House Concurrent Resolution 56

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING APRIL 19-25, 2021, AS "NATIVE PLANT APPRECIATION WEEK" IN MISSISSIPPI AND COMMENDING THE EFFORTS OF THE AUDUBON DELTA REGION OF THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE USE OF NATIVE PLANTS IN OUR STATE.

WHEREAS, native plants are an important part of the State of Mississippi's identity, natural heritage and history; and

WHEREAS, native plants provide important aesthetic, economic and ecological contributions that make Mississippi a special place to live; and

WHEREAS, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center (PRAC) in Moss Point and the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center (SPAC) in Holly Springs are part of the Audubon Delta Region with Louisiana and Arkansas, and Mississippi is two of 42 communities nationwide to be home to a National Audubon Society Education Center; and

WHEREAS, in the past 15 years, the Audubon Society has held successful native plant sales and has been awarded a large grant from Chemours for education in the use of native plants in the landscape, and PRAC and SPAC have introduced the use of native plants in the landscape to residents both in their respective communities, along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and bordering states; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to raise awareness, PRAC and SPAC have incorporated the native plants at city buildings, and placed signs at homes whose landscaping includes native plants; and

WHEREAS, native plants support many species of birds and many of those species of birds are found to be breeding within the State of Mississippi, and preserving native plant ecosystems is critical for the protection of birds, fish and other wildlife, as well as water quality in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center and Strawberry Plains Audubon Center of the National Audubon Society, as well as other local organizations and businesses, continuously work to expand the market for Mississippi's native plants; and

WHEREAS, by cultivating plants native to Mississippi's habitat, we honor our natural heritage, sustain the beauty and benefits of our environmental resources, and preserve a natural link to wildland areas, both past and present:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the week of April 19-25, 2021, as "Native Plant Appreciation Week" in Mississippi and urge all citizens to join in appreciating, enjoying and celebrating our floral diversity by taking advantage of the opportunities this week to learn more about our native plants, their habitats, and how to protect them, encouraging others to take a native plant walk, visit a natural area or become involved in a restoration project as we join together to celebrate this precious heritage.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, the Holly Springs Strawberry Plains Center, the Mississippi Museum of Natural History and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.