SENATE MEMORIAL 9

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Dede Feldman

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES, MUNICIPALITIES, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, USING EXISTING RESOURCES, USE POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY PLANTS IN LANDSCAPING PROJECTS.

     WHEREAS, pollinator species are needed for the reproduction of seventy-five to ninety percent of the world's flowering plants and more than one hundred fifty human food crops, according to scientists; and

     WHEREAS, pollinators are essential for New Mexico's agricultural economy; and

     WHEREAS, nationwide, bees pollinate fifteen billion dollars ($15,000,000,000) worth of crops, according to the United States department of agriculture; and

     WHEREAS, bees are important pollinators of chile and other New Mexico products; and

     WHEREAS, grazing animals are dependent on insect-pollinated legumes, such as alfalfa and clover, for forage; and

     WHEREAS, pollinator species are essential to producing some of the crops that provide fiber and medicines; and

     WHEREAS, flying insects, including bees and many species of butterflies, moths, beetles and flies, are the most common pollinators; and

     WHEREAS, bats and many species of birds, including hummingbirds, are also important pollinators; and

     WHEREAS, populations of pollinators, including honeybees and western bumblebees, have been declining over the past decade; and

     WHEREAS, there is a widespread lack of understanding about the importance of pollination and pollinator species, and there is a great need to educate the public about the magnitude of the issue; and

     WHEREAS, native plants tend to provide superior habitats for native pollinators; and

     WHEREAS, the unique flora and fauna of New Mexico attract tourism and bring income to the state and could be affected by the loss of pollinators, which help create and preserve New Mexico's beauty; and

     WHEREAS, yucca moths are the only insects that pollinate New Mexico's state flower; and

     WHEREAS, pollinator habitats tend to be degraded or reduced by development, pesticide use and other human activities; and

     WHEREAS, the loss of pollinators could ultimately threaten global food webs, biodiversity and human life; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is rich in its variety of native cultures and pollinators, and pollinated plants are significant to native peoples for cultural symbolism, foods and plant products; traditional medicines; and plant-based dyes; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans should be encouraged to plant a diversity of native flowers and plants to maximize blooming throughout the growing season and to maximize support of pollinator diversity; and

     WHEREAS, everyone's future flies on the wings of pollinators; and

     WHEREAS, Mission Avenue elementary school wild friends challenge every school in New Mexico to build and design their own self-sustaining flower beds or cactus gardens or to plant native bushes on their campuses;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that state and county agencies, municipalities, public schools, colleges and universities be requested to use pollinator-friendly plants, including native eco-region specific plant mixtures, in landscaping projects to create pollinator habitats; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state and county agencies, municipalities, public schools, colleges and universities be requested to consider providing educational signs explaining what is being done on site to support pollinators; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to designate a New Mexico pollinator appreciation week with appropriate ceremonies and activities that include encouraging the public to take part in planting and preserving native plant species; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state and county agencies, municipalities, public schools, colleges and universities be requested to collaborate with scientists and organizations such as the North American pollinator protection campaign to study and plan pollinator conservation projects for New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the office of the governor, the commissioner of public lands, the New Mexico department of agriculture, the economic development department, the energy, minerals and natural resources department, the department of game and fish, the general services department, the higher education department, the public education department, the department of transportation, the New Mexico association of counties and the New Mexico municipal league.

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