PRESS RELEASE FROM ASSEMBLY MEMBER KELLES OFFICE / link to additional information
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December 22, 2025 Kassandra Robledo robledok@nyassembly.gov
Governor Hochul Signs the Native Plant Bill into Law
(Ithaca, NY) - On December 19th, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law the New York Native Plants Program Bill (A3030-A/S1690-A), legislation sponsored by Assemblymember Anna Kelles that strengthens New York’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainable land management. The bill establishes a statewide program to promote the use of native plants in landscaping, restoration, and public projects, recognizing their essential role in supporting ecosystems and agriculture.
New York’s native plants have evolved alongside the state’s pollinators, birds, and wildlife, forming interdependent relationships that sustain biodiversity. Species such as monarch butterflies rely exclusively on native milkweed plants to complete their life cycle, while countless birds depend on native insects, seeds, and fruit for survival.
A landmark study from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology combining long-term monitoring data reveals that North America (U.S. and Canada) has lost roughly 2.9 billion breeding adult birds since 1970, representing about one-quarter of the total bird population across hundreds of species. This loss spans every major habitat type including forests and grasslands. The declines aren’t just in rare species; even birds once considered abundant (like sparrows, blackbirds, and warblers) have declined dramatically. The 2025 U.S. State of the Birds Report, a broad assessment involving the Cornell Lab, shows continued declines across nearly all habitats and identifies 229 species that require urgent conservation action. More than one-third of U.S. bird species are considered of moderate or high conservation concern, including 112 species that have lost more than half their population over the last ~50 years. In New York, for example, the Bicknell’s thrush in the Catskills has declined steeply, with some analyses suggesting >60 % decline (2010–2022) with a complete loss from the state by 2050 if trends continue.
A comprehensive Empire State Native insect Pollinator Survey (2017–2020) found that at least 38% of native pollinator species in New York are at risk of extirpation, and under broader criteria, up to 60% may be at risk. This includes bees, flies, beetles, and moths important for pollination. Up to 24% of native bee species in NY may be at risk, with another ~11% at risk of complete loss from the state. Annual losses of managed honey bee colonies are high, often between ~32% and ~57% of hives per year. New York City alone has lost nearly 50 species of wild bees that were historically known there.
By prioritizing native plants, the State helps rebuild ecological systems and restore food sources for insect and plant pollinators, helping to reverse dangerous downward population trends.
“Native plants are the foundation of healthy ecosystems,” said Assemblymember Anna Kelles. “They support pollinators, protect water quality, strengthen soil health, and help our communities adapt to climate change. This legislation ensures New York is taking a proactive, science-based approach to protecting biodiversity, strengthening ecosystem resilience that communities, wildlife, and our economy all depend on.”
Alongside ecological benefits, native plants provide measurable environmental advantages. They require less water and fewer chemical inputs than non-native species, stabilize slopes and streambanks to prevent erosion, reduce nutrient runoff into waterways, enrich soil organic matter, and filter pollutants from air, soil, and water. Their use helps mitigate the spread of invasive species and supports pollinators that are critical to New York’s agricultural economy.
New York’s native plants face increasing threats from habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change. The Native Plants Program Bill responds to these challenges by ensuring the State actively promotes native vegetation in public projects and encourages broader adoption across public and private landscapes. This approach strengthens ecological health, enhances recreation value, and supports sustainable land use practice statewide.
Governor Hochul’s signing of the Native Plants Program Bill marks a step forward in New York’s environmental leadership. This law reflects a growing recognition that protecting native ecosystems is essential to addressing climate change and preserving the natural resources that our communities depend on.
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