April Is Officially National Native Plant Month

National Native Plant Month Logo provided by https://www.nationalnativeplantmonth.org/

HAPPY NATIONAL NATIVE PLANT MONTH!

In a rare bipartisan conservation effort, Senate Resolution 570 was unanimously approved last month, ​designating April 2022 as National Native Plant Month. Co-sponsors Rob Portman (R-OH) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced the resolution to officially recognize the importance of native plants to the environment as we move towards an uncertain future.

Portman: I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution designating April 2022 as National Native Plant Month... From stabilizing soil and filtering air and water to providing shelter and food for wildlife, native plants play an indispensable role in supporting resilient ecosystems as well as in our everyday lives. This bipartisan resolution highlights the importance of native plants and celebrates our rich ecological heritage here in Ohio and across the nation.

Hirono: Native plants are an important piece of Hawaii’s history, culture, and environment. As home to 44 percent of our country’s threatened and endangered plant species, in Hawaii, we understand the importance of protecting and preserving our native biodiversity. I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan resolution to recognize April as National Native Plant Month and encourage all Americans to protect and incorporate native plants in their own communities.

The resolution is supported by various groups, including several Native Plant Societies, Parks Districts, garden clubs, and conservation organizations like the Audubon Society. During April, people can celebrate by planting native plants in their yards and public spaces, planning educational events, and organizing volunteer efforts to remove non-native invasive plants from their natural areas so that native plants can thrive and support the wildlife around them. Since native plants have critical ecological roles forged by thousands of years of evolution, they are uniquely capable of supporting global biodiversity at a time when mass extinctions and climate change threaten our ecosystems and natural heritage.

Luckily, native plants are more available than ever to the home gardener. To help our customers, Christy Webber Farm & Garden has created an entirely new Native Plant department that carries a variety of local-ecotype, neonicotinoid-free Illinois native plants, many of which will be available for pickup through our new online store. This spring, we are also committed to removing certain non-native species with invasive potential from our shelves to give our local ecosystems the best possible chance at thriving.