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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 1, 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-h <br /> SUBJECT: Native Plant Month Proclamation <br /> DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension Service <br /> (CES); Environment, <br /> Agriculture Parks & Recreation <br /> (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proclamation Mart Bumgarner, 919-245-2062 <br /> Christian Hirni, 919-245-2514 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating April 2025 as "Native Plant Month" in Orange <br /> County. <br /> BACKGROUND: Native plants are widely recognized to be a key component in healthy regional <br /> ecosystems. Increasingly, the pervasiveness of non-native invasive plants has become a national <br /> concern. Non-native plant species tend to force out critically important native flora and fauna. <br /> Establishing and rebuilding native plant populations is critically important to pollinators, birds and <br /> small mammals, as well as land and soil conservation and wildfire prevention. <br /> Nationally, in 2021 the US Congress initially designated April as "National Native Plant Month" <br /> and has continued making this designation thru 2024. Historically in NC, in 2017 the Governor <br /> originally proclaimed the first week of April as "Native Plant Week". Subsequently, in 2023 the NC <br /> General Assembly adopted the Native Plants Act (North Carolina General Statute 14313-135.59) <br /> prioritizing native plant use in state parks and along highways. Most recently, in 2024 the Governor <br /> proclaimed, "April as NC Native Plant Month". <br /> In alignment with national and state initiatives, the BOCC has in prior years approved a local <br /> proclamation designating April as "Native Plant Month" in Orange County. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. <br /> ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: <br /> • GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION <br /> OBJECTIVE 3. Improve educational opportunities for County staff and community <br /> members on climate action and available resources to advance climate action projects. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation <br /> and authorize the Chair to sign on the Board's behalf. <br />