A new city policy in Greensboro, North Carolina, is set to prioritize native plants and remove invasive plants from city-owned properties. The policy, which aligns with the federal government's focus on safeguarding ecosystems and addressing climate concerns, aims to incorporate a minimum of 50% native seeds and plants sourced from North Carolina or the southeastern regions of the country by 2025. However, the policy does not extend to private property. Invasive plants have been known to disrupt native ecosystems and displace native plants and animals, contributing to the decline of 42% of all U.S. endangered and threatened species. To ensure compliance with the new policy, the city will avoid planting specific invasive species identified by the NC Native Plant Society and NC Invasive Plant Council, such as Silktree, Common Ivy, and Hydrilla. This initiative reflects the city's commitment to preserving biodiversity and combating the negative impacts of invasive species on local ecosystems. [b9e0334c]
In a related development, the state Department of Transportation in Pennsylvania has announced that it will discontinue the planting of non-native or 'invasive' species along the state's roadways. Invasive species can cause extinctions of native plants and animals, reduce biodiversity, compete with native organisms for limited resources, and alter habitats. The estimated economic impact of invasive species is $21 billion a year lost in the U.S. economy. The shifts in habitats and biodiversity caused by invasive species can contribute to erosion and increase flooding and landslide risks. The state Legislature has recently directed the Department of Transportation to use native species along the state's highways, recognizing the importance of combating invasive species and preserving native biodiversity. This change in policy reflects the acknowledgment that government policy should not contribute to the spread of invasive species and that practical solutions to environmental issues are more likely to come from private initiatives and enterprise. [a1c4349d]