Native Plant Month Act
What It Is
In 2026, Wild Ones chapters across the state of Maryland are supporting HB 217/SB 229, a bill to permanently establish May as Native Plant month in Maryland. The Greater Frederick Maryland chapter is a part of this effort.
Establishing May as Native Plant Month will support educational programming, nursery sales, and events to be centered around a month when native plants are starting to bloom, pollinators multiply, and gardeners start digging.
This bill is an economic driver for Maryland businesses and an environmental win for our communities and fragile ecosystems. Encouraging homeowners and communities to plant native trees and plants turns a simple idea into big impact at zero cost to taxpayers.
Background
This bill will be introduced in the Government Operations and Ethics subcommittee, chaired by Delegate Ken Kerr of Frederick. Our Vice-President Carey Murphy met with Delegate Kerr in December, along with the bill’s advocates from the Garden Club of America and Sierra Club and Brandon Carbary of Ecoplantia based in Frederick. Delegate Kerr was supportive of our efforts. Once this bill passes out of the subcommittee, it will be put up to a full vote of the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee before it crosses over to the Senate.
Read the bill.
Proclamation bills are often difficult to pass; this is the second year that this bill has been introduced. Last year, it did not make it out of the subcommittee.
But, with your support, we are feeling good about our chances this year.
Actions You Can Take
- Determine who your representatives are in the House and Senate. Look up here.
- Familiarize yourself with the bill and some facts related to the impact native plants have in our state.
- Call or email Delegate Kerr’s office expressing your support for the bill, if you reside in his district.
- Call or email members of the House Government Operations and Ethics subcommittee if a representative is from your district.
- Submit testimony; this can be a multi-step process and testimony must be uploaded on a particular day. Let us know if you would like to pursue this option.
- Contact members of the House and Senate Committees that will vote on the bill after it passes out of the subcommittee.
- Call your state Delegate or Senator.
- Add your name to the Sign On Letter.
- Share this information with others, including on social media.
If you have any questions or need additional information, reach out to [email protected].
Meeting with Delegate Ken Kerr in December 2025. Mary Ellen Pease, Esther Bonny, Brandon Carbary, Delegate Kerr, Carey Murphy, Marie LaPorte