April is Native Plant Month

GCA Invites You to Explore the Power of Native Species to Heal Landscapes and Nurture Wildlife

April 01, 2026

By: Lyn McMillin

The GCA is playing a pivotal role in the flourishing native plant movement across the United States. Now in the fourth year of the Native Plant Month Initiative (NPMI), GCA club members are working with state legislators and governors’ offices to help secure proclamations and permanent legislation to celebrate native plants. In 2025, 44 states and the District of Columbia established a native plant month, with 11 of those states passing laws or establishing permanent recognition.  For 2026, the GCA is continuing to work towards native plant designations in all 50 states.

Native Plant Month designations, along with official recognition by state leaders, raise public awareness by providing a window of time to highlight the benefits and importance of native plants.  Native plants are the foundation of healthy ecosystems because they support the insects, birds, and other wildlife that form local food webs. Adapted to regional climates and soils, they also help conserve water, improve soil and water quality, and create resilient, sustainable landscapes.

The GCA’s initiative provides inspiration for transforming awareness into action. The NPMI Publicity Toolkit was developed to maximize Native Plant Month’s impact through press releases, education, community outreach, and club events. Nationwide, native plants are celebrated through habitat restoration projects, workshops, plant sales, and volunteer events. Momentum is growing as more people understand the importance of native plants and realize that we can make a difference by incorporating more native plants into our own gardens, our parks, our businesses, and our communities.

For more information, contact nativeplantmonth@gcamerica.org