Agenda 04-07-2026; 8-f - Native Plant Month Proclamation

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2 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCLAMATION NATIVE PLANT MONTH 2O26 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, with 969 of these species 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 2026 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 7th Day of April, 2026. Jean Hamilton, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Laura Jensen Clerk to the Board of Commissioners