Sen. Mazie K. Hirono introduced on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, the Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration and Promotion Act. The bill encourages federal land management agencies to hire botanists, conduct research on native plant materials, and incorporate native plants in projects on federal land when feasible.

“Native plants play a crucial role in conserving and protecting our land, and are an important part of our culture,” Sen. Hirono said. “They recharge our watersheds and are less prone to fire than nonnative species. This bill provides resources to ensure that our land managers have the necessary tools and expertise to protect our native plants, many of which are endangered and are found nowhere else in the world.”

“After contributing to the creation of this bill since 2015, seeing a version introduced in the House of Representatives, and visiting my legislators’ offices over the past few years, I am so grateful that Sen. Hirono took up this cause and showed leadership in introducing this Senate bill, which will be of great benefit to Hawai‘i and the entire nation,” Dr. Marian Chau, Seed Conservation and Laboratory Manager, Lyon Aboretum, Hawaiian Rare Plant Program said.

“With less than 1% of the land mass of the United States, Hawai‘i contains over half of the endangered plant species listed under the U. S. Endangered Species Act,” said Dustin Wolkis, Seed Bank and Laboratory Manager, Department of Science and Conservation, National Tropical Botanical Garden. “Thus with the introduction of this bill, Hawai‘i stands to benefit greatly in both our economy and the preservation of our unique and imperiled flora.”

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“By promoting the hiring of botanists and creating a preference for native plants, the bill will advance scientific expertise and help conserve water, save money, reduce the need for pesticides and foster healthy, vibrant ecosystems, ” Anne Neal Petri, President of The Garden Club of America, said.

The bill was cosponsored by Sens. Van Hollen (D-MD), Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Duckworth (D-IL).

The legislation would promote native plant research and use by: