State Senator Rachel May is celebrating the governor signing her native seed bill into law.
“Thank you, Governor Hochul, for recognizing the value of native plants for the future of New York’s rural and urban landscapes. From the colorful purple asters and red maples of autumn to the native grasses and ferns that blanket fields and woodlands to the humble cattails along our streams, native plants are not just visual icons but critical to the health of whole ecosystems. The Native Seed Supply, Development, and Enhancement Program will support the propagation of seeds and seedlings that can be used to expand our urban forests, stabilize soils along our waterways, provide habitat for pollinators and other native species, and beautify areas throughout the state. It will also support an important and growing sector of our agricultural economy. I was proud to collaborate on developing this legislation with the Greenbelt Native Plant Center in NYC, Janice Wiles of Doce Lume Farm in Skaneateles, and native plant experts at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank and the Nature Conservancy. Their vision for flourishing landscapes across New York State is inspiring and will, I believe, benefit us all,” said Senator May.
The legislation is expected to boost the native seed supply across New York and spur native plant growth in the Empire State. A grant program will now be established to support government and private growers, such as nurseries and farms, to increase the state’s supply of native seed plants.
The legislation also mandates the state prioritize native plants whenever feasible in land management, reforestation, and related activities.
In a previous interview on FLX Morning with Ted Baker, Senator May said that her inspiration for the bill came from Skaneateles farmer Janice Wiles.
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