PRO-2025-009-Native Plant Month Proclamation

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS NATIVE PLANT MONTH 2O25 A PROCLAMATION WHEREAS , numerous indigenous plants occur in Orange County and have evolved and adapted over many years in the County ' s ecosystems and habitats ; and WHEREAS , native plants are vital to maintain and restore a healthy ecosystem which sustains our environment , including but not limited to : seed dispersal , pollination of crops and natural vegetation , prevention of flooding , erosion and drought , regulation of disease-carrying organisms , and moderation of weather extremes ; and WHEREAS , native plants provide shelter, nectar, pollen and seeds to ensure that butterflies , insects , birds , amphibians and other wildlife thrive ; and WHEREAS , it is estimated that there are more than 17 , 000 native plant species in the United States ; and WHEREAS , North Carolina is home to more than 3 , 900 native plant species , including trees , shrubs , vines , grasses , and wildflowers , making it one of the most diverse states for native plants in the southeast ; 969 of these have been designated as significantly rare , in decline and /or may be in danger of extinction ; and 94 of the 969 imperiled plants have been found in Orange County ; and WHEREAS , invasive species negatively contribute to habitat degradation and loss , extreme weather events , and the decline of native plants in the United States ; and WHEREAS , native plants are essential components of resilient ecosystems and our natural heritage ; NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners hereby designates April 2025 as " Native Plant Month " in Orange County and recognizes the benefits of native plants to the environment and economy of Orange County , the State of North Carolina and the United States . THIS THE 1st DAY OF APRIL , 2025 . Jamd etta Efedford , ChAfTr J t m Orange County Board of Commissioners ,, .