WHEREAS, native plants are indigenous species that have evolved alongside native wildlife and occur naturally in particular geographic regions and ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, native plants are essential for healthy, functioning, biodiverse, and resilient ecosystems, as they often require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides; help prevent erosion and improve water quality; and are critical for cleaning air, filtering water, and stabilizing soils; and

WHEREAS, native plants are well-adapted to Virginia’s geology, soils, temperatures, precipitation, and environmental conditions, making them the best option for conserving and protecting our natural resources; and

WHEREAS, native plants provide food and habitat, including nectar, pollen, seeds, and foliage for native birds, native insects, and other native wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s diverse ecosystems, from sea level to high elevations, are home to more than 3,300 native plant species; and

WHEREAS, 761 of Virginia’s native plant species are classified as rare by the Virginia Natural Heritage Program, and 35 of these species are listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 or the Virginia Endangered Plant and Insect Act of 1979; and

WHEREAS, it is important to encourage public awareness about the benefits of Virginia’s native plants to pollinators and other wildlife, to the economy, and to the health and resilience of Virginia’s ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, residents are encouraged to observe National Native Plant Month and Virginia Native Plant Month, to recognize the importance of native plants to Virginia’s rich Natural Heritage, to appreciate native plants as the best source of food for pollinators and native wildlife, to learn about and enjoy the many benefits of native plants, and to plant native plants;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize April 2025, as NATIVE PLANT MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.