On July 1, Gov. Shapiro signed into law House Bill 797 (B.Miller-R-Lancaster) requiring the state Department of Transportation to plant native vegetation along state highways as Act 37.

"Through the years non-native plants have been introduced throughout the state with some of them becoming noxious and invasive resulting in substantial disruption to the state’s ecosystem," said Rep. B. Miller when he introduced the bill. 

"Plants that are native to Pennsylvania are naturally part of the state eco-system and their use throughout the Commonwealth helps to maintain the environmental balance that has been developed over many years. 

"These native plants, when planted along highways, will thrive because those plants are better adapted to local conditions. 

"Further, native vegetation is also more likely to support wildlife, while discouraging invasive plant species.

"This legislation will require PennDOT to develop a list of native vegetation species that can be used in roadside work that is done throughout the state.  The use of specific species in a given area will be based on the recommendations of the PA Department of Agriculture’s Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee," said Rep. Miller.

Click Here for a House Summary and Fiscal Note on the legislation.

This legislation was first introduced in 2018 by former Rep. John Quigley (R-Montgomery) as House Bill 2131.

Visit PennDOT’s Adopt and Beautify webpage for information on native plants, pollinator plantings along state highways and PennDOT’s Pollinator Habitat Plan.

(Photo: TribLive.com)

Resource Links:

-- Pollinator Gardens: Help Encourage Ecological Diversity In Your Own Backyard  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Watershed Friendly Certification Program Expands To Large And Small Properties, Apartments  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Master Gardeners Certification As Pollinator Friendly Garden

-- Penn State Extension Is Celebrating Pollinator Week June 17-21!   [PaEN]

-- Pollinator Vehicle License Plate Now Available From PennDOT To Support Pollinator Habitat Fund  [PaEN]

-- Agriculture Secretary, Sen. Comitta Visit Chester County’s Jenkins Arboretum, Highlighting Bill To Protect Pollinators, Boost Agriculture  [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Native Plants And Insects Getting Legislative Attention - By Nate Reagle, Certified Pollinator Steward  [PaEN]

-- Westmoreland Pollinator Partners, Penguin Court Invite Entries To 4th Annual Pennsylvania Pollinator Photo Challenge  [PaEN]

-- PA iMapInvasives 2024 Invasive Species Scavenger Hunt Set For August; July 30 Webinar Training Available  [PaEN]

-- Discover How To Identify, Track Invasive Species Using iMapInvasives In Aug. 9 Penn State Extension Webinar  [PaEN]

[Posted: July 3, 2024]

7/8/2024