About Us

I love nature, I love the landscape, because it is so sincere. It never cheats me. It never jests. It is cheerfully, musically earnest.

— Henry David Thoreau —

History

In 2018, Nancy Linz began to work with the former First Lady of Ohio, Hope Taft, and Nathan Johnson of the Ohio Environmental Council, to pass legislation designating the month of April as Ohio Native Plant Month. After the bill was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on July 18, 2019, Nancy established Ohio Native Plant Month as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. April 2020 was the first Ohio Native Plant Month!

In 2022 Nancy began an initiative asking the Governors from all 50 states to sign proclamations making the month of April Native Plant Month in every state. All but two governors signed proclamations in 2023. She has since been focused on National Native Plant Month to continue to spread the word about native plants.

The new ONPM president is Jane Ellison, a career environmentalist and Master Gardener with a passion for nature and native plants. Under Jane’s leadership, Ohio Native Plant Month has transitioned to Ohio Native Plants to continue to celebrate Ohio’s native plant heritage not only in the month of April, but throughout the year. This new OPN website will serve as a resource and an inspiration for home gardeners across Ohio.

Ohio House Bill 59

Seated: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine; Standing from left to right: Ben James, Legislative Aide for Representative Scott Wiggam; Representative Scott Wiggam, Lead Sponsor of the Legislation; Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted; Senator Bob Hackett; Former First Lady of Ohio, Hope Taft; and Horticulture Conservationist, Nancy Linz. Photograph provided courtesy of the office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

On July 18, 2019, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 59 of the 133 General Assembly into law designating the month of April as Ohio Native Plant Month. This legislation makes Ohio the first state in the country to have an entire month dedicated to our native plants! The bill enacts section 5.2514 of the Ohio Revised Code.Ohio Representative Scott Wiggam (District 1) was the Lead Sponsor of HB 59.

Ohio House Bill 59 States:
“The month of April is designated as ‘Ohio Native Plant Month’ to increase public awareness of Ohio’s native plants and the many benefits they provide to pollinators, Ohio’s economy, and the health of Ohio’s environment.”

Our Mission

To inspire Ohioans to learn about, appreciate, protect, and plant native species for healthier backyard habitats; and to respect and protect them in nature, preserving Ohio’s natural heritage and biodiversity.

Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba)

Our Vision

  • Connect people and organizations across Ohio to promote and appreciate native plants.
  • Share knowledge and resources that inspire Ohioans to learn, plant, and take action.
  • Encourage local nurseries to grow native species so home gardeners can easily find and buy Ohio-grown natives.
  • Promote replacing invasive plants with resilient, ecologically beneficial native species.
  • Support conservation efforts that protect Ohio’s biodiversity and natural heritage.
  • Cultivate community pride and stewardship of the native landscapes that make Ohio unique.

A note about photographs

The majority of photographs were taken by Wendy Donkin and Nancy Linz. Some photographs have been donated by website visitors. Photographs are available for download for educational purposes without requesting permission. If you would like to donate images of Ohio native plants, please click here.