I apologize. The attachments were not sent with the original message.
Emily
2nd Request for Endorsement: Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration and Promotion Act -
A bill to improve Federal plant science and conservation programs
Dear Native Plant Society Leader:
In December we sent you a request for endorsement for the attached plant conservation bill. It was developed by plant conservation organizations including Botanic Gardens, the Plant Conservation Alliance and the Native Plant Conservation Campaign. This is the first bill in U.S. history specifically focusing on improving U.S. plant science and conservation programs, and increasing the availability and use of locally adapted native plants in land management.
A summary of the bill and a copy of the bill text are attached.
We need to know how many groups are likely to endorse the bill.
Please let me know - if possible - BY WEDNESDAY FEB 24 if your organization is
(i) considering endorsing the bill or
(ii) has already done so.
Thank you!
Groups who have endorsed the draft bill include the California Native Plant Society, American Public Gardens Association, Institute for Applied Ecology, Florida Native Plant Society, Washington Native Plant Society, New England Wildflower Society, and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
And it is under consideration by the Garden Club of America and Botanical Society of America, among others.
BACKGROUND:
Conservation of plant species and communities is essential to a secure and sustainable future for the planet and for human societies and economies. There is a fundamental need for trained specialists to conserve and manage plant species and communities in order to make that future possible. Unfortunately, U.S. Federal plant science and conservation programs are woefully underfunded and understaffed (
For details and data, see the Botany Staffing and Funding page on the NPCC website). In addition, laws and policies to conserve plants are often inadequate or unenforced.
A group of native plant science and conservation organizations has been working for several months to develop proposed Federal legislation to address these problems. We have developed draft legislation to:
- increase training, hiring and placement of plant scientists in Federal agencies,
- promote a preference for the use of locally appropriate native plant materials in Federal land management and other activities,
- increase demand for – and therefore supply of - locally appropriate native plant materials, and
- create new Federal programs to conserve rare plants and prevent their listing and extinction.
We are working to gather support for this proposal. We are also beginning outreach to Congress to identify elected officials who might serve as champions (sponsors) of such a bill.
Please find attached the bill draft as well as a short summary of its contents. Please review these and contact
me or Andrea Kramer (
akramer@chicagobotanic.org) at the Chicago Botanic Garden with questions or concerns.
NOTE: some details in the bill may change as we move forward, in which case all endorsing organizations will be contacted to ensure their continued support of the changes.
Please consider whether this legislation is something you/your organization can endorse.
Thank you!
Please let us know if you have any questions,
Emily Roberson
