S7359A

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday to add native plants to the state's Grown and Certified Program, a Department of Agriculture & Markets initiative. The bill (S7359A), sponsored by Sen. May, passed on a 60-0 roll call vote. Sen. May argued that native plants provide critical habitat for native wildlife while being uniquely adapted to New York's soils and climate conditions. She said the measure aims to encourage more nurseries to propagate native plants and convince gardeners and landscapers to use them, thereby increasing habitat for the state's native wildlife. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.