COLUMBIA, S.C (April 24, 2018) –Today Governor Henry McMaster and First Lady Peggy McMaster welcomed Audubon South Carolina to the Governor’s Mansion to highlight the importance of native plants. Audubon South Carolina staff, partners and volunteers were there to dedicate a native plant garden they installed in honor of our state’s birds. The garden includes 500 indigenous South Carolina plants and 13 bird houses, three of which are replicas of the buildings that comprise the Governor's Mansion Complex.
"I’d like to thank Governor McMaster and the First Lady for helping us raise awareness about the importance of native plants, which are one of South Carolina's invaluable natural resources," said Audubon South Carolina executive director Sharon Richardson. "We are very grateful to the Mansion staff and our many partners and volunteers who helped make today's celebration a success.”
In addition to the garden dedication ceremony, Governor McMaster participated in a bill signing ceremony to celebrate the passage of H.4005, legislation enacted by the General Assembly in March that designates the third week in October each year as SC Native Plant Week.
“I’m grateful to members of the General Assembly for recognizing that when native plants thrive, the entire state thrives,” said Richardson. “I’d also like to give a special thanks Representative James Smith for authoring and championing H.4005.”
Audubon South Carolina spearheaded the mansion project to provide birds with rich habitat while demonstrating that native species can blend beautifully into even the most traditional landscapes and formal gardens.
When it comes to landscaping, native plants are better than non-native plants because:
- Native plants provide insects that birds rely on as a primary food source.
- Once established, native plants are extremely easy to maintain.
- Native plants are drought tolerant, adapted to our climate, and don't require the addition fertilizers or chemicals when placed in the right locations.
- Used at scale, low-maintenance native landscaping can help combat climate change by reducing resource use and pollution.
For state agencies, businesses, developers and residents interested in learning more about incorporating native plants into landscaping plans, resources include:
For more information about Audubon South Carolina’s Bird Friendly Communities initiatives, please reach out to program coordinator Jennifer Tyrrell: jtyrrell@audubon.org.
About Audubon South Carolina
Audubon South Carolina protects birds and the places they need, right here in South Carolina, using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. We’re the state office of the National Audubon Society, which has more than one million members and a century-long track record of success. In South Carolina, we represent nearly 20,00 Audubon members, nine Audubon chapters and bird club partners across the state, two Audubon centers and 22,000 acres of land that we own and manage. Learn more about what we do and how to help at sc.audubon.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @AudubonSc and Instagram at @audubon_sc.
###
Media Contact
Angelina Ricci Eisenhauer
202-257-4733
