HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-01-2025; 8-h - Native Plant Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 1, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-h
SUBJECT: Native Plant Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension Service
(CES); Environment,
Agriculture Parks & Recreation
(DEAPR)
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Mart Bumgarner, 919-245-2062
Christian Hirni, 919-245-2514
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating April 2025 as "Native Plant Month" in Orange
County.
BACKGROUND: Native plants are widely recognized to be a key component in healthy regional
ecosystems. Increasingly, the pervasiveness of non-native invasive plants has become a national
concern. Non-native plant species tend to force out critically important native flora and fauna.
Establishing and rebuilding native plant populations is critically important to pollinators, birds and
small mammals, as well as land and soil conservation and wildfire prevention.
Nationally, in 2021 the US Congress initially designated April as "National Native Plant Month"
and has continued making this designation thru 2024. Historically in NC, in 2017 the Governor
originally proclaimed the first week of April as "Native Plant Week". Subsequently, in 2023 the NC
General Assembly adopted the Native Plants Act (North Carolina General Statute 14313-135.59)
prioritizing native plant use in state parks and along highways. Most recently, in 2024 the Governor
proclaimed, "April as NC Native Plant Month".
In alignment with national and state initiatives, the BOCC has in prior years approved a local
proclamation designating April as "Native Plant Month" in Orange County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION
OBJECTIVE 3. Improve educational opportunities for County staff and community
members on climate action and available resources to advance climate action projects.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign on the Board's behalf.
2
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
NATIVE PLANT MONTH 2O25
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, numerous indigenous plants occur in Orange County and have evolved and adapted
over many years in the County's ecosystems and habitats; and
WHEREAS, native plants are vital to maintain and restore a healthy ecosystem which sustains
our environment, including but not limited to: seed dispersal, pollination of crops and natural
vegetation, prevention of flooding, erosion and drought, regulation of disease-carrying organisms,
and moderation of weather extremes; and
WHEREAS, native plants provide shelter, nectar, pollen and seeds to ensure that butterflies,
insects, birds, amphibians and other wildlife thrive; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that there are more than 17,000 native plant species in the United
States; 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; 969 of these have been designated as significantly rare, in decline and/or may
be in danger of extinction; and 94 of the 969 imperiled plants have been found in Orange County;
and
WHEREAS, invasive species negatively contribute to habitat degradation and loss, extreme
weather events, and 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 2025 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 1st DAY OF APRIL, 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners