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