HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2023-004-Native Plant Month Proclamation Ppo I
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NATIVE PLANT MONTH
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS , native plants are indigenous species that have evolved and occur naturally
in a particular region , ecosystem , and habitat ; and
WHEREAS , native plants are vital for maintaining and restoring the healthy ecosystem
needed to sustain our environment , including but not limited to seed dispersal ; pollination
of crops and natural vegetation ; prevention of flooding , drought , and erosion ; regulation
of disease - carrying organisms ; and moderation of weather extremes ; and
WHEREAS , native plants provide shelter as well as nectar , pollen , and seeds that serve
as food for native butterflies , insects , birds , amphibians and other wildlife in ways that
non - native plants cannot ; and
WHEREAS , there are more than 17 , 000 native plant species in the United States , which
include trees , shrubs , vines , grasses , and wildflowers ; and
WHEREAS , North Carolina is home to more than 3 , 900 native plant species , including
trees , shrubs , vines , grasses , and wildflowers , making it one of the most diverse states
for native plants in the Southeast ;
WHEREAS , 969 of the native plant species in North Carolina have been designated as
significantly rare and /or in decline and may be in danger of extinction ; and
WHEREAS , 94 of those 969 imperiled plants have been found in Orange County ; and
WHEREAS , habitat loss and degradation , extreme weather events , and invasive species
have contributed to the decline of native plants in the United States ; and
WHEREAS , native plants are essential components of resilient ecosystems and our
natural heritage ;
NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners hereby designates April 2023 as " Native Plant Month " in Orange County ,
and recognizes the benefits of native plants to the environment and economy of Orange
County , the state of North Carolina , and the United States .
THIS THE 4T" DAY OF APRIL , 2023 .
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J eze Bedford , Vair
F Orange County Board of Commissioners
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