The Buzz - Native Plant Month

In this episode of Native Plants, Healthy Planet, hosts Fran Kismar and Tom Knezik celebrate National Native Plant Month, highlighting its recent recognition by the U.S. Senate through Resolution 665, which officially designates April 2026 as National Native Plant Month. The hosts emphasize the importance of supporting local native plant sales hosted by nonprofits like Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, and Hawk Mountain, encouraging listeners to attend these events to support conservation efforts and access locally adapted, ecologically beneficial plants. They also discuss two impactful articles: one from the University of Massachusetts Amherst revealing that plant nurseries are contributing to the climate-driven spread of 80% of invasive species, and another from the Colorado Sun showcasing how the Baseline development in Broomfield, Colorado, has become a certified pollinator district by integrating native, drought-tolerant landscaping into high-density housing. The episode concludes with listener shoutouts, personal stories—including a humorous dental appointment update—and a teaser for an upcoming double guest episode on a collaborative project. The tone remains upbeat, educational, and community-focused, reinforcing the podcast’s mission of connecting people with native plants and ecological stewardship.