Botany Bill Fosters Power of Science

Help protect native redwood forest plants such as this slink pod. Photo by Paolo Vescia
Help protect native redwood forest plants such as this slink pod. Photo by Paolo Vescia

From funding redwoods research, to investigating the impacts of climate change on redwood forests, to implementing science-based restoration projects, Save the Redwoods League understands the powerful role science has in preserving our natural resources.

This is why the League is excited to support the Botany Bill (H.R. 1572). This new, bipartisan legislation was recently reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives​ by ​Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and co-sponsor Rep. Francis Rooney (R-FL).

The measure promotes botanical research, improves staffing of trained botanists on federal lands, grows the market for native plant materials, and supports federal programs to protect rare, endangered, and native plants such as those species found in our redwood forests.

Rep. Quigley stressed,

 “Botanical science research is an essential element in our fight against climate change, which makes this legislation so important. Botanical knowledge will also help us protect endangered species, reduce food insecurity, and understand how we can best preserve our environment for future generations.”

What is the Botany Bill?

The Botany Bill will accomplish a number of actions in policy development, land management practices, and research, including these:

  • A new program of botanical science research will be created in the Department of the Interior (DOI).
  • New professional opportunities and incentives will be developed to support botanical sciences experts, including adding new federal botanical positions and creating a program of educational loan forgiveness for botanical science personnel.
  • Comprehensive policies for the use of native plants in land management activities will be developed.
  • The measure will promote restoration-related research and provide funding to help prevent the extinction of rare plants and save endangered plants.

Botanists provide critical expertise that is especially needed now to promote land management practices that are responsive to climate change and land restoration best practices following fires. “The work of environmental scientists is becoming increasingly important for the health of our planet and the people, animals, and plants that call it home,” said Rep. Quigley.

Take Action:

Contact Your Members of Congress

Is your representative one of the 44 representatives co-sponsoring the Botany Bill? If not, please encourage your lawmakers to co-sponsor this important bill. Highlight the relevance of the Botany Bill to your work, the significance of making investments in research and restoration by federal agencies, and any personal anecdotes that connect you to the Botany Bill.

Track the Botany Bill and learn more.

Talking Points

  1. Native plants are the foundation of ecosystems and provide critical benefits, including food security, climate resilience, carbon sequestration, groundwater recharge, soil health, and wildlife habitat.
  2. The Botany Bill emphasizes the importance of plants in the context of climate change and recognizes their contributions to biodiversity and healthy natural and working lands. The bill encourages a much-needed commitment to the incorporation of plants into decision-making at the federal level. Please contact Rep. Quigley or Rep. Rooney to become a cosponsor of H.R. 1572.
Avatar for Shelana deSilva

About the author

Shelana recently joined Save the Redwoods League as the Director of Government Affairs and Public Funding. She has a strong track record helping national and statewide nonprofits develop partnerships, lead campaigns and initiatives, and secure public funding to achieve their missions.


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20 Responses to “Botany Bill Fosters Power of Science”

  1. Mary Hallinan

    Native plants and the ecosystems they support are at risk due to invasive species, development, climate change, etc. The key to their protection is legislation tied to grassroots action. Let’s take this first step together. Please sign this bill for the sake of our natural heritage.

    Reply
  2. Gloria Stofan

    Support the Botany Bill!
    We can learn so much from our plants. This is not only for us, but for our future generation.

    Reply
  3. Jerre Allen

    The Environmentalists are correct, biodiversity is the key, to both saving our environment & pushing back against the Fossil Fuel Monopoly & their allies. who’ve spent decades fouling our air, water & land, for profit!
    They’ve doubled down, through Lobbying efforts & shady deals & then pouring vast numbers of $$$$$ into ad campaigns & supporting bills they may have even written themselves, for their lapdog politicians.

    They’ve somehow managed taking control over our government & our economy. In increasingly subtle & devious ways, their influence is the only thing “trickling down,” through what is left of the democracy we once cherished & used as a bludgeon in continents near & far, to entrench our corporations & project “Our Way of Life” upon diverse citizens of foreign sovereign nations. Every aspect of our consumerist culture, comes into focus, when it seems “We the People” are being denied our inalienable rights!

    Native plant restoration projects have been proven to be “game-changers,” right here in the Presidio of SF, CA. A walk through Lobos Creek would convince any skeptic.

    Plant research must keep step with all the challenges that certain industries keep throwing @ us. My own daughter is working on such research projects now, @ Amherst College in Western MA!
    Yeah Kelly!

    Reply
  4. Carrie Durkee

    Thanks to all who care and act.
    Save the Redwoods League has done so much over the years.

    Reply
  5. Billy Angus

    Native plants are the foundation of ecosystems and provide critical benefits, including food security, climate resilience, carbon sequestration, groundwater recharge, soil health, and wildlife habitat.
    The Botany Bill emphasizes the importance of plants in the context of climate change and recognizes their contributions to biodiversity and healthy natural and working lands. The bill encourages a much-needed commitment to the incorporation of plants into decision-making at the federal level.

    Reply
  6. Marie Harrison

    The new Botany Bill (H.R. 1572), which promotes plant research, improves staffing of trained botanists on federal lands, grows the market for native plant materials, and supports federal programs to protect rare, endangered, and native plants such as those species found in our redwood forests. Botanical science research is an essential element in our fight against climate change.

    Reply
  7. Jeanne M. Duhem

    All the World needs protection & educational endeavors are important to that goal.

    Reply
  8. heidi ahlstrand

    protect our nature

    Reply
  9. Harriet

    Support the Botany Bill

    Reply
  10. Jean Bails

    We need this bill

    Reply
  11. Val laurent

    Yup

    Reply
  12. marie k sayles

    As an informed citizen and environmental educator, please support the Botany Bill to protect all species, human, plant and other animals. Our survival and the protection of the planet are dependent on strong laws that protect our future.

    Reply
  13. Debra Robinson

    I support the Botany Bill we need to save everything that was put here for our ECO system Animals Plants water air mountains forests Trees insects

    Reply
  14. Elli M. Kimbauer

    Thank you for your work! I strongly support the Botany Bill!

    Reply
  15. John Schmittauer

    We need to be good stewards of our Earth.

    Reply
  16. Darrell

    We need our old growth forest, that are all over the face of our planet… we need to put back what we have taken from our land. If you have ever been in a old growth forest, there are things to see that will bring you to amazement… you will leave with a peace of mind like you have never felt before. You will feel relaxed and tired but satisfied with your decision to go….

    Reply
  17. DEBORAH SMITH

    I SUPPORT THE Botany Bill (H.R. 1572), which promotes plant research, improves staffing of trained botanists on federal lands, grows the market for native plant materials, and supports federal programs to protect rare, endangered, and native plants such as those species found in our redwood forests. Botanical science research is an essential element in our fight against climate change.

    Reply
  18. Dennis

    Native plants are the foundation of ecosystems and provide critical benefits, including food security, climate resilience, carbon sequestration, groundwater recharge, soil health, and wildlife habitat.
    The Botany Bill emphasizes the importance of plants in the context of climate change and recognizes their contributions to biodiversity and healthy natural and working lands. The bill encourages a much-needed commitment to the incorporation of plants into decision-making at the federal level. Please contact Rep. Quigley or Rep. Rooney to become a cosponsor of H.R. 1572.

    Reply
  19. Paula Morgan

    The world needs plants. The Botany Bill is constructive and will help, greatly! We NEED all the help we can get. Humans have used up almost ALL resources and now climate change could wipe out society and life as we know it to be. Please vote to pass this Bill which is a step forward to assist the future. This is a much needed Bill whose passage time has come. Thank you.

    Reply
  20. Kenneth Robertson

    Please support the Botany Bill. This is important.

    Reply

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