HJR84ENROLLED Page 0 HJR84 11TMU3L-2 By Representative Faulkner RFD: Rules First Read: 20-Feb-25 1 2 3 4 5 HJR84 Enrolled Page 1 First Read: 20-Feb-25 Enrolled, An Act, RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS ALABAMA NATIVE PLANT MONTH. WHEREAS, native plants are indigenous species that have evolved alongside native wildlife and occur naturally in a particular geographic region, ecosystem, and habitat; Alabama, with its diverse ecosystems ranging from the coastal plains to the Appalachian Mountains, is home to many native plants; and WHEREAS, these native plants play a significant role in Alabama's ecosystems, providing food and shelter for local wildlife and contributing to soil health; they also offer excellent choices for gardening in the state; and WHEREAS, native plants are well-adapted to Alabama's soils, temperatures, precipitation, and environmental conditions, making them the best option for conserving and protecting our environment and adapting to its changes; and WHEREAS, Alabama's native plants provide food, including nectar, pollen, seeds, and foliage for native birds, caterpillars, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot; and WHEREAS, Alabama is home to more than 3,120 native plant species, including large shade trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, grasses, and wildflowers; in the coastal and southern regions, the Southern Magnolia and the Flowering Dogwood are common; in the central part of the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 HJR84 Enrolled Page 2 Flowering Dogwood are common; in the central part of the state, the Longleaf Pine, the American Beautyberry, and the native Azaleas are dominant; moving north, the Mountain Laurel and the Flame Azalea thrive; and in the wetland areas, the Bald Cypress and the carnivorous Pitcher Plant are abundant; and WHEREAS, some of Alabama's rarest plants are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and include the Green Pitcher Plant, Alabama Canebrake Pitcher Plant, Alabama Leather Flower, and Gentian Pinkroot; and WHEREAS, it is important to encourage public awareness about the benefits of Alabama's native plants to pollinators and other wildlife, the economy, and the health and sustainability of Alabama's fragile ecosystems; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the month of April is recognized as Alabama Native Plant Month, and we encourage all Alabamians to observe the month of April as both National Native Plant Month and Alabama Native Plant Month by removing non-native invasive plants from yards and communities; planting native trees, shrubs, and flowers; and educating our citizens about the many benefits of Alabama's native plants. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 HJR84 Enrolled Page 3 native plants. ________________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives ________________________________________________ President and Presiding Officer of the Senate House of Representatives I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and was passed by the House 27-Feb-25. John Treadwell Clerk Senate 18-Mar-25 Adopted 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85