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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 7, 2026 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-f <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 2026 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 United States Congress initially designated April as "National Native Plant <br /> Month" and has continued making this designation thru 2025. Historically in North Carolina, the <br /> Governor in 2017 originally proclaimed the first week of April as "Native Plant Week". <br /> Subsequently, in 2023 the North Carolina General Assembly approved the Native Plants Act <br /> (North Carolina General Statute 14313-135.59) prioritizing native plant use in state parks and along <br /> highways. Most recently, in 2024 the Governor proclaimed, "April as NC Native Plant Month". <br /> In alignment with national and state initiatives, the BOCC has approved a local proclamation in <br /> prior 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 behalf of the Board. <br />