Establishes a New York native plants designation

New native plant labels for New Yorkers

Effective immediately, the law creates a New York native plants designation. The state agriculture department, working with the environmental conservation department, must set its standards and guidelines. It can offer seals or logos identifying qualifying plants as New York-grown and certified for quality. These can appear on product labels, ads, and displays. Eligible plants must be non-invasive woody or non-woody species native to New York. They must be likely to keep their range or adapt to expected climate changes in New York and the northeastern United States. The agriculture department must provide educational materials to growers, garden centers, consumers, schools, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and relevant agricultural and environmental groups.