Senate Resolution No. 703

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 2023, as Native Plant Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to set aside
official months to recognize and pay tribute to those who seek to
preserve and celebrate native plants in the State of New York, as well
as their importance to the environment and for building sustainable
ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2023, as Native
Plant Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with National
Native Plant Month; and

WHEREAS, Native plants are indigenous species that have evolved
alongside native wildlife and occur naturally in a particular geographic
region, ecosystem, and habitat; and

WHEREAS, Essential for healthy, diverse, and sustainable ecosystems,
native plants are critical for cleaning air, filtering water, and
stabilizing soils for the betterment of our environment; and

WHEREAS, Plants that are native to our State are well-adapted to New
York's soils, temperatures, precipitation, and environmental conditions,
making them the best option for conserving and protecting our
environment, and adapting to its changes; and

WHEREAS, Native plants provide food including nectar, pollen, seeds,
and foliage for native birds, caterpillars, butterflies, bees, and other
wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot; and

WHEREAS, New York State is home to approximately 2,000 native plant
species, which include large shade trees, shrubs, perennials, vines,
grasses, and wildflowers; and

WHEREAS, Unique to New York State, the plants thriving in our great
State have evolved over thousands of years alongside native wildlife and
have developed symbiotic relationships which can not be replaced with
non-native plants that have been transported here from distant parts of
the world; native insects, caterpillars, and other wildlife have not had
time to evolve to be able to eat these strange and exotic foods; and

WHEREAS, Some of New York's rarest plants are federally listed under
the Endangered Species Act of 1973; according to the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation, there are approximately 340
plants in New York State listed as endangered by the United States
Department of Interior; and

WHEREAS, There is a strong and growing movement to protect native
plants and to educate the public about their benefits to pollinators and

other wildlife, to our economy, and to the health and sustainability of
New York's fragile ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, The observation of the month of April as Native Plant Month
encourages New York's citizens to participate by removing non-native
invasive plants in our yards and communities, planting native trees,
shrubs, and flowers, hosting native plant hikes, creating pollinator
gardens, and educating our citizens about the many benefits of native
plants; and

WHEREAS, Native Plant Month in New York State is meant to call for
awareness of and recognition of the importance of native plants to New
York's rich biological heritage, and as a source of food for pollinators
and native wildlife, and for those who work tirelessly on behalf of
researching and protecting our natural surroundings for the benefit of
present and future generations of New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2023, as Native
Plant Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with National
Native Plant Month; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and The Garden Club of America.