Reston, Va. – A bipartisan resolution from U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) designating April 2022 as National Native Plant Month highlights the importance of native plants to environmental conservation, restoration, and biodiversity across the country.

“Native plants support the local ecology and provide vital nutrients for pollinators like monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and more. We fully support Senators Rob Portman and Mazie Hirono’s resolution to designate this April as National Native Plant Month and we encourage everyone at home to take action this April,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, senior director of Community Wildlife for the National Wildlife Federation. “It’s as easy as incorporating native plants into gardens and landscaping this spring, the smallest actions can make the biggest difference for our communities.”

“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution designating April 2022 as National Native Plant Month,” Portman said. “From stabilizing soil and filtering air and water to providing shelter and food for wildlife, native plants play an indispensable role in supporting resilient ecosystems as well as in our everyday lives. This bipartisan resolution highlights the importance of native plants and celebrates our rich ecological heritage here in Ohio and across the nation.”

During the month of April, people and organizations across the country can celebrate native plants in April by planting native trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and grasses, planning educational events with schools and community organizations, hosting hands-on workshops, removing non-native invasive plants so native plants can thrive and restoring areas with native habitats to allow birds, bees, butterflies and all wildlife to flourish.

Since 1973, the National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife program has educated and empowered millions of people to turn their own small pieces of Earth into thriving habitat with native plants for birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. National Wildlife Federation’s Native Plant Finder, created in partnership with Dr. Doug Tallamy, helps people find the native plants that support the highest number of butterflies and moths where they live.   Demand for these plants have increased annually, and NWF is working with networks of growers to supply the right plants for the right place to the public.

In doing so, people across North America have tangible resources to make a difference in their cities, towns and neighborhoods — all while deepening their connections to the natural world. 

Find available native plants and learn more about how to incorporate them into your gardening practice.