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes
“The Nature Conservancy wants to thank both Senators Portman and Hirono for their work to achieve Senate approval of the resolution naming April 2021 National Native Plant Month. Highlighting the importance of our native plants couldn’t be timelier. The numbers are striking. Of the approximately 3,000 plant species known to occur in the wild in Ohio, about 25 percent are non-native and upwards of 100 of those are considered invasive. These invasive species not only impact our forests, wetlands, and streams, but also our economy, health, and safety. We are appreciative of the Senators nonpartisan commitment to conservation and this resolution and declaration complement the growing nationwide effort to help native ecosystems, protect against harmful invasive species and bring back our declining pollinators. Native plants are good for Ohio and our country, good for the environment, and good for business.” – Tracy Freeman, Director of Government Relations for The Nature Conservancy in Ohio
“I am so proud that Ohio has helped lead this effort to celebrate our nation’s native plants. As we move into spring planting season, I encourage everyone to create their own backyard nature preserve by planting native and encouraging your neighbors to do the same.” – Dr. Cory Christopher, Director of Conservation at the Cincinnati Nature Center
“The Dawes Arboretum is thrilled with the passage of the Senate resolution that establishes April as National Native Plant Month. The passing of this resolution will provide an even greater platform to help raise awareness of the critical and essential role native plants play in our everyday lives. As an Ohio Native Plant Learning Center, The Dawes Arboretum looks forward to celebrating National Native Plant Month by expanding educational opportunities that further promote an appreciation and understanding of Ohio native plants.” – Luke Messinger, Executive Director of the Dawes Arboretum, located in Newark, OH
“Our native plants are cornerstones of our environment, and crucial to the health and success of pollinators, wildlife, and our economy. The Ohio Environmental Council applauds Senator Portman and Senator Hirono for their leadership in recognizing and celebrating America’s natural heritage and ecological bounty. Let’s make April 2021 National Native Plant Month and let’s get planting!” – Heather Taylor-Miesle, Executive Director of the Ohio Environmental Council
“Summit Soil and Water Conservation District (SSWCD) supports the resolution to designate April 2021 as National Native Plant month. Native plants are extremely crucial on several levels. They provide nutrient rich food and habitat for our native animals and insects, they do not require fertilizer or watering, increase soil structure, organic matter, soil health and infiltration of surface water which reduces downstream flooding.” – Brian Prunty, District Administrator
“The Great Healthy Yard Project applauds the adoption of Native Plant Month as a way to change the aesthetic of American yards. With native plants Americans can have more beautiful yards without synthetic chemicals. Since these chemicals wash from our yards into our drinking water, this is one of the best ways to protect our water and our families’ health. Natural gardening with native plants is an enjoyable way to help the environment, our families, and wildlife.” – Diane Lewis, M.D. Author and Founder of The Great Healthy Yard Project
“The Florida Native Plant Society is pleased to support this resolution to promote a greater understanding of the importance of native plants to our wellbeing, our environment and our economy.” – Juliet Rynear, Executive Director of the Florida Native Plant Society
“Native plants provide each of our country's regions with unique beauty, from the foothills of the Appalachians to the coasts of Oregon. They are also the foundation of vast food webs that support an astounding diversity of wildlife. This recognition builds on the legacy of Lady Bird Johnson and native plant champions everywhere that have worked – and continue to work – tirelessly to bring awareness to our native plants.” – Lee Clippard, Deputy Director, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
“Native plants are the most powerful tool in our conservation tool box; without increasing their use and protection, we will fail in our conservation efforts. National Native Plant Month will help spread this important message. We can restore biodiversity and ecosystem function one person at a time – please plant natives and get on the Homegrown National Park™ MAP www.homegrownnationalpark.org.” – Dr. Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware
A comprehensive list of supporters include: North American Native Plant Society, National Audubon Society, the Garden Club of America, National Wildlife Federation, Midwest Native Plant Society, The Great Healthy Yard Project, the Wilderness Center, Weed Wrangle, Florida Native Plant Society, Audubon Society of Ohio, Black River Advisory Committee, Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District, Cincinnati Civic Garden Center, Davey Resource Group, Inc., Dawes Arboretum, Medina County Park District, Native Plant Society of Northeastern Ohio, Nature Scoop, Ohio Environmental Council, Ohio Native Plant Month, Summit Soil & Water Conservation District, the Cincinnati Nature Center, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, the Nature Conservancy for Ohio, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Native Plant Society of Oregon, Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, National Parks Conservation Association, North Carolina Native Plant Society, Washington Native Plant Society, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and Dr. Douglas Tallamy of the University of Delaware.
###