by Jo Ann McCracken-Redding
It’s official: This April both chambers of the SC legislature voted to pass a resolution recognizing the essential value of native plants to our state’s environment, landscape, agriculture, history, and economy.
The resolution drafted and presented by SCNPS Upstate President Rick Huffman includes these compelling facts:
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Over 4,000 native plant species, subspecies, and varieties make up South Carolina’s rich and diverse plant life – 21 are considered threatened or endangered.
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Native plants provide high-quality food and shelter for more than 300 resident and migratory bird species in SC – 161 are in greatest need of conservation.
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SC currently contends with over 90 invasive and exotic plants. Many compete with native plant species.
The resolution encourages state agencies, local governments, and private landowners to use native plants for landscaping, erosion control, and vegetation management, but there’s much more to come!
This lays the groundwork for laws our advocacy team and partners will work on drafting and driving through to passage – laws that mandate the planting and protection of SC’s native plants. Stay tuned for updates and be ready to support our advocacy initiatives!
Read the resolution → a strong case for Why Native Plants!
Photo credit: A rare and endangered species, the bunched arrowhead (Sagittaria fasciculata), Gary Peeples, US Fish and Wildlife Service
