HOUSE RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MAY OF 2026 AS “RHODE ISLAND NATIVE PLANT MONTH”, the official text

H8550 2026 -- H 8550 ======== LC003551 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N DESIGNATING MAY OF 2026 AS “RHODE ISLAND NATIVE PLANT MONTH” Introduced By: Representatives McGaw, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale, Boylan, Potter, DeSimone, Tanzi, Ajello, and Fogarty Date Introduced: May 14, 2026 Referred To: House read and passed 1 WHEREAS, Native plants support local ecosystems, providing habitat and food for 2 wildlife, help maintain soil and water quality and are crucial for a balanced and sustainable 3 environment; and 4 WHEREAS, Rhode Island is home to more than 1300 native plant species, which include 5 trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and wildflowers; and 6 WHEREAS, Rhode Island s native plant species provide food, such as nectar, pollen, 7 seeds, and foliage, and prime habitat, including essential shelter and nesting sites, for various 8 types of wildlife in the State in ways that non-native plants cannot, making the expanded 9 cultivation of native plants in Rhode Island a viable and effective means by which the State can 10 both preserve its existing wildlife habitats and populations and effectively offset and mitigate any 11 prior losses in wildlife habitat or populations that have occurred in the State as a result of 12 development; and 13 WHEREAS, Native plants are well-adapted to Rhode Island s soils, wetlands, 14 temperatures, precipitation, and environmental conditions; and, consequently, are the best at 15 conserving and protecting our environment against flooding and erosion while maintaining and 16 restoring the State s air, water, and soil quality; and 17 WHEREAS, Native plants are vital to Rhode Island s biodiversity and enable the State s 18 wildlife to prosper; and 19 WHEREAS, Native plants incorporated into the landscaping in our yards and 20 communities help increase the amount of habitat available to our native wildlife and are necessary 1 for biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem, and require far fewer fertilizers, soil amendments, or 2 pesticides, and use less water than conventional landscapes; and 3 WHEREAS, On May 3, 2023, the 118th Congress passed Senate Resolution 152, 4 declaring May as National Native Plant Month”; and 5 WHEREAS, According to U.S. Senate Resolution 152, native plants are indigenous 6 species that have evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat” and 7 “are essential components of resilient ecosystems and the natural heritage of the United States ; 8 and 9 WHEREAS, According to Rhode Island s Native Plant Society, native plants preserve our 10 rich biological heritage; and provide shelter, as well as nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food 11 for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot 12 provide; provide diversity in form, texture, and color to fit any landscape style and are hardy and 13 easy to grow once established; and 14 WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the value of Rhode Island s native plants and 15 encourage public awareness of the many benefits they provide to Rhode Island s economy, to 16 pollinators, and the health of Rhode Island s environment; now, therefore be it 17 RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 18 designates May of 2026 as Rhode Island Native Plant Month in order to preserve the heritage 19 and the importance of native plants for clean air, water, and soil stability in the State of Rhode 20 Island; and be it further 21 RESOLVED, That this House hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Department 22 of Environmental Management (DEM) to urge all citizens to educate themselves about the 23 importance and history of Rhode Island s native plants and the many benefits they provide to 24 pollinators, and to preserve Rhode Island s biological heritage in aiding in the prevention of 25 flooding and erosion and maintaining and preserving the health of Rhode Island s economy and 26 environment; and be it further 27 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 28 transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Terrence Gray, Director of the Rhode Island 29 Department of Environmental Management. ======== LC003551 ======== LC003551 - Page 2 of 2