Bateman Bill Establishing ‘Jersey Native Plants Program’ Signed by Governor

Governor Murphy today signed Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation launching the Jersey Native Plants Program to promote the sale of native vegetation at local garden centers.

“Shopping local is a great way to support the farms that make New Jersey the Garden State, but we also need to encourage people to plant local,” said Bateman (R-16). “Planting ‘Jersey native’ vegetation goes hand-in-hand with our successful ‘Jersey Fresh’ program. With this new program, we can strengthen local farms, promote healthy eating, and help the environment.”

The new law, S-83, creates the Jersey Native Plants Program in the Department of Agriculture. The program will promote the sale of plants that are native to the Garden State at local garden centers and nurseries.

Like the Jersey Fresh and Jersey Grown initiatives, this program will create a labeling system to identify native plants as “Jersey natives.”

New Jersey has approximately 2,100 native plant species, and 19 globally rare plants have their largest or most viable populations in the Garden State.

“Locally grown plants are already adapted to the unique climate and landscape of New Jersey,” Bateman said. “Native plants will flourish here and help our state’s natural ecosystem thrive. Let’s ensure New Jersey’s indigenous plants continue to grow strong for generations to come.”