HLS 23RS-1149 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 68
BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS
HORTICULTURE: Urges and requests Louisiana state agencies to prioritize native plant
species in landscaping state properties, except for invasive plant species listed on the
Louisiana Wildlife Action Plan
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request Louisiana state agencies to prioritize native plant species in the
3 landscaping of state properties, except for invasive plant species listed on the
4 Louisiana Wildlife Action Plan.
5 WHEREAS, according to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana has
6approximately two thousand five hundred native plants including trees, flowers, shrubs,
7perennials, vines, grasses, and wildflowers; and
8 WHEREAS, native plants are naturally adapted to this state's climate, soil types, and
9animals, which require low maintenance; and
10 WHEREAS, the low maintenance of these native plants reduces fuel, water, and
11fertilizer usage, resulting in higher qualities of local soil, water, and air; and
12 WHEREAS, the use of native plants in gardens, parks, and roadsides contributes to
13this state's wildlife and ecosystems by promoting the growth of native pollinator populations;
14and
15 WHEREAS, pollinators assist in plant reproduction and dispersal, maintaining and
16generating wildlife habitats; and
17 WHEREAS, approximately seventy-five percent of all plants require pollinators to
18reproduce; and
19 WHEREAS, approximately one-third of all human food requires pollinators for
20production; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-1149 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 68
1 WHEREAS, pollinators are at a significant decline due to the habitat loss; and
2 WHEREAS, the use of agricultural and residential pesticides has also contributed to
3the decline of pollinators by killing beneficial pollinators and reducing the amount of food
4available for insects; and
5 WHEREAS, invasive plants are not native to Louisiana and cause significant
6negative impacts to this state's native habitats and species; and
7 WHEREAS, according to the Louisiana Wildlife Action Plan, there are
8approximately fifty thousand invasive species in the United States that cause major
9environmental damage and losses of approximately one hundred thirty-seven million dollars
10annually; and
11 WHEREAS, Louisiana's humid subtropical climate puts the state at a high risk for
12the introduction of invasive species; and
13 WHEREAS, once the invasive plant species are established, food availability and
14habitat quality for native plants are decreased.
15 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
16Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request Louisiana state agencies to prioritize
17native plants in landscaping state properties.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no invasive plants listed on the Louisiana
19Wildlife Action Plan be planted on any state property.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
21commissioner of administration.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 68 Original 2023 Regular Session Thomas
Urges and requests La. state agencies to prioritize native plant species in landscaping state
properties, except for invasive plant species listed on the La. Wildlife Action Plan.
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