Native plants are important to Louisiana and this nation; a valuable natural resource that needs help. The Louisiana Native Plant Initiative is helping to restore this natural resource that through the years has almost been depleted. Native plants have many uses including many wildlife and insect benefits as well as providing uses for hay production and grazing. Many native plants add color and beauty to the landscape. Working groups within the Louisiana Native Plant Initiative will identify resource areas, develop species list for seed collections, establish seed increase sites, develop relationships to promote commercial production, and develop partnerships to establish future funding needs.

    The Louisiana Native Plant Initiative will help conserve a vanishing natural resource providing an essential step in the development of a native plant industry whereby commercial growers can supply Louisiana adapted plant material for restoration, revegetation, roadside plantings, and the ornamental plant industry. Memorandums of Understanding have been signed to establish partnerships among the Coastal Plain Conservancy, McNeese State University, USGS National Wetlands Research Center, Nicholls State University, Barataria Terrebonne National Estuary Program, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Seed collections have been initiated and seed increase fields are being developed.