Almost 3 billion birds vanished in North America over the past 50 years due to loss of habitat and pesticide use. Birds require a minimum of 70% native plant species to preserve healthy populations. There are many benefits to maintaining a healthy bird population, as they control for natural pests, which aid local farmers in cultivating their crops, serve as pollinators, and attract eco-tourists to our region.
This resolution makes it the policy of Suffolk County that at least two-thirds of vegetation planted by the County be species that are native to the region. The Department of Public Works, and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation will develop plans to ensure that at least two-thirds native plants are planted.
“We were able to work with the Department of Public Works and Suffolk County Parks to fortify the preservation of endangered bird species as well as the common song bird. The impetus here was to encourage two-thirds native planting to help protect our native birds and insects, and the environment more broadly by reducing pesticide use,” Fleming said.
