Category: Advocacy

April 2025 is National Native Plant Month!!!

Celebrate Earth Day with us! Join us as Kirsten Hoffman and Judy Fulton share the details of recent legislation that promotes native plants by creating the Maryland Native Plants Program and legislation that strengthened Maryland’s invasive plant laws.  Both bills are currently being implemented, and they will provide updates on new resources that these laws […] Continue reading "April 2025 is National Native Plant Month!!!"

Maryland Governor Wes Moore signs 2024 Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act (HB979/SB917)

Happy Mother’s Day to Mother Nature (also known as Mother Earth or the Earth Mother)! I can think of no better gift than the signing of the 2024 Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act (HB979/SB917) by Governor Wes Moore on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Sponsored by Del. Linda Foley, Sen. Ben Brooks, and the Maryland Native […] Continue reading "Maryland Governor Wes Moore signs 2024 Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act (HB979/SB917)"

Ban the Sale of Invasive Plants in Maryland ~ Update

Thank you to everyone who called or wrote in to your representatives in support of the bill to ban the sale of invasive plants in Maryland! And thank you to the Maryland Native Plant Coalition for leading the effort! “We have passed through both chambers of the Maryland legislature! HB979 is going to the Governor’s […] Continue reading "Ban the Sale of Invasive Plants in Maryland ~ Update"

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Public Input on Proposed National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Maryland

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public review and comment on a draft proposal and environmental assessment establishing the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties. The proposal would conserve up to 40,000 acres in fee-title acquisitions or easements from willing sellers across […] Continue reading "U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Public Input on Proposed National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Maryland"

Ban the Sale Of Harmful Invasive Plants in Maryland!

Update regarding pending legislation HB979/SB915 “The Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act” (aka, the Maryland Invasive Plant Species bill), which will improve Maryland’s existing invasive plant legislation. Since the State passed its first invasive plant law in 2011, Maryland has prohibited the sale of just six Tier 1 plants, or 2% of our 300 recognized invasive plants.  […] Continue reading "Ban the Sale Of Harmful Invasive Plants in Maryland!"

Maryland HB0979 Hearing Feb 28, 2024

House Bill 0979 (HB0970) was heard by the Environment and Transportation Committee on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Support was overwhelmingly positive with only one witness in opposition. The next step is to make sure that the committee votes and records a favorable resolution. Hopefully that vote will take place before March 18th which is the […] Continue reading "Maryland HB0979 Hearing Feb 28, 2024"

Action Needed for Maryland HB0979

HB0979 Agriculture – Invasive Plant Species – Regulation (Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act) Sponsored by Delegate Foley Status In the House – Hearing 2/28 at 1:00 p.m. For a further understanding of the bill being heard tomorrow afternoon – click on this link: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0979 Then click on “Fiscal and Policy Note”. The FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE […] Continue reading "Action Needed for Maryland HB0979"

Support for Maryland State Bills

Legislative Session 2024 Two bills before the Maryland General Assembly during this Legislative Session need support from our Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay Members. The Biodiversity and Agriculture Protection Act (SB0915 and HB0979) seeks to: Alter the regulatory approach for controlling invasive plant species in the State, and require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a […] Continue reading "Support for Maryland State Bills"