April 2023 is Wyoming Native Plant Month

Wyoming Native Plant Month is intended to raise awareness about the importance of native plants and the role they play in keeping Wyoming wild and beautiful.

Governor Mark Gordon signed a proclamation designating April 2023 as Wyoming Native Plant Month. The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council issued a statement celebrating this act, hoping it will increase awareness and encourage more Wyomingites to use more native plants.

The Governor’s Proclamation states that “native plants are essential for healthy, diverse, and sustainable ecosystems and are critical for cleaning air, filtering water, and stabilizing soils.”

The Proclamation goes on to state, “Wyoming is home to more than 2,500 native plant species which include large shade trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and wildflowers. Native plants provide essential food including nectar, pollen, seeds, and foliage for native birds, insects, and other wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot.”

The Wyoming Weed and Pest Council plays an important role in keeping Wyoming wild and beautiful by reducing noxious weeds and pests that can damage native plants and habitats. The goal is to preserve the state’s precious ecosystem for those who work the land and those who enjoy the land.

“Whether you’re a rancher or a recreationist, we all play a role in keeping our native plant life healthy and flourishing,” said Lindsey Woodward, Weed and Pest Program Coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. “We encourage everyone to be informed about native plant life and how to preserve it while working or enjoying the outdoors.”

The Proclamation continues, “It is important to encourage public awareness about the benefits of Wyoming’s native plants and pollinators and other wildlife to the economy, and the health and substantiality of Wyoming’s treasured ecosystems.”

For tips to stop the spread of invasive species or for information about Wyoming Weed and Pest Council, visit wyoweed.org and follow on Facebook and Twitter.