Celebrate Alaska Native Plant Month Starting May 1

Today (May 1st, 2023), Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a proclamation encouraging Alaskans to recognize the importance of native plants to Alaska’s people, economy, and ecosystems by celebrating Alaska Native Plant Month in May 2023.

To our knowledge, this is the first executive proclamation in Alaska celebrating our 2,500-plus native plant species, from the berries that fill our freezers to the wildflowers that brighten our summer days.

An Alaska Native Plant Month event calendar, K-12 curriculum guide, self-guided hikes, and other information can be found here: bit.ly/AKnativeplantmonth.

Insect pollinators, birds and other wildlife have co-evolved with our native plants. We can help protect them by removing non-native invasive species, planting native shrubs, trees and flowers in our yards, and following ethical harvesting practices.

Alaska joins nearly 50 states that have established a native plant month. The effort to establish one in Alaska this year began when The Garden Club of America reached out to the Alaska Native Plant Society about its initiative to encourage a native plant month in all 50 states.

Questions and requests for interviews with subject matter experts can be directed to [email protected].