Please I strongly suggest we pass these bills for the betterment of the state and the environment and all community members.

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

Strongly support!!

Please support this bill.

I support this very sensible bill.

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

Please see attached marked

support

We must protect Virginia waters and protect the community from harm we are danger

On behalf of the nearly 10,000 Soldiers and Airmen of the Virginia National Guard, I ask that you support of this bill. This year we are celebrating the one of the busiest years in recent memory. Over two thousand seven hundred Soldiers and Airmen deployed this past year. A total troop count surpassing the height of the Surge in Afghanistan in 2009. Your National Guard was deployed in the Balkans, the Horn of Africa, and throughout the Middle East. Our brave warriors don’t just represent a pair of “Boots on the Ground,” their absence from their families, their careers, and communities are felt by all Virginians. These are not just Soldiers and Airmen. They are our schoolteachers, lawyers, mechanics, truck drivers, police officers, civil servants, and students. They represent the very best of Virginia and have boldly answered our Nation’s call. Without the support of our General Assembly and public servants in the administration, and without the benefits richly deserved and generously afforded to them, we couldn’t do the things this world has demanded of them.

Please I strongly suggest we pass these bills for the betterment of the state and the environment and all community members.

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

On behalf of the 10,000 Soldiers, Airmen, and Families of the Virginia National Guard, I ask that you support this bill and report out of committee. Thank you!

GOOD Morning, Chair R. Lee Ware & members of the Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf my brothers & sisters in arms on HB1388. I had the pleasure of visiting the GA last week for several days as a member of the VDVS-JLC and visited Del. Ware’s office to highlight & support several Veterans legislative initiatives. I wanted to tell you that AA Marty Moore & Counsel David Bovenizer were quite courteous and attentive during my visit. I also want to thank my local legislator, Del. Bill Wiley, one of the many Patrons of this, for assisting to move this important initiative thru the GA. Our current members of the National Guard, those local Citizen-Soldiers, serve the Commonwealth and local communities without hesitation when called upon. It is time we provide them additional benefits to show our appreciation. This will help us retain current members and help to recruit new members of the Virginia National Guard. I ask you to move HB1388 out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee. Jay L. Marts VDVS-JLC (Alt) AMVETS, Dept. of Virginia (540) 550-3339 MartsJL@GMail.com

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

Declawing can be so painful for cats, and it should be illegal. Cats can see and make sense of the world with their claws. Their claws also help them to defend themselves.

Please support House Bill No. 1388! This bill establishes a Virginia National Guard Passport which removes entrance and parking fees to Virginia's State Parks for actively serving members of the Virginia Army and Air National Guard. The National Guard is unique in the it is the only United States military entity with a dual mission and can serve in state or federal status. National Guard servicemembers currently fulfil operational responsibilities as the primary combat reserve of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. However, because the National Guard is inherently a part-time force, policies should be enacted to ensure robust physical and mental readiness of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. Servicemembers are required to maintain physical readiness requirements outside of the normal scope of their civilian employment. Many of which require access to venues that allow for varied physical training and exercise. Servicemembers typically only spend time with their units during monthly or annual training events and are geographically dispersed throughout Virginia which limit their access to government furnished equipment and exercise venues. These conditions create a significant gap in the effectiveness of many individual physical training and resiliency programs. Additionally, research has shown that having access to parks, trails and natural areas reduce stress, anxiety and social isolation which tend to be unavoidable in military service. Overall, physical fitness and resiliency continues to be incredibly important across the military and providing access to state parks directly supports the Virginia National Guard’s readiness and deployability. Again, please support House Bill No. 1388.

I am writing in support of HB1388. I would also propose that this bill's language be clarified to cover members of the Virginia Defense Force (VDF) in addition to the Virginia National Guard. The VDF is one of Virginia's military components under the Dept. of Military Affairs. VDF members perform military duties and must maintain height / weight standards. Additionally, a large proportion of VDF members are former US military. Thus, VDF members would benefit both physically and mentally from the health benefits provided by free access to Virginia state parks. Finally, unlike the Virginia National Guard, the VDF is an all-volunteer organization and members are not normally given paid compensation, access to physical training facilities, or health insurance benefits. Free access to state parks would provide a valuable resource for VDF members to improve their physical and mental health. These comments are my views as a private citizen and not in any way on behalf of the VDF or in any official capacity. Thank you.

We must protect Virginia waters and protect the community from harm we are danger

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

We must protect Virginia waters and protect the community from harm we are danger

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

We must protect Virginia waters and protect the community from harm we are danger

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

As an Animal Enforcement Officer, I am an expert in this field. This is unnecessary. Rabies vaccinations for companion animals are already available at reduced or no charge by private charitable organizations and is not an expensive vaccine at full price. It's less than one bag of dog food. Cost is not the excuse I see for why people don't vaccinate their pets. We don't need to put this into legislation. I predict it would cause more harm than good. Free market is doing fine regulating this cost. Where help may be needed is to help the Health Department provide a low cost option for humans who need rabies inoculations after exposure. They can be very expensive without insurance.

HB2483 Please oppose this terrible bill designed by extremist animal rights to continue to remove animals from our lives incrementally. The guide tool, the ankus, does no harm to the animal, you cannot put a leash on an elephant, so the guide tool is used. This bill is a not so subtle push to eliminate all control of the animal, and have them sent to the disease ridden SCAMtuary in Tenn. Protect the human animal bond and OPPOSE.

HB1382: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support the prohibition of the declawing of cats. Declawing is cruel and only worsens problems with pet ownership. HB1406: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support the elimination of licensing fees for pet owners. Lower income citizens can be negatively affected by these fees and pet ownership provides much needed companionship for elderly and those with low to moderate income. HB1989: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support the prohibition of killing contests for coyotes and other fur bearing animals. Killing Contests are cruel and glorify violence. They can actually backfire and elevate populations, aggravating any problems that may be associated. HB2042: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support initiating protections for whistleblowers at animal testing and research facilities. It takes great courage to stand up for those that have no voice. These people should have protections against retaliation. HB2348: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support imposing Civil Penalties on Animal Research Facilities that choose not to comply with Federal Laws and Regulations. This is a sensible, common sense bill that would help guide these facilities toward a more lawful approach to these endeavors. This legislation is very much needed. Thank you so much. Bob Tubbs, Williamsburg, VA

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I support SB 1527 because this bill is important for the community cats and the people of Virginia. This bill will affirm that Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for cats is legal. Passage of this bill will support efforts to care for community cats.

I strongly support HB 1382 (Gooditis) and urge you to support this important animal protection bill. Declawing surgery is in fact amputation. It cruelly injures cats, depriving them of their natural abilities and defenses. Please vote YES on this humane legislation. I very strongly support HB1527 because TNR is the only effective and humane way to control the overpopulation of cats and kittens in our communities and should be adopted and supported statewide. It's been proven to work, and these animals have caretakers who support the colonies and get treatment for any cats that need it. Attrition will eventually impact the number of homeless animals while providing care for the current ones who present no threat to human health or welfare. Please support this bill. I strongly oppose HB1811 allowing hunters to have a continuous open season on deer. These animals deserve to live and rear their young without the constant threat and stress of being continually hunted. It's been shown that as deer populations increase, the birth rate decreases so it's not necessary to constantly cull herds. Please support this bill to allow deer to have a few months free from constant danger.

HB1382 | Gooditis | declawing cats is a barbaric process that as human beings, should NOT be inflicting on cats. HB1451 | Orrock | The majority of animals at pet shops are from mills. Pet shops should be eliminated period. HB1527 | Convirs-Fowler | the TNR program is important to stop unwanted cat and kitten deaths. HB1577 | Wachsmann | A rabid animal is still an animal and would require treatment if necessary before euthanizing and only a skilled veterinarian can make that determination and therefore would need to access in person. HB1721 | Clark | We need clean water. Human and animal alike. I also would advise for stricter regulations on all companies. Our water is disgusting. HB1984 | Kory | A water receptable for a pet should be cleaned twice and there should be more than enough to be provided and temperature specific. HB1985 | Kory | Pet shops; sale of dogs or cats. HB1989 | Kory | We are a civilized society and there is no need to hunt animals for sport or competition anymore. HB2000 | Kory | To be honest, there is no need for animal testing in this world. HB2331 | Campbell, E.H. | These roadside zoos and petting zoos are not regulated correctly and are rampant with health violations. HB2348 | Webert | I honestly do not understand why we are testing on animals. I'd say go directly to human trials. HB2417 | VanValkenburg | Dogs and cats are pets and should be treated with more respect and dignity than a lamp. HB2483 | Kory | There's no need to use such barbaric tools on elephants. In my opinion, I don't think elephants should be here in the US unless in a highly regarded zoo, such as the National Zoo, where there are veterinarians and conservationists who truly care about the animal.

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

I am writing to ask you to support HB 1527. I have been doing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for 20 yrs. Four of those yrs were working full time with a local rescue group and I was able to TNR between 2,000-3,000 cats and kittens. This is the only effective and humane way to control the overpopulation of cats and kittens in our communities and should be adopted and supported statewide. I have seen one TNR situation where a period of 2 wks to 2 months prevented approx 44 new kittens being born. TNR does work. Our community cats have caretakers that need help with keeping the population under control. This in return helps lower the intake in our shelters and rescue groups. Thank you.

HB1382: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support the prohibition of the declawing of cats. Declawing is cruel and only worsens problems with pet ownership. HB1406: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support the elimination of licensing fees for pet owners. Lower income citizens can be negatively affected by these fees and pet ownership provides much needed companionship for elderly and those with low to moderate income. HB1989: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support the prohibition of killing contests for coyotes and other fur bearing animals. Killing Contests are cruel and glorify violence. They can actually backfire and elevate populations, aggravating any problems that may be associated. HB2042: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support initiating protections for whistleblowers at animal testing and research facilities. It takes great courage to stand up for those that have no voice. These people should have protections against retaliation. HB2348: Dear Honorable Chair and Committee Members, Please support imposing Civil Penalties on Animal Research Facilities that choose not to comply with Federal Laws and Regulations. This is a sensible, common sense bill that would help guide these facilities toward a more lawful approach to these endeavors. This legislation is very much needed. Thank you so much. Bob Tubbs, Williamsburg, VA

TNR is the proven humane and effective solution to stabilize and reduce feral cat populations. The essential components are trap-neuter-vaccinate-return and caretaker managed cat colonies stabilize the cat population by preventing new litters while providing daily care. Without the critical spay/neuter intervention of TNR, cat populations can and do proliferate. In my community of Harrisonburg, TNR practiced at JMU has greatly reduced the number of feral cats on campus and could be a case study showing TNR's efficacy. This bill provides much needed clarity to current law and would allow TNR's practice under veterinary supervision. Please support this bill to help reduce the number of unwanted cats in our communities.

Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee, Please oppose House Bill 1527--this bill is irresponsible. A private citizen of Virginia would NEVER be allowed to abandon an animal in such a manner. Fixing the cat does not feed, water, or shelter it. It also does not provide emergency vet care. THERE WOULD BE PUBLIC OUTRAGE IF ANYONE TRIED TO DO THIS WITH DOGS. HB 1527 ignores the many problems that feral cats cause. Are participants in these programs willing to pay for the financial damages that result after releasing these cats back into Virginia's communities? Under 3.2 - 6500, a feral cat is defined as a COMPANION animal. HB 1527 does not change this. Citizens continue to be defined as owners of feral cats if they "harbor" them on their property. This means that if the cat is in less than perfect health, citizens can be charged with neglect and cruelty. The members of VAOA have seen first-hand how a fellow animal owner was held responsible for feral cats that lived on his property even though the folks with the Animal Law Unit could not catch them all! HB 1527 is not the answer to the feral cat problem. The members of VAOA ask our legislators to strongly oppose this bill. It is not really helping the cats and will only cause more problems for Virginia's citizens. Sincerely, Heidi Crosky Virginia Animal Owners Alliance

HB 1527 was was drafted without the input of any of the members of the state-mandated Free-Roaming Cat Stakeholder Working Group, which just completed 18 months of work to find solutions to the harm that the estimated 1.2 million unowned cats in Virginia cause to birds and small animals and the public health risks they create. H.B. 1527 addresses only one aspect of a complex problem. It fails to take into account the issues that the Working Group has spent months addressing, including: the need for multiple strategies to reduce the population of free-roaming cats, the importance of not releasing trapped cats back to the environment without the consent of the affected property owner, the need for standards and training for people who feed unowned cats to reduce the risks to wildlife, the importance of public education campaigns to address the abandonment of cats, and the need for research on the best ways to address the free-roaming cat problem. It is truly disheartening how little the community understands the gravity of the impact of free-roaming cats on wildlife and on public health. TNR isn't nearly adequate as a policy.

Feral cat populations need to be addressed in a humane way and now. A point all interested parties can agree on. TNR is only one part of what needs to be a multiple part strategy to deal with feral cat over population and wildlife predation. The return of feral cats after neutering to the place they were trapped creates no greater danger to wildlife than had previously existed in that place AND neutering assures that predation there will decrease, instead of increase, over time. There is not now, any other realistic humane destination for these animals. As both a cat and a bird lover, I wish there was a better solution. But I know that my street community, which used the TNR program sponsored by our animal shelter who trained us, was able to deal effectively with a growing feral colony. Over a 5 year period (2005-2010), we trapped and neutered 26 cats, from our one street. Unfortunately it’s a rough life out on the street. The cats who started with us as kittens did not make the common 18-20 year life span of house cats. Since 2010, we have had only one feral cat roaming here, spayed. She is fed by community members. There would have been exponential population growth in that time without TNR. Those opposed to TNR due to wildlife impact, who argue against the bill as not broad enough, could have presented additional inclusions and solutions. But they have not. This bill should be approved as one step forward in dealing humanely with feral cats. Please support the bill.

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

Please pass HB 1525 Cat TNR programs. These programs reduce cat populations humanely, cut down on shelter populations and euthanasias, and protect wildlife and birds. PLease pass HB1985 to end selling puppy mill puppies. All dogs or cats should cease being sold at pet shops as shelters are full, and companion animals are killed for lack of homes. Please pass HB2000 ending animal testing and research. This is abominable and useless torture of animals, and proves nothing. There are more modern, accurate ways for research and medical purposes.

Please pass HB 1525 Cat TNR programs. These programs reduce cat populations humanely, cut down on shelter populations and euthanasias, and protect wildlife and birds. PLease pass HB1985 to end selling puppy mill puppies. All dogs or cats should cease being sold at pet shops as shelters are full, and companion animals are killed for lack of homes.

Please pass HB 1525 Cat TNR programs. These programs reduce cat populations humanely, cut down on shelter populations and euthanasias, and protect wildlife and birds.

Please pass HB 1382 to prohibit declawing of cats. Declawing is the equivalent of removing the first finger joint of a human, is very painful, and can cause lifelong health issues for affected cats. This brutality needs to stop now.

Adding costs to pet ownership just compounds the problem of overcrowding our shelters. TNR is the compassionate solution to overpopulation of cats and dogs. It costs much less in the long term than funding shelters and medical costs. If we prohibit the sale of pets in pet shops, the animals in shelters would find more homes. (And the treatment of animals in most pet shops in reprehensible....)

Adding costs to pet ownership just compounds the problem of overcrowding our shelters. TNR is the compassionate solution to overpopulation of cats and dogs. It costs much less in the long term than funding shelters and medical costs.

Sorry, wrong bill.

Please pass this bill... we need our trees!

HB1382 | Gooditis | declawing cats is a barbaric process that as human beings, should NOT be inflicting on cats. HB1451 | Orrock | The majority of animals at pet shops are from mills. Pet shops should be eliminated period. HB1527 | Convirs-Fowler | the TNR program is important to stop unwanted cat and kitten deaths. HB1577 | Wachsmann | A rabid animal is still an animal and would require treatment if necessary before euthanizing and only a skilled veterinarian can make that determination and therefore would need to access in person. HB1721 | Clark | We need clean water. Human and animal alike. I also would advise for stricter regulations on all companies. Our water is disgusting. HB1984 | Kory | A water receptable for a pet should be cleaned twice and there should be more than enough to be provided and temperature specific. HB1985 | Kory | Pet shops; sale of dogs or cats. HB1989 | Kory | We are a civilized society and there is no need to hunt animals for sport or competition anymore. HB2000 | Kory | To be honest, there is no need for animal testing in this world. HB2331 | Campbell, E.H. | These roadside zoos and petting zoos are not regulated correctly and are rampant with health violations. HB2348 | Webert | I honestly do not understand why we are testing on animals. I'd say go directly to human trials. HB2417 | VanValkenburg | Dogs and cats are pets and should be treated with more respect and dignity than a lamp. HB2483 | Kory | There's no need to use such barbaric tools on elephants. In my opinion, I don't think elephants should be here in the US unless in a highly regarded zoo, such as the National Zoo, where there are veterinarians and conservationists who truly care about the animal.

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

Please see attached marked

We must protect Virginia waters and protect the community from harm we are danger

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

I oppose HB1623 and ask who is supposed to drink the water if this bill should pass.

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I am AGAINST this bill because this directly will affect the safety of our water. Our water already contains dangerous amounts of chemicals that are somehow deemed legal. This bill will only allow for less accountability of the toxins present in our water and enable more toxins to become present due to less regulation.

The Virginia Cattlemens Association supports HB 1660 and HB 1848. There 25,000 cattle producers across the Commonwealth and along with dairy contribute almost 700 million dollars a year to the economy. Both HB 1660 and HB 1848 are focused on efficient agricultural producers and provide support and help to keep family farms viable and sustainable.

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

We must protect Virginia waters and protect the community from harm we are danger

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

The Virginia Cattlemens Association supports HB 1660 and HB 1848. There 25,000 cattle producers across the Commonwealth and along with dairy contribute almost 700 million dollars a year to the economy. Both HB 1660 and HB 1848 are focused on efficient agricultural producers and provide support and help to keep family farms viable and sustainable.

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

Please see attached marked

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

I support HB1949. We need more oysters to filter water and improve its quality to support all the other sea life.

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I would like to support both bills pertaining to Native plant species and Noxious/Invasive plants. I have been a citizen science volunteer in Virginia since 1999 when I graduated from college. Over the years I have seen and learned just how detrimental invasive plants are to our community as a whole, and the impact they are having on our natural ecosystems and the services they provide. It dumb founds me that I was learning about this in college in 1995 and here 28 years later we have made progress, but how little it is. The progress is by the citizens, the non-profits, the homeowners, the researchers. If we had really started making changes 30 years ago can you imagine what could have been accomplished?! Implementing regulation to stop the sale of these harmful plants, rules as to what can be planted on public lands, guidelines to both residential and commercial builder as to what kind of landscaping is acceptable in our state, more funding/tax credits to citizens like me who are willing to spend thousands of dollars to remove their lawn, install conservation landscaping and volunteer hours every year pulling and chopping down invasive plants. Just imagine what we could do if there was state regulation and backing!! Please stop kicking the can!! We are running out of time. We must make drastic changes and see how beautiful our state could really be if we managed our land with love!! Sincerely, Renee Kitt Old Rag Master Naturalist The Clifton Institute Volunteer VCAP Recipient for conservation landscaping Owner and Grower - Ahimsa Native Plants and Design

I'm not a resident of Virginia, but I support the control of invasive species everywhere, especially in your beautiful state. Thank you for you work on this bill and know how grateful people are outside your state! Lori Ecker Indianapolis, Indiana (317) 430-3639

Many nurseries sell invasive non-native plants to homeowners who are unknowing of the damage these plants cause to Virginia's native habitat. I support this bill as a way of educating homeowners and vendors.

HB1998 Strongly support the use of native plant species on state properties. HB2096 Strongly support regular updates of the invasive plant species list as well as increased information available to consumers regarding those species.

I urge the passage of HB 2096 for its benefits on Virginia's local environment. Invasive plants threaten our already vulnerable ecosystems, and when these same plants are sold by nurseries and stores - it only encourages their use by the general public. For instance, English Ivy has killed a multitude of trees in our county alone, and yet, it is still sold in our stores. By prohibiting the sale and use of invasive plants, Virginia's Invasive Management teams (professional or voluntary) will also be able to save a lot of time and resources. The passage of this bill will also bring Virginia up to speed with its neighboring States, like Maryland, who passed a similar bill a few years ago. However, instead of creating a new invasive species list, the State should simply adopt the invasive species list for our region - which are widely available. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service publish a list of invasives for our mid-atlantic region: https://www.invasive.org/alien/pubs/midatlantic/midatlantic.pdf By adopting a pre-existing list, it will save the State both time and money, and help us implement the invasive prohibitions faster.

I urge you to pass this important bill to protect our native plants and animal species from noxious weeds.

HB1811 | Oppose: As someone who enjoys horseback riding through the state, hunting season is always potentially dangerous and difficult to navigate. Perpetually open hunting season would have drastic negative repercussions on the equine industry throughout the state. HB1984 | Oppose: This sounds like a good idea but could create difficulties for people with livestock guardian animals who are already under fire from overzealous animal rights advocates. I would support this bill with more specific language. HB1985 | Support HB1989 | Strongly support HB1998 | Strongly support: Increasing native plant populations is vitally important for the preservation of biodiversity and our pollinator populations. Increasing native plants on public lands is a fantastic use of public resources (when money will be put towards plants or landscaping anyway) and will also serve to increase visibility and awareness. HB2096 | Strongly support: I'm concerned about removing a provision that prohibits movement, etc. of invasive plants but strongly support the remainder of the bill. Many people continue to buy, sell, trade, and plant known invasive plants because they're not officially listed in the state or because uneducated consumers request them. Many business (and arboretums!?!!) continue to carry and sell these plants for the same reasons. The state invasive plant list is woefully out of date. Actually updating and listing invasive plants as such would go a long way towards helping to fix some of these issues. Thank you for taking my comments into consideration

On behalf of our neighborhood, I strongly urge as much action as possible to remove invasive species from our parks and other public lands. I am a volunteer coordinator with the Invasive Management Area program, but the problem is so big, we can use all the resources possible to control invasives. I see trees covered in ivy all along Pickett Road where I bike and Braddock Roads where I often drive. These trees will pose a danger of falling as well as being an ecological hazard.

I am writing to urge the adoption of HB2096, which will allow the Board of Agriculture to regulate the movement of widespread noxious weeds without a permit. It is critical that such weeds be listed as noxious, which will raise public awareness of the dangers they pose in our gardens, meadows, and forests. I also support the provision that tradespeople be required to inform homeowners of the great risk of the weeds/plants they are installing taking over their property and reducing the space for invaluable native species to take root. As a volunteer for Virginia Master Naturalists, I have for 12 years devoted countless hours to invasive species removal on our public lands. I have seen firsthand the damage done to native species, and the effect this damage has on pollinators. As a gardener, I have worked to remove bamboo, English Ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, and liriope (among countless other noxious plants) from my garden, only to witness their return from my neighbors' yards. Particularly exasperating is that landscapers for newly built homes use almost exclusively invasive plants. In my own little garden, I have noted a worrisome drop in insects, as well as in more vulnerable bird species like chickadees, which depend on native plants to supply the caterpillars for their young, I hope you will consider these factors when debating the merits of the bill.

The above two bills could hugely (positively) impact our natural environments. We are losing these biodiverse, special environments as I type. While noxious weeds are usually only mitigated as an agricultural pest - our natural landscapes are being destroyed by invasive plants and everything suffers because of it. By limiting non-native/invasive plants being used, it can mitigate the efforts (physical and monetary) that goes into reclaiming and preserving landscapes. Prioritizing ornamental native plants on state property is the catalyst needed for restoring our natural environments and biodiversity. Native plants require less fertilizer, less amending, and less water as they have evolved to be planted here. It would benefit everyone to see these two bills passed!

I believe we should be referring to invasive species as pollutants. It is not acceptable that in 2023 people are still propagating these plants in the name of aesthetics without regard to the habitat destruction potential. We can do better but we need education and norms to change.

Please support HB2096. I have removed invasive weeds from my yard and now my backyard is a Native Woodland Garden. I need no fertilizers and the birds and other animals love it! Leaving our planet healthy is a legacy for our children. Thank you.

Virginia LCV encourages you to SUPPORT HB2096 HB2096 (Bulova) Noxious weeds; invasive plant species. Reasons to SUPPORT HB2096: Increased public awareness of the problem of invasive plants in the landscape. Support for the use of economically and ecologically superior native plant species by state agencies showcases beneficial native plantings to the public. Authorizes the Board of Agriculture to create regulations allowing the incidental movement of particular widespread agricultural weeds without a permit, and so facilitate their listing as noxious weeds, a public awareness benefit. The provision that tradespeople inform their clients of the installation of invasive plants on their properties provides property owners data they need to make informed plant choice decisions.

I write in strong support of two bills, HB 1998, relating to promotion of the use of native plants on state property and HB 2096, relating to noxious weeds and invasive plants. HB 1998, promoting the use of native plants: they require little maintenance, being adapted to our native soils and climate; and also support our pollinators, and they are also beautiful. HB2096 addresses aspects of Noxious weeds and invasive plants in general. Noxious weeds and invasive plants in general are growing ever more dominant in our native landscapes, with much damage to our native plants. We must work to manage these invasive plants and also work to keep them from being sold in the trade, which means they are spreading in part because people buy them, not realizing the damage they can do to our native landscapes. Thank you for positive consideration of these bills. Sincerely, Ruth Douglas Albemarle County

Native plants support beneficial insects, birds and native wildlife. Expanding their use whenever possible and practicable benefits the ecosystem in which we live. Therefore, I support HB1998 which will prioritize the use of native plants on state properties. Invasive, non-native plant crowd out and out compete beneficial native plants which has a detrimental effect on both the flora and fauna of our region. Therefore, I also support HB2096 which will reduce the availability and use of invasive plants in Virginia.

I am writing in support of HB2096. I have owned, since 1980, 170 acres of predominantly forestland which is in conservation easements with the VA Dept of Forestry. What was once pristine land, except for deer predation and Japanese honeysuckle, is now filling up with alanthus, Jap stilt grass, Asian Bittersweet, Russian Olive, Asian Barberry, Chinese lespedeza, Japanese clover, and Beefsteak Plant, to name the worst. I could list many others I see around the county that I don't yet have on my property. Some used to be highly recommended by the State for wildlife (I havethe brochures.), others for the highways, others are still sold in nurseries. Many don't realize that they are buying invasives, while the State is still planting others. The State is ruining its own pastures, forests, and parks. Please pass HB2096 to stop the spread of invasives. They are costing many thousands of man hours and dollars to remove or otherwise eradicate them, often requiring toxic herbicides to kill them. Many landowners feel overwhelmed by the efforts involved. Thank you.

I support this legislation. Invasive species have wrought enough economic and ecological damage. Citizens (home gardeners) need to be provided with resources on which plants are invasive in order to cease and prevent future invasions.

I heartily endorse the objectives of both these bills, which will serve the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia by creating more sustainable habitat that can support urgent biodiversity goals. Please cast your votes favorably for sound stewardship of our green spaces with this sensible legislation. Thank you.

Please support HB 2096. The problem of invasive plants has become too obvious to be ignored and is impacting our natural habitat. Our organization is thrilled to see this bill on the legislative agenda! Invasive plants out compete native plants, decrease plant diversity, and degrade native habitat. My organization, Urban Forest Alliance, is engaged with trying to educate our neighbors in Franklin Park, McLean, about the damage that invasive plants cause. Our neighborhood, an urban forest, has seen many trees overrun by several types of invasive vines planted as ornamentals. These vines eventually kill trees, which can then cause damage to homes, roads, and possibly cause injury or death. Most of these invasive plants are sold as ornamentals and homeowners lack the understanding that what they are buying is harmful to the environment. This bill can help change that! The UFA has spent a lot of effort, time, and money address areas overrun by Japanese knotweed, Porcelain berry, and Japanese wisteria, to name only three of the pervasive invasive plants found in our neighborhood. We have received a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry that provides funds to try and control Japanese knotweed on a VDOT right-of-way. This is an example of taxpayer dollars spent to curb the problem of invasive plants, but this is only a small example. The cost of addressing this issue will only increase if measures are not taken now. Invasive plants need to be controlled or they will become a major burden to taxpayers and homeowners. Please support this bill!

Comment on HB1998 State agencies should set the example by not planting invasive species. This not only discourages others from using them, but also demonstrates how native plants can be used effectively in their place. I support passage of this bill.

As a professional ecologist, I have seen the devastation wrought by invasive plants on our natural ecosystems. The problem continues to get worse as many of these plants are still used in horticulture. This bill is a good start in increasing awareness of the problem and helping to stem the flood of invasive plants. I support its passage.

I am in SUPPORT of HB 1998 and HB 2096, and I would like the state of VA to take this one step further and altogether ban the sale or planting of invasives that make it onto the official list these bills would produce. It is heartbreaking to drive route 211 from Warrenton to Shenandoah National Park and see the autumn olives, tree of heaven, and bradford pears that have escaped cultivation and are choking out our native habitat for wildlife. Many well meaning but unknowing gardeners earnestly believe that, because they do not see their invasive plants popping up in their own gardens, that they must not be spreading. Please drive route 211 or take a hike in the SNP and see that you are wrong. The amount of resources that landowners and the park must use in order to combat these invasives is staggering. [Kudos, btw, to whoever lives at Calico Farm and just took out ALL the bradford pears that lined their driveway!] It is already possibly too late though for our park. Other states are out and out BANNING all invasives. These two bills in question today are good, but they are still not enough.

I am writing to support the use of native plants on state properties. This will enable citizens to see the beauty of native plants and to encourage more planting of natives. Native plants support the ecosystem and are essential to the life of birds and other creatures. Invasive plants are taking over many of the natural areas of the Alexandria area. It is so discouraging to walk through the parks and see the English ivy and other invasive plants growing up trees and all over the ground crowding out our native plants. I urge you to support HB 1998.

Please support HB2096. Invasive plants have devastating impacts on our ecosystems and our economy. Passage of this bill will go a long way toward addressing this serious problem with which we are faced here in the Commonwealth. We must protect and celebrate our native plant life.

The use of native plants should be encouraged by state agencies since they are the right choice to support native insects and animals. That tradespeople need to inform their clients of the installation of invasive plants on their property will help property owners think about the consequences of their actions. I urge you to support HB 2096.

I strongly urge the Committee to support HB 2096. Concerted action is needed to reduce the stranglehold of invasive plants in our Commonwealth. Invasive plants degrade natural environments, displace native plants, promote introduction of non-native insects and other pests, destroy habitats for critical native species and increase threats to human health (e.g., by supporting higher tick populations and increasing the incidence of Lyme and other diseases). Invasive plants also constitute many of the weeds that hinder agricultural production and forestry. HB 2096 will enhance programs by several state agencies to coordinate efforts to prevent or control invasive plants while reducing the burden on farmers and foresters who might inadvertently transport invasive plants in the course of managing their fields and woodlots.

Dear legislators, please support this bill that would enable consumers to make better informed decisions when selecting plants for their home landscapes. After learning about the advantages of native plants two years ago, my husband and I have enjoyed restoring native wildlife habitat on our property in Chesterfield County. It is a joy to see so many new native insect, bird, and other wildlife visit our gardens and to know we are doing our part to help heal the earth. I have shared what I have learned with other homeowners who are now doing the same. HB 2096 will really help to spread this word. Thank you.

I support Bill HB2096 addressing noxious weeds and invasive plant species. A member of Mil Mountain Garden Club and Garden Club of Virginia, I am a avid supporter of promoting native plants and addressing the negative impacts of invasive plants. Invasive plants are one of the most challenging aspects of developing and maintaining a natural habitat of native plants. Please continue to work to pass this bill to protect the natural beauty of Virginia. Thank you!

As a native plant gardener and conservationist I am dismayed by the continued sale of non-native invasive plant species by Virginia nurseries. These two bills will help curb sale of invasive English Ivy.

Thank you for hearing my comments on invasive species in the commonwealth. As a boy I learned very quickly about invasive species. On our farm we participated in the extension programs that planted multi flora roses for living fences and kudzu for erosion control . Sixty years later our land is still infested with these species. There are many more invasives being sold by nurseries and proliferated onto the landscape every day. As a grassland farmer I am fighting to keep my pastures from being taken over by fountain grass. This invasive grass is grown by nurseries in Va and also many out of state nurseries are selling via on line sales. These and many other invasive species are responsible for the destruction of native species in our grasslands and forests. I support this bill to improve our fight on invasive species. The Va Invasive Species Management Plan needs funding support to fully address the massive problems these species are causing across our landscape.

Please support HB 2096. It is good for farmers and for the environment, since this bill will allow listings of noxious plants without risking prosecution of individuals for incidental movement of noxious plants and seeds. This makes listings easier and it makes educating the public a priority. Installing native plants on state property and requiring tradespeople to inform clients of invasive plants will help educate the public and give a boost to native birds and pollinators.

Invasive plants have cost Virginia millions of dollars to control and pose a severe threat to our agricultural and forested lands, not to mention the damage they have done to Virginia’s parks, forests, and natural areas. HB 2096 is certainly a move in the right direction in combatting the spread of invasive species on private and state lands. Especially important is the provision that tradespeople inform their clients of any potentially invasive plant materials specified for their properties. This provides property owners the information they need to make informed plant choice decisions. I have spent much of my professional career in the horticultural and landscaping field, teaching landscape professionals how to landscape in ways that protect our watersheds, ecosystems, and biodiversity and it is dismaying to see the many invasive species sold and promoted by “landscape professionals” that quickly escape and spread out of control onto other private properties and ultimately invade our natural areas - strangling trees and decimating fields, riparian buffers and marshlands. These noxious invasives quickly crowd out the native plants that are adapted to our local ecosystems and form the foundation of our food web and natural productivity and support our pollinators and ecosystem services. I know the value that landscape professionals can have in wisely advising their clients of ecologically beneficial native species and the critical threats of invasive species. I can’t tell you how many times in my former Northern Virginia community, landscape “professionals” installed Virginia listed invasive species into the riparian buffer zones promising homeowners that these were environmentally responsible plantings. Not only did these invasive plants flourish and spread out of bounds onto neighboring properties, they spread onto community properties that were specifically planted with Fairfax County natives and that protected mature Urban forests that protected the watershed. Not only this, these invasive plants dispersed seeds into the watershed where it moved downstream into public parks and conservation lands, costing taxpayers huge amounts of money to control and eliminate. I also strongly support the prioritization of ecologically superior native plant species by Virginia’s state agencies, a policy that will greatly increase ecologically diverse landscapes. Ecologically diverse lands full of native species are resilient to disturbance and perform many invaluable services free of charge, such as preventing erosions and stormwater runoff, preventing flooding, combatting climate change, and so much more. Prioritizing the planting of Virginia natives will also showcase healthy beneficial native plantings to the public. Please support HB 2096 for the sake of all Virginians and the health of our beautiful state.

Please pass the above two bills. It makes sense to put native plant species in the state's parks. Regarding the removal of invasive plants, there should not be legal restrictions to remove them from a property or dispose of them.

As an active volunteer for nature preserves & home owner of a wildlife friendly property I am deeply committed to helping controls invasives plants and include native plants in my plantings. I have found over the years that using native plants brings much enjoyed wildlife to areas as well as healing the environment. With climate patterns changing it seems invasives are also increasing & affecting the wildlife loss & economic problems for all. Thank you for your bill.

Dear Representative, Thank you for taking the time to read my feedback on HB 2096 Noxious weeds; invasive plant species' bill. These undesirable plants are more than noxious. They threaten every bird and insect in our forest. Probably they had already altered the edaphic microbiota of our soils. And most importantly, they threaten the continuation of the Eastern US deciduous forest as we know them. It does not take a professional eye to realize that native trees are being displaced by unwanted intruders. We are all going to pay the price in one way or another. Thank you for the amendments in this bill. They are a start in the right direction. They are not sufficient, but hopefully they will influence future bills. Sincerely yours, Virginia Zuniga

I strongly support HB2096. The provision that tradespeople inform their clients of the installation of invasive plants on their properties provides property owners data they need to make informed plant choice decisions. It would also support the use of economically and ecologically superior native plant species by state agencies, and thereby showcase beneficial native plantings to the public. This is an important bill to safeguard our fragile environment.

I strongly support HB2096. The provision that tradespeople inform their clients of the installation of invasive plants on their properties provides property owners data they need to make informed plant choice decisions. It would also support the use of economically and ecologically superior native plant species by state agencies, and thereby showcase beneficial native plantings to the public. This is an important bill to safeguard our fragile environment.

I emphatically support HB 2096. Too many garden centers and big box stores sell flats of invasive species without even a label indicating that they are invasive. As a long time volunteer, I've spent 20 years removing invasive plants that have escaped from private property into adjacent parks, woodlands and other natural areas. This is a never-ending task and invasive plants are causing the death of many trees and preventing young native trees from getting established. Support by the state of Virginia is desperately needed to prevent the sale of noxious weeds (the list of which could be expanded) and to educate the public about the economic and environmental damage caused. Thank you.

Awareness is coming! Please pass this bill. Keep the momentum going. The public is waking up to these opportunities to improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. It has started in our backyards (the grass roots level) now finish it in the state of Virginia!

Invasive plants are taking over our development which includes our woods, open areas, and creek. As a result, our native plants and wildlife have been seriously threatened. It is vital to stop invasive plants from being sold in Virginia nurseries.

My wife and I support Bill HB2096 addressing noxious weeds and invasive plant species. We are avid supporters of promoting native plants and addressing the negative impacts of invasive plants. Invasive plants are one of the most challenging aspects of developing and maintaining a natural habitat of native plants. Please continue to work to pass this bill.

I support this bill. Invasive plant species are destroying the habitat for our Virginia natives and are taking over our forests. Please stop the sale of invasive species by plant nurseries. I still see many non-native ornamental plants for sale at local nurseries and big box stores such as oriental bittersweet, bamboo, nandina domestica, japanese barberry, euonymus alata, privet, bradford pear. Stop this now! There are plenty of beautiful native plants that could be sold instead. Virginia should create a Job Corp project to hire young people in the summers to rid our parks and public lands of these horrible plants.

I am in support of this legislation in order to begin to address the incredible number of invasive plants that have taken over so much of our countryside and our roadways. Listing and publicizing problem plants is a start.

It is critical that we support HB 1998 and HB 2096 in the importance of native plants in our ecosystem and to address the massive problems of invasive species.

I am a volunteer with the Fairfax County Park Authority to remove invasive species from our local forests. This is an endless and frustrating task given the extent to which our public lands are infested with eco-destroying invasive plants. We NEED STATE SUPPORT for eradication programs AND to address the problem of garden centers and big box stores selling flats of invasive species without even a label indicating that they are invasive. At the very least, a label might help homeowners make more mindful decisions about their landscaping needs.

I am writing in support of HB2096 concerning noxious weeds.

I am writing in support of HB 2096. It is vitally important to have state support for managing and eradicating invasive plant species. Although many homeowners and landowners are making efforts to mitigate the spread of and damage caused by these species, we need state-level efforts, too.

Please support both HB 1998 encouraging the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger of installing non-native, invasive plants on their property. Thank you.

I am writing in support of HB 2096. It is vitally important to have state support for managing and eradicating invasive plant species. Although many homeowners and landowners are making efforts to mitigate the spread of and damage caused by these species, we need state-level efforts, too.

1) Please require retailers and landscapers to discourage landowners from installing invasive plants in Virginia and to inform landowners about the risks they pose and 2) Please develop --and regularly update--a list of plants that are invasive in Virginia. Furthermore I ask that you 3) follow the lead of other states and localities and prohibit the sale and trade of invasive plants in Virginia. Taking these steps will be a huge cost saver because removing invasive plant species is both incredibly expensive and labor intensive, as my experience has informed me.... As a homeowner, I am sad to see our state's parks and woodlands as well as my own woodland property being completely overrun with invasive weeds (namely English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, Oriental bittersweet, and bamboo among others).... These invasive vines climb up trees, strangling them or thwarting their growth by stealing their nutrients, sunlight, and water. The weight of these invasive vines can cause trees to topple in high winds or winter weather, damaging property and injuring people. I've seen with my own eyes trees and saplings that have been strangled by invasive vines. Meanwhile, other (non-vining invasive species) take over woodlands and form an impenetrable matt on the ground that destroys the ecosystem, robbing native pollinators, birds, and animals of the native plants that they need for food and shelter. It's easy to see where these invasive species originate. They are being sold every day at local garden centers and big box retailers. People buy them, not realizing how their plentiful seeds will be spread near and far by wind, water, and birds, and that they will run amok and ruin our woodlands. Please take action now to save trees, pollinators, and other native flora and fauna.

Please support both HB 1998 encouraging the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger of installing non-native, invasive plants on their property.

I am writing to urge you to protect native plant species by passing HB 2096 and HB 1998. I have been part of the never-ending fight to preserve our native habitats, working and leading invasive removal events in Arlington to protect and preserve the insects, trees, flowers, and small mammals that would otherwise be able to thrive in our forests. On almost every walk through our parks, I see non-native plants such as English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and loads more smothering the landscape and pushing out our lovely native habitats. Maddeningly, many invasive species continue to be planted by landscaping companies. More support from the state is vital to fund removal efforts and public education and to place restrictions on landscaping companies on what can be planted.

Please support both HB 1998 encouraging the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger of installing non-native, invasive plants on their property.

With regard to HB 1998 and 2096: I am strongly in favor of all action that supports and prioritizes the use of native plants. Native plants provide homes and food for wildlife and protect our environment. Noxious and invasive weeds such as English ivy should be discouraged as they are killing our native plants.

I am a VA MASTER Naturalist. Many if not most of my volunteer hours are spent removing invasive plants from parks, recreational areas and private properties. It is an all consuming task which often feels hopeless. This bill will go a long way towards helping us battle this very problematic issue to our natural resources.

I strongly support regulation and licensing of importation of invasive plant species into the Commonwealth. The damage done in the past is evident and it's well past time to limit the damage to our ecosystem. It's well past time for commercial providers to replace these noxious species with those native to the Commonwealth. Please advance and pass this piece of legislation.

I urge the Committee to support HB 2096. Invasive plants damage natural environments by displacing native plants, promoting introduction of non-native insects and other pests, destroying habitat for other species, and often creating threats to human health (e.g., supporting higher tick populations, containing contact toxins, releasing asthma-exacerbating pollen, etc.) Invasive plants also constitute many of the weeds that hinder agriculture production and forestry. HB 2096 will enhance programs by several state agencies to coordinate efforts to prevent or control invasive plants while easing the burden on farmers or foresters who might inadvertently transport invasive plants in the course of managing their fields and woodlots.

I am concerned about invasive plant species and the importance of native plants to our ecosystem and human wellbeing.

I've been fighting invasive vines among others ever since I purchased our humble old house almost 5 years ago now. They had climbed the highest trees and were threatening to bring them down. I took care of those, but the vines and other invasives bring down trees at a high clip, which causes us to lose power at a high clip. Last Jan we lost power for nearly a week, with a 2 year old and wife, in our 130 year old house, was not fun. I strongly believe putting forth an effort to fight back and natively restore Virginia will help her to continue attracting tourists and business alike, with her natural beauty.

I feel it is vital for the future health of our children and communities to prioritize native plants on our state lands and for sale in private nurseries. Invasive plants and noxious weeds should not be sold in our state. Reducing the proliferation of these plants will improve the health of our environment and our resilience as climate change continues to progress.

I strongly support both HB 1998 to encourage the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger and identity of non-native plants. While there seems to be a ground swelling of interest in the ecological and cost-saving benefits , there is more to be done. Anything our Commonwealth can do to support the use of native species will help! Thank you.

My husband and I greatly favor all the bills checked. Puppy mills, shooting contests against animals, control of selling and shipping noxious weeds, and the support of native plants on state owned lands, are all sensible, basic steps that should obviously be taken. They are all sensible and, indeed, "no brainer" first steps in controlling these problems.

I am writing on before of my wife and myself. We spend literally 100's of hours each year fighting invasive plants on over 600 acres of land here along the Shenandoah River. There is a strong need for more awareness among the general public and landowners in particular, of the many environmental problems posed by invasives.

As a plant biologist, ecologist, and assistant curator at the State Arboretum of Virginia, I strongly support both HB 1998 to encourage the use of native plants on public property and HB 2096 to educate the public on the danger of installing non-native, invasive plants on their property. Native plants are our biological heritage - they are an integral part of our landscape that are uniquely Virginian, and bring a beauty and character to our public spaces that cannot be replicated elsewhere. As Virginians, we should take pride in our native flora and utilize them whenever possible to beautify our public spaces. Additionally, native plants are the backbone of our local ecosystems. The collection of natural systems that purify our air and water, provide pollination and nutrients to our crops and forage for our livestock, all require native plants to function well. Even small plantings of native plants in public spaces can create very real, functional habitat for essential pollinators and soil micro-organisms, which will in turn support populations of songbirds, amphibians, and other beneficial wildlife that help control insect pests such as mosquitoes while adding beauty and wonder to our public spaces. By passing these two bills, we will simultaneously be educating the public about the dangers of invasive plant species that reduce habitat for native plants, and supporting the use and proliferation of native plants in our public spaces. These two actions will serve to strengthen Virginians' connection to the biological heritage of our landscape, beautify our public spaces, and build more resilient ecosystems. Thank you for our time. Jack Monsted

I have served as the Landscape Chair for the Stonehurst HOA (near Fairfax Circle) for the past 6 years. In that time we have lost a major swath of the green belt that surrounded our neighborhood to infill development. As a long time resident of Northern Virginia, I also notice that our parks and road easements have become choked with invasive vines and plants. HOAs have limited funds to tackle invasive plant species and educate residents on the drawbacks of non-natives. Garden centers and landscape companies could do so much more to be a force for good. Passage of HB 1998 and 2096 will help us all work together, with public and private efforts, to stem the tide of habitat loss and maintain healthy green spaces in Virginia. Let this be a legacy we are willing to fight for.

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District serves Fairfax County and is one of 47 such Districts across Virginia. We promote sustainable urban, suburban, and agricultural activities and stewardship services to conserve our Commonwealth’s soil, water, air, plants, and animal resources. Invasive plants cause both economic and environmental problems in all regions of the Commonwealth. Often sold to unwitting purchasers, invasive plants easily and rapidly spread onto neighboring private lands and into adjacent county, state, and federal conservation areas. They often cause expensive and difficult to solve management problems for neighboring landowners and degrade the environmental health of farms, forests, and parks across the Commonwealth. At the December 2022 annual meeting of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Roanoke, the Association unanimously expressed support of legislation and other efforts to further control the spread of invasive plants in Virginia. Consistent with that position, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District strongly supports HB2096 patroned by Delegate Bulova. Delegate Bulova has revised his bill on this topic that was carried over from the previous session to address some concerns expressed last year. We believe HB 2096 takes several positive, reasonable, appropriate, and what might even be described as conservative steps to address the many problems posed by invasive plants. We urge its prompt passage.

The limitation on the planting and selling of invasive plants is incredibly important. Currently, invasive plants are taking over our wooded areas, roadsides, and residential areas. Without proper limitations on their sale, trade and use, they will further encroach in these areas, and force out the plants that provide habitat and nourishment to our insects, pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Furthermore, these plants multiply and grow at very high rates, so reviewing and adding to the list of invasive plants/noxious weeds is an important task that needs to take place every couple of years. I do not want to live in a place where all I see is English Ivy smothering trees, Tree of Heaven taking over the roadsides, and Bradford/Callery pear trees crowding out native Dogwoods and Redbuds. These are only a few examples of the problematic invasive plants that are in Virginia. I fully support both HB1998 and HB2096 as they seek to limit invasive plants and encourage the use of native plants. In addition to these bills, an effort should also be made to find funding for the removal of invasive plants and trees across the state, especially along roadsides, highways and easements in every county. The invasive plants that are already growing and thriving will continue to take over and multiply unless there is a concerted effort to remove them from the landscape.

I strongly support the provisions of HB 2096. It is past time to have an effective education and control program for noxious weeds and invasive species. We are losing the habitats for our native pollinators and spreading needless invasive species in both rural and urban areas. Our ecosystem is already facing serious challenges due to climate change, too many impervious surfaces, development that removes natural vegetation, unregulated sales of invasive plants to name just a few major actions that are transforming our landscape.

The Virginia Native Plants Society has made me aware of this HB2096 to improve control of the intentional importation of invasive plants into our commonwealth. I most emphatically support the need to reduce invasive plants which are outcompeting many of our natives and changing our landscape into nothing but English ivy and burning bush. Our native animals and insects need native plants to thrive. A comprehensive and updated listing of invasive species is critical. Removal of invasives and the intentional planting of native species whenever planting is needed or desired are both of vital importance. I also support HB 1998 to educate our citizens on the beauty and utility of native plants through the use of native plants in any state funded planting areas. This process is economical and can become a source of pride and encouragement for our citizens.

HB1998 and HB2096 are small steps forward, and those steps move Virginia in the right direction. Please support passage.

This bill authorizes the Board of Agriculture to create regulations allowing the incidental movement of particular widespread agricultural weeds without a permit, and so facilitates their listing as noxious weeds, a public awareness benefit. The provision that tradespeople inform their clients of the installation of invasive plants on their properties provides property owners data they need to make informed plant choice decisions. It would also support the use of economically and ecologically superior native plant species by state agencies, and thereby showcase beneficial native plantings to the public. There is clear evidence that we a losing many native organisms from our ecosystems, and we must act fast to mitigate the loss.

Temple Rodef Shalom is the largest synagogue in Virginia with 1800 families. In recent years we have taken various steps to address climate change and reduce our carbon footprint, both as a faith institution and as individual congregants. We added solar panels to our building and are undertaking a variety of projects to live out our Jewish value of "repairing the world." One area of keen interest in our congregation is native plants and the removal of invasive plants. Our members volunteer at English ivy-pulling sessions in area parks and we have both established a native demonstration garden at the temple, but also have committed significant funds to a restoration project of a natural wooded area on our property that includes a 3- year invasive removal component. I believe the Commonwealth should similarly value these objectives on a state-wide scale and pass legislation like HB1998 and HB2096. It shocks me to no end that one can still walk into a garden store and purchase English Ivy as though it were a benign plant! Case in point, this site for a nursery near me (https://plants.meadowsfarms.com/12170013/Plant/201/English_Ivy/) even suggests uses for English ivy neglecting to note that when this plant grows vertically and produces fruit, birds spread the seed widely, further contaminating wild areas. Virginia needs to follow the lead of so many other states and address the scourge of invasive plants! I'll end on this note- much of the damage invasives are doing isn't always seen as we go about our daily urbanized lives but if you get out along the Potomac River- undoubtedly one of our region's greatest treasures- you will see the horrific blanket of kudzu and English ivy that has

Please support HB 2096. Good for farmers and for the environment, this bill will allow listings of noxious plants without risking prosecution of individuals for incidental movement of noxious plants and seeds. This makes listings easier and it makes educating the public a priority. Installing native plants on state property and requiring tradespeople to inform clients of invasive plants will help educate the public and give a boost to native birds and pollinators that help our local farmers.

Please pass HB2096 to help inform the public about invasive plants, encourage the planting of native plants on government properties and force tradespeople to inform property owners if they are planting invasive species. Invasive species crowd out native ones and do not support bees and other native insects as much as native plants do. It is critically important that we start to limit invasive plants!

I am in favor of this legislation that would authorize the Board of Agriculture to create regulations allowing the incidental movement of particular widespread agricultural weeds without a permit, and so facilitate their listing as noxious weeds, a public awareness benefit.

It is vitally important for the state of Virginia to update and maintain reasonable policies for the management of invasive plant species (noxious weeds). This includes the removal of policies that do not work and replacement with regulations that are effective and can be enforced. Maintaining a list of noxious weeds and updating it as information becomes available is a solid start.

Both of these bills HB 1998 and HB 2096 would be very beneficial to our native Virginia plant species. I hope our legislators will recognize the value of these 2 proposals to help to safe guard our native plants which are very much put at risk with aggressive non-native plants. Not only is our native plants put at great risk but our native insects survival is also endangered which when they fail to survive put are pollinators at risk, then birds and small native animals are also in danger of decline if needed food cannot be found. So like a lot of life it is a chain with one thing linked to and connected to another. These 2 bills need to pass it is a needed protection to Virginia wildlife.

Please pass bills 1998 and 2096 to support the local environment. Invasive species disturb a delicate ecosystem. They tend to crowd out native plants.

These two bills are essential to the betterment of our shared environment. The native plants are part of our natural ecosystem and food chain which sustains life in our commonwealth, and the world.

HB 1811 - Our General Assembly is seriously considering a bill that would allow continuous deer-hunting year round? I am opposed to this bill as our lives are disrupted enough during the app. 2 month season we currently have. I like to walk the rural roads where we live, and the quiet reverie of the early morning is tainted often enough with the sounds of shotgun blasts, the baying of the poor dogs being used to flush out the deer (and this is called "hunting"?), the dogs that run across our "no hunting" property because they go wherever they want, and the pickup trucks barreling down the road trying to get to where the dogs are chasing a deer. Instead of increasing deer season, I would be in favor of reducing it to one month at most. I would also like to see a ban on the use of dogs to hunt deer. It is a disservice to the poor dogs, and I can only imagine the terror the deer must feel as a mass of barking dogs chases them out of their habitat to be shot by someone on the side of the road just waiting for one to come close. Another reason to NOT increase deer season is the amount of roadside litter that accumulates when hunters are out. They apparently have no respect for the anti-littering laws that we have. I have an adopt-a-highway stretch that I walk daily, and the amount of extra trash I collect during hunting season is abhorrent. I can not imagine having to collect that amount all year long. I am OPPOSED to this bill going any further and cannot imagine that any intelligent legislator would be in favor of it. HB 1998 - I am IN FAVOR of this bill as I support the use of Virginia's native plants at homes, businesses, and state agencies. HB 2096 - I am IN FAVOR of this bill as I believe we need to do more to rid Virginia of non-native plants and to plant those native to the Commonwealth.

Having spent many years trying to remove invasive plants from my property , l am in favor of any legislation that eliminates these plants and encourages the use of native plants.

My friends and neighbors and I would very much like an improved public awareness of the benefits of native plantings and the drawbacks of allowing invasive plants to run rampant across the land. People in the trades ought to inform their clients of the installation of invasive plants on their properties and provide property owners the data they need to make informed decisions. State agencies should absolutely be committed to investing in native plant species and showcasing beneficial native plantings to the public.

Urban Wildflowers strongly supports all provisions in the bill to increased public awareness of the problem of invasive plants in the landscape. This bill would authorize the Board of Agriculture to create regulations allowing the "incidental" movement of particular widespread agricultural weeds without a permit, and so facilitate their listing as noxious weeds, which is a public awareness benefit. The provision that tradespeople inform their clients of the installation of invasive plants on their properties provides property owners data they need to make informed plant choice decisions. It will also support the use of economically and ecologically superior native plant species by state agencies, and thereby showcase beneficial native plantings to the public.

I support both HB1998 and HB2096. Both bills provide support for more use of native plants in our state. Use of native plants is crucial to stop and reverse the decline of native insect and bird populations that has occurred in recent decades.

Please pass HB2096. HB2096 would increase public awareness of the problem of invasive plants in the landscape. I particularly like the provision that tradespeople inform their clients of the installation of invasive plants on their properties, which would provide property owners data they need to make informed plant choice decisions.  The bill supports the use of native plant species by state agencies and would help to showcase beneficial native plantings to the public. Please pass HB1998. HB 1998 would prioritize the use of native species on state property. This would improve the health and biodiversity of Virginia’s ecosystem. It would raise awareness about the benefits of native species and could drive broader demand for ecologically-beneficial sustainable landscape methods Native landscapes support beneficial wildlife and can reduce maintenance costs. Sustainable landscapes with native species address stormwater challenges and can help mitigate the effects of climate change and flooding.

I echo the previous points made by members of VNPS and BlueRidge PRISM advocating for passage of this bill. As a landowner of 45 acres in Rockbridge County and 220 acres in Augusta County, and as a Master Gardener volunteer, I have witnessed an explosion of invasive plant species in the past 5-10 years. Please vote YES.

Please pass this important bill. Invasive plants species are having more of a negative impact on our environment than the average person understands, and this bill can help change that and educate the gardening/landscaping when it is passed and enforced. Native plants are critical to keeping Virginia’s gardens and landscapes across the state healthy and beautiful, but without gaining control of invasive species, it is a losing battle.

I strongly support HB2096 and urge that it would include a TOTAL and immediate ban on the sale of invasive plants in the state of Virginia. Invasive plants are a known MAJOR environmental threat to the short and long-term viability of our ecosystems and are aggressively beating out our native plants and greatly reducing our native animal and bird species, that rely on specific native food sources for their existence. This legislation cannot wait.

I am writing to strongly endorse and support your efforts to deny the sales, transportation, propagation, of non-native species of plants in the Commonwealth. You should see how kudzu, English ivy, autumn clematis, miscanthus grass and other escapees from our gardens and yards have wreaked havoc in our woods and roadsides. Not allowing sales of certain plants will arrest further dispersal of unwanted flora. I just wanted you to know. Ted Munns Irvington

Over the past 20 years on the Northern Neck of VA I've watched as English Ivy has brought down large mature oak trees; as Autumn Olive and Privet have sprung up and clogged sensitive shoreline areas and woodlands; as Japanese Honeysuckle repeatedly invades my own property and chokes my native saplings; and as many other commonly used 'noxious weeds' have grabbed footholds and crowded out the native plants that support the local ecosystems. Although I pull, cut and burn invaders, it's more than any single landowner can manage. Please support this bill - The provision that tradespeople inform their clients before the installation of invasive plants on their properties will at least provide plant customers the option to make informed plant choice decisions. I fully support the use of native plants by any government agency managing plantings, to use economically and ecologically superior native plant species to also showcase beneficial native plantings to the public.

I strongly support this bill, and wish it would go further. Invasive plants are a MAJOR environmental problem in my community and in the state. They are a threat to the long-term viability of our ecosystems and are already driving out native plants and reducing numbers of native animal and bird species. As a volunteer Master Naturalist in Fairfax County, I spend many hours in efforts to remove invasive plants from our county, state, and national parks in Virginia as well as on lands managed by the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. Just like bamboo, owners should be held liable when invasive plants from their property, including English ivy, spread into our public parks or onto neighboring property. Plantsellers should be required to label the plants as "invasive" and have a warning note that such plants are known to spread easily and have proven detrimental to native wildlife. Thanks for your consideration.

Please pass these two bills to help increase the use of native plants and help reduce the occurance of noxious weeds in our state. My hope would be a ban on the sale and planting of specific invasive plants. Many Asian, European and African plants that have been introduced and continue to be planted are invading properties all over the state. We all see porcelainberry, English ivy, Asian bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, stiltgrass etc. overcoming forests around the state. This has created a huge social cost. The longer we allow people to plant nonnative plants, the greater the cost to save our native plants and animals. It’s not too late. There are many places that have not been disturbed by development or overuse which still have great native biodiversity. We need legislation to preserve more of those places in addition to limiting more damage with senseless planting of invasive plants. Thanks for passing these bills. Keep working to make Virginia an example that native plant conservation and invasive plant elimination ought to be a bipartisan issue.

Dear Delegates, You seem to have received a number of comments on the Noxious weeds/ invasive plant species House Bill 2096. I grew up next to my family’s generational dairy farm in the northern part of Virginia, worked for local government in 2 states for 20 years, participated as a citizen science volunteer for 15 years, and have been an advocate for strong biodiversity and ecosystem services. What I learned is that politics works in one of three ways- by money, influence, or numbers. I hope the numbers represented here will help sway your options to vote yes for HB 2096. I realize that we constituents are polarized at both the national and statewide level on many issues. The vote before you can be made devise where it is not, it will help sustain hunting, fishing, and agriculture through the limiting of noxious weeds and invasive plants and promoting native plant communities in the between spaces like fence rows, side yards, and fallow land. It is unfortunate that the Commonwealth uses two labels, noxious weeds and invasive plants. I believe the issue is compounded by housing each label in a separate department within state government, VDACS and VDCR-NH, when they are the same issue as this bill proposes. Climate change and United Nation (UN) may not be appropriate to bring up politically, however in the early 1990’s the UN released its Climate Change report. In 2019 the UN’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) released an equally pivotal report as the one in the 1990’s. The IPBES cites noxious weeds and invasive plants as one of the top 5 issues needing to be addressed. There are two versions of this report, the original is 1048 pages, while the media release is shorter and covers the highlights. If you have not heard about the 2019 IPBES report, this seems like the appropriate time to take a look. This is a link to the IPBES Media Release version of the report - https://ipbes.net/news/Media-Release-Global-Assessment . Please do not wait to weigh in on this issue until after you leave office as John Warner has done with climate change. Vote for HB 2096.

Look around and it is easy to see the environmental destruction caused by non-native invasive species. Entire fields clogged with autumn olive and Bradford pear are environmental wastelands for instance. Buildings and trees compromised from English Ivy. Wetlands smothered with purple loosestrife. These species and others push out native plants and native animals and everything -- including humans -- suffers. We lose beneficial insects that provide important pollination to our farmer's crops and orchards, and we lose all the animals that depend on the insects as one moves up the food chain. Native plants, rather than non-natives, are also easier to maintain meaning we have better protection of our precious water supplies not only because less water is needed, but also because pesticides and herbicides aren't needed to make sure those invasives survive. Finally, this bill makes economic sense, especially to farmers who can't even use those fields clogged with invasive shrubs or who must turn to chemicals to rid their land of Johnson grass or Japanese honeysuckle! Finally, pairing native pollinator plants with large and small solar arrays provides a double bonus of green energy with protection of the soil and water under and around those arrays. Thanks for thinking about all Virginians and the environment that sustains us all. Sincerely, Nancy Sorrells (editor of the Virginia Native Plant Society newsletter), Greenville, VA

Communities that understand their past can better deal with the present and future. Protecting our historic resources helps make that happen, but unless resources are available to help do this, the path of least resistence is to destroy the old and make way for the new. Help preserve the stories and heritage of the wonderful people in the Commonwealth. We must work together to preserve the past for the future. Sincerely, Nancy Sorrells (historian and writer), Greenville, VA

You don't have to travel far to see examples of invasive plant species taking over vast areas; honeysuckle\english ivy\Japanese knotweed\garlic mustard. I support this legislation on behalf of VNPS.

Take a walk through woodland here in Fairfax County and you’ll see English Ivy crawling up the tree trunks, completely smothering trees….you’ll see dead trees covered with the bright green of ivy, dead trees that will soon topple over. It’s a plant that’s incredibly difficult to eradicate. I see it more and more in my walks. My own property backs onto a wooded lot and I was horrified to see the green of ivy this year in the winter landscape. I’ve started pulling it out. This highly invasive plant is a significant threat to our parklands, open spaces and a threat to our own properties from neighbors unaware or unwilling to control it. My own neighbor has ivy on our adjoining property line but he refuses to do anything about it. I’ve seen a property in Burke where the entire backyard, tree trunks and trees were covered in ivy and the homeowners put up a wooden stockade fence around the entire garden to separate their house and a tiny strip of lawn from the ivy onslaught!! This issue desperately needs attention!! Please regulate the sale of English ivy and other invasive plants. Thank you. Gerianne Basden Springfield, Va

HB1998 | Krizek | Native plant species; state agencies to prioritize use on state properties. I am in full support of HB1998 . Native Plant species on state properties is highly beneficial and practical in many aspects. Native plants require little to no maintenance saving the state million on water, fertilizer, and up keep. They are a life source for struggling wildlife and pollinators for food and shelter whose native resources are being taken over by "ornamental" foreign species that in most cases have become invasive. Native plants on state properties will also provide substantial exposure opportunities for educating the general public on the importance of incorporating natives into their home landscapes. HB2096 | Bulova | Noxious weeds; invasive plant species. I fully support HB2096 putting limits and bans on invasive species is critical to the health of our ecosystem. The damage that invasive noxious species causes to our properties costly. Many home owners have to cut down old growth hardwood prematurely due to English ivy and damage. Most people think that if the stores sell a plant then it could not be harmful only to realize it's harmful and costly consequences later. We have spent thousands of dollars in invasive species related costs just on our small suburban lot and we still have to spend thousands more to complete the responsible restoration of our yard.

I support both HB1998 and HB2096 to help control the impact of invasive plant species and support the use of native plants in Virginia. An avid home gardener, I have become more aware of the importance of native plants to our ecosystem over the last five years and I see how much invasive species can overwhelm different areas, and are marketed toward consumers despite their negative impact. I have been successful in my own garden spaces in moving towards more natives and identifying and removing invasive, and I support any efforts to increase public awareness of these issues, not only among home gardeners but in public landscaping as well.

Please support the prioritization of native plant species in state landscaping, such as along highways and in parks, and make it easier to remove invasive plant species. These measures will help to increase native wildlife such as birds, bees, and butterflies. It is also vital that plant nurseries notify homeowners when they are planting invasive species, which crowd out native species. Thank you.

We need to tackle this problem now, not later. Invasives are a growing problem and continuing to sell these plants to the general public who are unaware of the dangers is ridiculous. Please act in the best interest of all Virginians. Thank you.

It really is a battle, to fight back invasive species. I am one of many who spends so much of my free time working on removing invasive plants. Please help Virginia, whose trees are being pulled down by vines and replaced with plants that wildlife can't eat or benefit by..

I strongly support HB2096 to remove invasive species. We must protect Virginia native species in order to protect biodiversity, which is essential to the survival of the human species. I also strongly support educating our landscapers and the general public about the urgent need to plant more Native species. We are losing pollinators at an alarming rate. We are losing trees. Wildlife is suffering. This is an easy solution that all of us can participate in. Remove invasive plants and replace them with natives. Simple. Let's do it. Let's save our biodiversity.

Please support this bill which will protect all Virginia's Natural Heritage from invasive plants.

SUPPORT NATIVE PLANTS AND REDUCE THE THREAT OF INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN VIRGINIA

Invasive plants are wreaking havoc on our ntive plants. You have only to drive along any roadside or highway in the Spring to see all the invasive Bradford Pears in bloom. Sure they look pretty for a week or so but they stink and they crowd out all other native plants. English Ivy is also killing mature trees. The Oriental Bittersweet vines are killing mature native trees everywhere. Then there's the multiflora rose, barberry & Japanese Honeysuckle not to mention Stlit grass. All of the plants proven to be invasive ( those that will not stay where planted) must be removed from sales as soon as possible. My husband & I have spent years battling invasives on our property and I shutter to think people are still buying and planting some of these. Thank you for your consideration

I strongly support the use of native plants whenever and wherever practicable. At the same time, invasive plants are becoming an overwhelming nuisance in our area. Invasive such as oriental bittersweet, autumn olive and Japanese honeysuckle are overwhelming, the native wildlife habitat on my land near Hume, Virginia. Most invasive serve, no important purpose other than to look nice in someone’s yard or garden. But as invasive as they escape and devastate native landscapes.

I highly support both bills. The more that the Virginia government can set a good example in planting native species and condemning invasive species and noxious weeds, the better for the Commonwealth. Native species are essential supports for the functioning of entire ecosystems, while many invasives are overwhelming both public and private lands.

I own 67 acres in Rockbridge County. My neighbor logged and now I spend hours and resources killing the tree-of-heaven that sprang up in the logged area. This is on top of managing autumn olive, bradford pears, burning bush and other invasive plants showing up now on my property. I am astonished by the quick spread of bradford pears and other invasive landscaping plants. My nearest neighbor is one mile away. The beauty and wildlife remaining in the undeveloped areas of our State are being sorely degraded by invasive plants and insects. Please stop the spread.

I support this bill. There is an urgent need to prevent invasive species from taking over our state land.

Invasive plants have cost my family thousands of dollars as we have worked to fight them and remove them from our landscape in order to create better habitat and healthier land.

I am asking you to support this bill to help battle the curse of invasive species. I have 14 acres in Giles County where I am trying to increase biodiversity. The invasives - especially Japanese barberry, multiflora roses, autumn olives, and honeysuckle - are a absolute plague. It's an ongoing struggle that costs hours and dollars to fight and consequently means less time and money I can spend for native plants. Years ago, when I bought the property, I unwittingly planted a couple of Bradford pears and miscanthus grasses - neither labeled as invasive, both are and required removal (and the miscanthus seeded around and I'm still digging out its offspring. All these invasives choke out native species that are needed to sustain our native wildlife.

I urge support for a bill by Delegate David Bulova to require the creation of an invasive plant species list. The bill also includes a right-to-know provision, meaning that consumers (US!) would have to be informed by landscapers, installers, and tradespeople when invasive plants are proposed for installation on our properties. We must take steps to reduce the spread of invasive plants, as they threaten ecosystems and native plants.

I strongly support this bill. I can personally see the effects of noxious and invasive plants on my property. Their use and spread need to be controlled.

Farmers, Foresters and Naturalist are spending resources removing invasive plants that are still being sold in the Horticultural industry. These plants will be a burden for years to come. Throughout the state of Virginia many people volunteer to remove these plants from public and private lands. We need action to warn people about using these plants on their properties. We need the state property to reflect best practices by no longer planting invasive plants. Invasive plants are non-native plants that cause harm to native habitats. My husband and I spend 4 to 10 hours per week removing invasive plants on private and public property year round. Many thousands of citizens across the state are working on this issue in our communities. We need your support to address this issue. Thank you, Beth Umberger Christiansburg, Virginia

The Friends of Accotink Creek strongly support HB2096. It truly is "our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice", to quote an earlier comment. The relentless advance of invasive exotic plant species is turning Virginia's natural habitats into something worthy of a horror movie. Anything we can do to prevent further spread must be done. If only we could enact a law to remove the exotic invasives already present across our Commonwealth, which will plague us in perpetuity.

Invasive species have overtaken many of the woodlands of Northern Virginia, choking out native flora. This bill needs to be enacted to restore an ecological balance to our local environment.

Any further restraints on invasive species and/or noxious weeds are good for the commonwealth. I work in natural resource management for the state and can vouch that I spend hundreds of hours a year removing and treating invasive species. Quelling their presence whether through educating landowners on how to remove or avoid invasives, or by creating constraints to their sale would save the state thousands of dollars and prevent harmful pesticides from entering our environment.

Please pass this bill to help fight invasive species in Virginia! This is a win-win for all Virginians. It does not prohibit those who insist on planting invasives from doing so, but it will educate the well-meaning, and help more people understand how invasives are harming our beautiful, beloved Virginia.

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

Dear Delegates Krizek and Bulova, I have been working for over 30 year to increase the use of native plants in Northern Virginia. I fully support Delegate Krizek's efforts to pass HB 1998. His proposal goes hand-in-hand with the need to rid our lands of noxious weeds and invasive plants as proposed by Delegate Bulova in HB2096. Both bills are critical if we and to turn around our significant losses of vital insect life and the plants that nurture those insects For example, we must decrease the amount of English Ivy that has escaped private properties and invaded our and state public lands. This invasive creates weight and wind resistance in our trees -- weight and resistance the tree is not equipped to handle. As a result, the trees are more likely to be uprooted in the strong storms we are experiencing. As invasives are removed, they need to be replaced by desirable plants that help feed and protect the insects that pollinate our trees and plants and also feed young birds. Both bill are key to the circle of life that has been severely compromised. Please keep me informed about progress of your proposed legislation. Thank you. Sincerely, Eleanor F. Quigley

THIS LEGISLATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CREATE AWARENESS AND THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO DETER THE SALE OF AND THE USE OF INVASIVE PLANTS IN PUBLIC AREAS. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL ALLOW THE CONSUMERS TO BE REDIRECTED TO THE USE OF NATIVE PLANTS WHICH ARE BENEFICIAL TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND CRUCIAL TO CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE ECOLOGY FOR OUR STATE.

The movement, transportation, delivery, shipment, or offering for shipment of any noxious weed must remain prohibited for any reason unless for scientific purposes. Invasive plants and noxious weeds outcompete native plants, decrease biodiversity, and cause economic losses for farmers, and decrease the productivity of our forests. There is no justifiable reason for non-native plants to be sold or moved in anyway within the Commonwealth.

Invasive vines are killing what’s left of the Eastern Woodlands in NoVA. Trees capture carbon and create oxygen so humans can breathe. Strangling the trees strangles all of us. Please get invasive vines out of the Virginia woodlands!

The Virginia Native Plant Society, a conservation organization of 2500 members, supports HB2096 and urges the members of the subcommittee to vote in favor of this bill and send it to the full committee. Invasive plant species are a serious economic and ecological issue for the Commonwealth, and this bill is a step forward in addressing the problem. Tom Smith will be presenting oral testimony on behalf of the VNPS. Nancy Vehrs President Virginia Native Plant Society www.vnps.org

I am in favor of this bill if it will make the regulation of invasive species easier in Virginia. Invasive plants and animals cost the Commonwealth millions of dollars each year and wreak untold havoc on natural ecosystems. I do have reservations about a line in the definitions section of the bill: "'Noxious weed' means any living plant, or part thereof, declared by the Board through regulations under this chapter to be detrimental to crops, surface waters, including lakes, or other desirable plants, livestock, land, or other property, or to be injurious to public health, the environment, or the economy, except when in-state production of such living plant, or part thereof, is commercially viable or such living plant is commercially propagated in Virginia." The last phrase, "except when in-state production of such living plant, or part thereof, is commercially viable or such living plant is commercially propagated in Virginia," is very concerning. Many plants that are commercially propagated and sold for landscaping are invasive in natural areas and cause serious problems. There should not be exceptions for these plants just because someone makes money off them. Thank you for your attention. Gael Chaney

Please vote for and report to the House of Delegates HR2096, Del. Bulova's bill addressing invasive plants. Virginia's regulatory system for classifying and discouraging the sale and use of invasive plants is cumbersome and largely ineffective. Given the serious declines in many wildlife populations, like insects and birds, Virginia should be redoubling its efforts to curtail invasive plants and to restore native biodiversity. The list of invasive plants prepared by the Department of Conservation and Recreation is a good start on a comprehensive list. Requiring the trade to inform property owners of which plants are invasives can help the industry and prospective purchasers make wiser choices and expand the planting of valuable native plants. State agencies can set a good example by planting only native plants. Virginia's legislative and executive branch leaders should make a strong commitment to restoring the state's ecological health. This bill, as well as HB491 and HB1998 would be productive steps toward that goal.

I support this effort to curtail the spread of invasive plant species

Yes, we need to identify, track and inform the public about nonnative invasive plants. They contribute NOTHING to our ecosystems, and actually harm them by blanketing the ground trees, and every other surface they can crawl on. We need to get back to natives, ASAP. The situation is getting out of control, and the sooner we act, the more chances we will have to slow it down and even reverse it.

Years ago, I took a university course, Plant Materials for Landscape Use. I learned a great deal and prided myself on my growing horticulture knowledge. However, in the past several decades, with my involvement with VA Native Plant Society, local Bird Clubs, VA Butterfly Society, VA Bluebird Society, and Virginia Master Naturalists, I've learned how local flora and fauna have evolved together. Flowers bloom at the right time to offer nectar, seeds feed and are spread by their consumers, and every niche fills a need. But when alien and invasive plants are brought in, they create a food desert. Locals did not evolve along with them so they nourish nothing. They spread invasively commandeering real estate previously occupied by locals. They out-compete natives for space and light, encroaching steadily....sometimes even smothering or strangling natives in the process. (ie Kudzu, English Ivy, Japanese Honeysuckle). Every step we can take to assist land owners with up-to-date knowledge in this area will benefit us all.

We spend many hours each year combating invasive plants on our farm. We ask you to support measures that reduce the introduction and spread of invasive plants, and support efforts to reduce invasive plant impacts on our farms and communities.

I urge you to support HB 2096 to require the creation of an invasive plant species list and a right-to-know provision that would require consumers to be informed by landscapers, installers, and tradespeople when invasive plants are proposed for installation on our properties. Invasive species in my neighborhood increasingly mar the beauty of our natural landscape, despite the efforts of myself and others to limit their spread. It is especially discouraging to see plants like winter creeper and English ivy installed in wooded areas, posing a threaten to the trees our Franklin Forest neighborhood considers part of our identity. Planting Invasive species also comes at the expense of planting native plants that world provide food and shelter for the birds, small mammals and lightning bugs and the insect larvae that feed them, robbing us of the value of those elements of the natural world that we value so much. This bill focuses on providing the information that will let people make wise decisions about their landscaping. It does not dictate what they can choose, only that they have the information to make descisions that will promote a healthy, sustainable, and beautiful neighborhood. I urge you to put the weight of your support behind this important effort and pass HV2096. Frances Louise Marshall

This is so important and necessary. Landscapers and builders absolutely are experts in plants and are responsible for the plantings, but go with cheap and easy,. They do not educate the homeowners as to the long term impacts of these plantings.

Invasive species are early succession species. After a timber harvest permits light through the canopy, invasives can quickly make forest land impassible and greatly impair forest regeneration. Seven years ago our farm permitted a thinning cut of 50 acres of mountain land. The crush of Multiflora Rose, Wineberry, Ailanthus, Japanese Stilt Grass is overwhelming. The amount of income generated is not worth the long term damage to the forest. Funds need to be allocated to remediate the spread of invasives caused by timbering.

Listing invasive plants and requiring permission or restricting bringing them into the Commonwealth makes sense to me. At the Sunnyside Retirement Community we know how hard it is to get rid of the tree of heaven and autumn olives that are displacing preferred native plants, and after a group of residents have worked at it for a couple years we know we will have to continue the work for years if we are ever to succeed in restoring the areas where the tree of heaven especially has been from continued infestation.

Invasive plants have wreaked havoc in our natural areas and contributed to the decimation of biodiversity on public and private lands. Putting legislation in place to curb the sale and distribution of invasive plants is a key step in reducing the harm they’ve caused and mitigating future damage to our environment. We must have an up to date list of invasive plants and the public must have access to information regarding invasive plants being planted on their property so that they understand the future impact these plantings. I urge you to support HB 2096.

I support this bill as someone who cares about stopping (or at least slowing) climate change. Stopping the use of invasive plant species means that our native plants can flourish throughout Virginia, keeping forests and other land and soil healthier.

I wholeheartedly support the bill to control invasive species. Our parks and roads are being destroyed by invasive species, which are killing our trees and replacing native plants. In order to reverse the loss of biodiversity in Virginia, we must get rid of invasives, who have no natural enemies, so that native species have a chance to survive. I regularly volunteer to remove invasives in McLean Parks and we will never bring back our parks and road to their natural state unless specific invasives are banned. There are plenty of beautiful natives that people can plant instead of exotic plants. Thank you

I am a resident and owner of 8 acres. I am an avid outdoors person and enjoy being a part of nature. I am all too aware of the presence of invasive species, what you are calling a noxious weed, in my town and county. These plants take over, spread rapidly, and displace the native plants that our insects and animals depend on. The food and reproductive cycle is disrupted when the native plants are bullied and beaten by invasive species. Please, please, please do not allow any bill that will make it easier for these invasive plants to spread! The companies and those that work for them should be responsible stewards of the land and not do what is easier and more profitable, without concern for their actions. I ask you to help our forests, they need your help. Thank you.

I support HB 1984, 1985, and 2000. I OPPOSE HB 1406. If I understand HB 2096 correctly, does Delegate Bulova wish to make it easier to transport some noxious weeds just because they're commercially desirable? I do support efforts to keep track of invasive plants. What I don't support is offering any leeway on invasive plants. I oppose HB 1527 because it was drafted without the input of any of the members of the state-mandated Free-Roaming Cat Stakeholder Working Group, which just completed 18 months of work to find solutions to the harm that the estimated 1.2 million unowned cats in Virginia cause to birds and small animals and the public health risks they create. H.B. 1527 addresses only one aspect of a complex problem. It fails to take into account the issues that the Working Group has spent months addressing, including: the need for multiple strategies to reduce the population of free-roaming cats, the importance of not releasing trapped cats back to the environment without the consent of the affected property owner, the need for standards and training for people who feed unowned cats to reduce the risks to wildlife, the importance of public education campaigns to address the abandonment of cats, and the need for research on the best ways to address the free-roaming cat problem.

My family owns 580 acres in southern Albemarle. Though we work at keeping species at bay, much of the land is covered with wine berries, Japanese spirea, Japanese barberry, multaflora rose, garlic mustard, Nepalese stilt grass, and more. These invasive plants and noxious weeds displace native plants which are suited to and provide food for our native animals and birds I support HB 2096 and urge you to vote for it. Paula Mehring

I urge the passage of this bill as a step in the right direction to protect Virginia plant and animal species. They are inexorably bound. We can do more individually but only you guys can work on the collective actions. Keep it up. Angela Lewis Angelalewis02@hotmail.com

I own approximately 865 acres in King William and Middlesex Counties. Most of my acreage is wooded which I manage for timber production and wildlife conservation. I have participated with several programs with USDA/NRCS and the Virginia Department of Forestry for Wildlife Conservation and Quail Restoration. I work closely with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation with my Conservation Easement. I am also a certified Virginia Master Naturalist and work with Oyster Restoration, Clean the Bay and urban forestry. Both my pine plantation in King William and my hardwoods in Middlesex have a number of non-native invasive species: Ailanthus, Mimosa, Autumn Olive, Chinese Wisteria, Wineberry, and Japanese Stiltgrass. My Middlesex farm was colonized in the mid-1600’s so there is a large infestation of English Ivy that is threatening forest health. A fair amount of my time and resources are spent fighting these invasives. I am currently enrolled with a program with USDA/NRCS that offers some assistance with brush management of the Autumn Olive. Some of this requires additional equipment which I would otherwise not need. I spent ten hours hand treating the Johnson Grass in my hayfield. As you may know, many of these species were intentionally introduced. A few were escaped as part of shipping and other activities. Recently my neighbors decided to plant Bradford Pears. Consequently, I now have a Bradford Pear infestation on my property. All of these non-invasive species threaten our native plants and disturb the balance of wildlife habitat. The list of non-native invasive species has increased since plants like the Bradford Pear get introduced by local suppliers like Lowe’s and Home Depot. People unknowingly purchase these noxious plants from these stores, not realizing that they are contributing to the problem. I support this bill and any legislature that would prohibit the sales and transportation of these noxious and invasive species.

I support bill HB 2096. As a US-born American citizen, I feel a wealth of gratitude for the freedoms I'm privileged to enjoy. Taking care of the land that I live on is an honor. This bill would provide an opportunity for US government and citizens to acknowledge and honor that privilege with wisdom and responsibility, educate ourselves on how to care well for the land we live on, to enjoy our freedoms in sustainable ways, and to help ensure that there is adequate land and life for future generations to enjoy and care for.

Please support this bill. I’m a gardener and a nature lover. It’s becoming more and more distressing to see how invasive plants are overpowering areas of our commonwealth. And yet there they are being sold by greenhouses, with no alerts to consumers about their growth habits. Minimally, aggressive and invasive plants should have warning labels. And It makes no sense to me to allow the continued sale of invasive plants when so much time, energy, and money are spent annually for their removal. Please support this bill!

I am the owner of a garden consultation service, advising homeowners and public entities about suitable plants for their landscape. I strongly support this bill. I have seen the devastation caused by invasive plants installed in landscaping. I have spent years removing them on my property and have volunteered my time to help remove them from public spaces. The public is increasingly aware of the dangers of invasive plants and the need for more native plants. Any landscaper who believes that an invasive plant is necessary for a landscape design should be required to explain to the client the dangers imposed by that plant. I strongly believe the Commonwealth must transition to prohibiting the sale and planting of all invasive plants. There are so many suitable plants -- native and non-harmful imported plants -- that it is inexcusable that the Commonwealth allows invasive plant to be sold and installed. I ask this Committee to take this important step in that direction. Thank you.

I am STRONGLY in favor of this bill. This is simply giving consumers more information so that they can make better decisions. This bill is both pro-environment and pro-free market. I strongly urge passage of this bill.

My husband and I have spent years battling invasive plants on our property. That list includes; Bradford Pear, English Ivy, Nadina, Barberry, Bittersweet, Ailanthus, and more. The thought that these plants are still being sold in nurseries astounds me. They do not stay where planted! That how they earn the Invasive designation. Our trees are in serious trouble and they are so needed to help sequester Co2 and provide shade and erosion control etc. Please look very seriously at this issue and give the "Weed Warriors" a hand by at least making it illegal to sell these invasive plants. Thank you for your considerations

We thank Blue Ridge Prism for making us aware of this bill. We strongly support the steps that will be taken here, and more steps in the future. Virginia needs to get smart about the threat of invasive plant species, and the criticality of fostering native species. Thank you.

Dear Representative Bulova and Members of Agriculture Agriculture Subcommittee, I write to support passage of HB-2096. I own 16 acres in Clarke county, which is being overrun by invasive exotic species. The only dependable natives are the trees, which for the present, have grown above the smaller honeysuckle and buckthorn. However, without my attentions, even the trees will be covered and killed by oriental bittersweet and English Ivy. Tree of Heaven and Evodia will then be the only species that can thrive, here. I have just about (but not quite) given up on the Japanese stiltgrass, which has taken over 75% of the four acres of mowed grass. Were I not retired from employment, I would have no time to labor against this wave of biologically anomalous plants. My property provides habitat for native species, in addition to providing space for recreation and hunting. It is an island for native animals and birds in a surrounding landscape of hundreds of acres of agricultural land used for corn, soy, hay, and wheat. Having my land, providing native species access to both a structured "natural" community for their shelter, feeding, and reproduction in a space largely devoted to Virginia's heritage activities of farming, horse activities, gardening, etc., is a value that is important to me as a citizen of Virginia. As a Ph.D. in biology, I appreciate the importance of stands of native vegetation in such landscapes. This bill provides a sensible framework for Virginia's government to work with farmers, loggers, and landowners to control the spread of invasive exotic species. It provides hope of restraining the nursery and landscaping trades from pushing invasive exotic species into previously isolated areas, while promoting their use of very attractive and functional native plant species. I request that you support this bill and work for its eventual passage. Respectfully, James Rieger, Ph.D. (540) 539-4792

I would like to support this bill that will make others aware of invasive species killing our urban forests. Let's help educate those public and private entities that can help protect the little environment we are being left with since the massive build up of housing and highways are destroying the urban forest and its habitats.

I support Del Bulova's HB 2096. Sales of all ALL invasive plants should be banned. When will good sense prevail over greed? Maybe never. But this bill is a very small step in the right direction in that it prohibits any state agency from buying, planting, or propagating invasive plants. (We have about 100 state agencies. Which ones would have been buying invasive plants?) So the state will lead by example. Hopefully counties and towns will follow. It's difficult to ban sales of invasives. In Maryland, a state that requires all garden centers to post notices beside any displays of invasive plants, has only managed to ban one popular garden plant - the tree killing winter creeper. A good clause in the bill is that builders must notify property owners if they include any invasive plants in their landscaping . This will serve to educate the development community as well as prevent the planting of invasives on new projects. (I wonder what invasives were being planted in this case. Maybe another comment will answer this.) The last clause is my favorite: That the Virginia Invasive Species Working Group prepare a budget request for the 2024 Session of the General Assembly to support full implementation of its existing Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan.

COMMENTS SUBMITTED ON HB 2096 January 17, 2023 Jim Hurley The overall thrust of HB 2096 is to strengthen public education and awareness concerning invasive plants and their impact on the landscape. The bill does not impose any burdens on Virginia plant nurseries and retailers, and in one provision actually reduces regulatory requirements. Please support it. The first provision addressing permits required to move a noxious weed, will authorize the Board of Agriculture to exempt farmers and loggers from obtaining a permit for the incidental movement widespread weeds of fields and forests. This can be called the “bale of hay” issue, which has prevented listing as noxious weeds pernicious plants such as Japanese Stiltgrass and Perilla Mint, infestations widely despised by agricultural operators that degrade their crops. This provision will allow the Board of Agriculture to list such plants as noxious weeds, without burdening agricultural operators, and so provide broader dissemination of important information on these plants. The second provision concerning the Virginia Invasive Species List, requires the Department of Conservation and Recreation to update the current list by 2024 and every four years thereafter. The current list has not been updated in ten years, and there are a number of troublesome species that need to be considered for listing. This list, in addition to the Noxious Weeds List, is a prime source of information on harmful plants to the public, as well as professionals. The benefit of the third provision prohibiting the use of invasive plants by State agencies is primarily ecological, and secondarily educational. We certainly do not want State agencies to degrade the lands that they steward with the very plants that the Department of Conservation and Recreation has already found, through a scientific methodology, to be harmfully invasive. And, State agencies can model and showcase good ecological practices to the public by using Virginia natives in their plantings. The provision requiring tradespersons to notify property owners that they intend to plant an invasive species on their property, gives that homeowner or client what they need to make a free and informed choice of what to plant, and perhaps choose to avoid long-term costs from the spread and escape of invasive plants that they would otherwise be unaware of. When they are informed, and the invasive plant problem explained, most property owners are surprised and aghast, asking, “Why is that plant allowed to be sold in Virginia?!” The horticultural industry has challenged supporters of Virginia native plants to grow the market for these natives, rather than focus on regulating the invasives that they are selling. This provision will do just that. Lastly, the provision requiring the Invasive Species Working Group to develop a budget to fully fund the Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan, will generate critical information for the public, the Legislature and the Administration, on what it will take to effectively address the plague of invasive plants infesting our landscapes. This data can then inform discussions of what is financially feasible. I urge you to support this legislation. Thank you.

Dear Delegates, Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration of HB 2096. I ask you to support this bill. Below are just a few of the ways that invasive plants have impacted me personally, and my community. I live in Fairfax County on a 1.3 acre wooded property, in the beloved Franklin Park neighborhood of McLean, known locally as an "urban forest." On our property I have spent hundreds of hours over the last two years battling invasive plants to protect our old growth trees, several of which have succumbed to damage from invasive vines sold in the retail trade, such as English ivy, Wintercreeper, and Japanese wisteria. Other invasive plants found in our woods such as Vinca, Japanese barberry, Chinese privet, Burning bush, Bush honeysuckle, Linden arrowwood, Oriental bittersweet, Porcelain berry, and more are damaging the forest and inhibiting its ability to regenerate. None of these plants, aside from Vinca (planted by the former owner), were intentionally planted here. Most arrived as escapees from nearby landscaping. A group of concerned neighbors has formed the Urban Forest Alliance https://www.urbanforestalliance.org to help save the tree canopy and educate our community about the damage done by invasive species. We host work days to remove invasive plants from public land at the entrances to our neighborhood. We initiated a tracking project using the iNaturalist website (https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/14708?sort=default&view=card), where you can see just a small sample of how prevalent these invasives have become in our area. I also volunteer to remove invasives from our county parks through the Fairfax County Invasives Management Area program and Earth Sangha. The devastation caused by invasive plants in our local parks is enough to make you cry. I am an avid hiker and for over a decade enjoyed weekend hikes at Potomac Overlook and Donaldson Run in Arlington. After I learned to identify invasive plants, I realized that they were rapidly overwhelming and destroying the very forest I loved. Once you see it, you cannot un-see it. I can no longer bring myself to visit these parks; the sadness is too overwhelming and prohibits me from relaxing and enjoying them. As you are aware, infill development is rapidly increasing in northern Virginia, and new housing developments continue to sprout up across the state. Over and over again, I see these new homes being landscaped with plants that are currently listed on the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List, then sold to unaware homeowners, who do not realize the long term liability and damage these plants will cause to our wildlife and our forests. Last summer I invited a journalist to join me at McLean Central Park to witness the devastation caused by invasive plants that have escaped nearby landscaping. You can read her article and see the photos here: https://www.ffxnow.com/2022/08/16/fairfax-county-volunteers-petition-urging-home-depot-to-stop-sales-of-invasive-plants-takes-root/ There is not enough time, money, and energy to eradicate all of these invasive plants that have escaped people’s gardens and are damaging our farms and forests, and hurting our economy. By supporting HB 2096, you can help stop this at the source. Yours very truly, Lauren Taylor

Addressing invasive species has become critical to the prevention of insect collapse on a massive scale. People’s whole properties are being taken over by kudzu and stilt grass. Russia Olive is growing out of control along our roadways. This is actually an urgent issue. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I support HB 2096. It will ensure that people buying plants or making landscaping plans will know if a given plant will be detrimental to them, their neighbors and beyond. It pains me to see hundreds of Bradford pear trees, autumn olive or barberry shrubs growing on untended (wild) properties. Their seeds are being carried everywhere by birds. This means our native plants, which our wildlife rely on, are being crowded out and killed by these aggressive spreaders. The ultimate impact is loss of food and hosts for our beloved native insects and wildlife. Because they evolved over millenia to rely on the plants being crowded out, they too will suffer or be lost. I urge you to support HB 2096 to reduce these losses.

I support HB 2096 because it will help us stop the spread of invasive plants in Virginia. Once you learn to recognize invasive plants, you see them everywhere. They are taking over our landscape and crowding out native plants. Our native insects can't survive without native plants, and our food web and ecological systems can't survive without native insects. Therefore, we need to protect our native plants. Various scientific organizations report that we are in the midst of a global mass extinction event. One big reason is thought to be habitat loss. So, we need to take extra good care of our open land. We need to keep our un-built land free of invasive plants and full of native trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers. This will allow our wild creatures to survive on the land that remains for them. Please support HB 2096. It's a commonsense response to a serious problem.

The fact that there is no legislation to “by-any-means-necessary” prevent invasive species from devastating the extraordinary native plants of Virginia would startle our citizens if they knew it. Most citizens of Virginia are unaware of this neglect. What are we thinking? We are allowing invasives to consume the reasons tourists come to Virginia. Our wild flowers are legend! The largest estuary in the Nation…the Chesapeake Bay…is impacted by non-native plants. Carefully cultivated plants that serve as specimens at our state parks suffer from invasive species proliferation. As I pulled weeds at Sky Meadows State Park…knowing there was no legislative guarantee I had any preventative help from the state of Virginia…I was dispirited. When I told summer campers at our State Arboretum how extremely important our native plants are to our insect population, I knew those kids’ would never understand why governing adults had never, ever indicated a similar concern. It is time to wake up! Wake up so we can smell the Flox! Pass this bill!

I write to express my strongest support for two House bills, HB 2096, Noxious Weeds and invasive plant species, and HB1998 Native Plant Species: state agencies to prioritize use on state properties. HB 2096 addresses a needed change in current law about transporting any noxious weed into or within the Commonwealth. It is intended to provide relief to loggers and farmers transporting incidental noxious weeds. It also will direct the Department of Conservation and Recreation to update their invasive plant species list at least quadrennially. HB 1998 encouraging the use of native plants on state properties. Re. HB 2096, invasive species are becoming more and more common around the Commonwealth, degrading natural areas as well as farms and developed properties. I am very concerned about the increasing incidence of these plants that damage native plants and degrade our beautiful forests, parks, farms, and personal and business properties. Please vote yes on this bill to pass it out of committee for consideration by the legislature. Re. HB 1998, increasing and prioritizing the use of native plants on state properties, will highlight the value of native plants in our landscapes, they are beautiful, durable and adapted to the areas where they will be planted, and they will nourish our important pollinators. Please vote yes on this bill to pass it out of committee for consideration by the legislature. Thank you.

I support this bill as a first step. Frankly I think that banning the sale of all or most invasive specifies would be even more beneficial. But, hopefully, when consumers are informed by landscapers or gardeners that the plants to be installed are invasive they will decide to make alternative selections and hopefully native ones. I fear, however, that disclosures might be downplayed by the giver or not given at all and enforcement will be difficult. Right now our trees, wood lots and forests are being threatened and killed by invasive species. For example, one can see English Ivy killing trees everywhere. Mature trees are one of our best assets in fighting climate change. We cannot afford to have these significant sequesters of carbon dioxide killed by thoughtless plantings of invasives. And mature trees provide many other substantial benefits. We cannot afford to lose trees to invasives. Please include a provision in your bill that evaluates whether the sale of invasive species declines after some reasonable period rolling the bill’s enactment. If not, please do more and ban them. Thank you.

HB2096 - Please keep the provision. Virginia doesn't need to have more weeds. We need to encourage our own natural flora and fauna. HB2123 - this is a great idea! Doing small farms, people would be able to share not just what they grow but earn something enough to pay for what they loved doing. Pickles are actually a big deal at some of the shows/functions I've been at. Great idea!

I’m writing to support HB 2096 Noxious weeds; invasive plant species, introduced by Delegate David Bulova. At this time, non-native noxious weeds are obliterating any open area such as along our roadsides, invading our parks, our common areas, and our yards. Anywhere in the landscape! Noxious weeds are usually non-native plants, trees, thickets, and vines that are destroying our forests. They are driving out our native flora plus the native fauna that evolved with our native trees etc. First the noxious vines attack our trees, strangling them and growing up to cover over the tree canopy, depriving the trees of light. The weight of these aggressive vines bring down trees, as the vines continue to spread. These noxious vines can bring down entire forests! Below the struggling trees — noxious aggressive weed vines cover the forest floor, noxious weed thickets bristle with thorny prickles, noxious weed shrubs fill in any open spaces, and noxious Asian grasses and short weeds cover any remaining space. And when the native trees have been toppled over, the noxious Asian trees move it, growing fast to fill in any available area. The horror is that many of these noxious weeds are still for sale at garden centers, where they are bought by unsuspecting homeowners who plant them in their yards! Currently volunteers band together to “save our trees.” The scope of the noxious weed invasion is so vast and profound that our volunteers can only save few. This cannot continue to go on if we hope to conserve any of our remaining native trees and plants. We must enable better control over these foreign noxious weeds. Because our native fauna depend on our native plants for their survival, we are currently allowing our native fauna and flora to die off. Do we really want that? Do you want to live in an area without our native wildlife? Without our native songbirds, lightning bugs, butterflies, caterpillars that help sustain the fledging chicks, bluebirds, hummingbirds, bees, frogs, tree toads, and all the wonder of creation with which God has surrounded us? We need to act now to control the spread of noxious weeds and invasive species that are obliterating our landscape. Please vote yes on HB 2096 Noxious weeds; invasive plant species.

It is critically important that foreign invasive species be listed as noxious species. There are a number of ways that invasive species are impacting our property. We have horses she every year we have to combat invasive invasive species that could poison our horses and that are also negatively impacting the value of our pastures and ability to feed our horses. Invasive species have also threatened our trees and require extensive management. And they outcompete the perennials and shrubs we’ve bought because they have no natural insects that keep them in check and aren’t eaten by animals. We spend too many hours and too much money combatting these invasive species in our fields, garden, and woods. They are not naturally kept in check and they outperform beneficial insects that would proved more economic and natural benefits. It is time to get serious about managing these invasive species.

Invasive plant species are drastically affecting native insect populations negatively, which in turn has been affecting bird populations. Further, our honeybees have not been able to make enough honey because so many people in our area have non-native tropical plants that are not nectar or pollen producing. English Ivy is giving rise to worsening tick borne infections in our area, as it is evergreen and completely takes over the forest floor, allowing ticks to survive throughout all months of the year. Non-native invasive plants do nothing to promote habitat restoration. If public buildings were encouraged to plant native, we would find there to be multiple ecosystem and human health benefits, including cleaner air, increasing pollination by native insects, reducing runoff, and lowering ambient temperatures.

Invasive Nonnative plants are serious pests which displace the native plants our pollinators need. They seriously reduce biodiversity and outcompete the native flora we need to support. With loss of habitat and climate variability our insect populations have dropped dramatically, leaving birds unable to feed their chicks. A healthy environment will be achieved if we recognize and act quickly to reduce the use of Invasive Nonnative plants. Thank you.

I volunteer with the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards removing invasive vines from trees in our city parks. Invasives have killed many of our mature trees and native shrubs that support wildlife. Letting consumers know if a plant is invasive before it is bought is a step in controlling these weeds and protecting our ecosystems.

Dear Committee Members, My partner Tom and I care deeply about the health and vitality of our natural and cultivated ecosystems and support wise stewardship for the benefit of all. We are writing in support HB 2096. We live on and tend a1 0 acre partially wooded parcel of land which was created when a 100 acre farm in Greene County was subdivided about 20 years ago. After 5 or so year of ownership, we began to see encroachment of many noxious invasives including English Ivy, Oriental Bittersweet, Autumn Olive, Alanthus, Japanese Stilt grass, Japanese Barberry, Mahonia, Privet, and Burning Bush among others. Similarly our neighbors' properties have experienced the invasion of these noxious plants as well. The damage done by these invasive plants gaining a foothold is deep and vast. Oriental Bittersweet for example, will strangle mature trees and grow into their canopies causing the demise of mature forests. Alanthus trees which have become common along local roadways are the preferred host for a most destructive new insect, particularly to vineyards in Virginia, the Spotted Lantern Fly. All these plants outcompete the native plants that are integral to the beauty of our natural landscapes of Virginia. As we began to look for ways to address these unwelcome plants, we contacted knowledgable people and professionals who guided us toward steps to take so that we may be responsible stewards of this land. To support the pollinators that benefit the ecosystem and agricultural crop yields, we converted a four acre declining hayfield into a pollinator meadow sown with native species. The process has entailed a steep learning curve and required intensive hands on work to battle the exotic "thug plants". We have hand cut many invasives and and forest mulched big thickets of "blow overs"(mature trees taken down by invasive vines and wind) with some outside assistance. So that the natives in the meadow stand a chance, we have had to address Japanese Lespideza for example which is a plant that is particularly difficult to eradicate Ironically, Lespideza is often seeded by VDOT on the sides of newly installed roads such as the John Warner Parkway in Charlottesville that was built in the early 2000s. So even with the efforts we put into nurturing the pollinator meadow, new Lespideza gets seeded by birds and other animals carrying the seeds intentionally planted by VDOT. Many would give up in the face of this challenge. And many, including us, are passionate about preserving the health of our land. Please support this bill and other wise stewardship policies for the sake of all present and future residents of this land. Sincerely, Elaine Shaw and Thomas Walsh

HB 2096 Noxious weeds; invasive plant species Please pass this bill. I continuously fight invasive plants in my yard and in the parkland that backs up to my property. I dig up Japanese stilt grass, English ivy and honeysuckle among others . Even with my digging and mowing the plants are spreading at an alarming rate and I cannot keep it from spreading. I have begun using corn gluten meal to prevent seed germination. and it is Expensive. It would sure help if this bill was passed and it would keep the invasive trees and plants from taking over our beautiful Virginia countryside.

I write to support this bill. I have owned, since 1980, 170 acres of predominately forest land which is in conservation easements with the VA Dept of Forestry. What was once pristine land, except for deer predation and Japanese honeysuckle, is now filling up with alanthus, Jap stilt grass, Asian Bittersweet, Russian Olive, Asian Barberry, Chinese lespedeza, Japanese clover, and Beefsteak Plant, to name the worst. I could list many others I see around the county that I don't yet have. Some used to be highly recommended by the State for wildlife (I have the brochures.), others for the highways, others are still sold in nurseries. Many don't realize that they are buying invasives, while the State is still planting others. The State is ruining its own pastures, forests, and parks. Please pass this legislature including that invasives be listed as noxious weeds and that landscapers be required to inform buyers about what they intend to plant and whether it is listed as a noxious weed. These invasives are costing many thousands of man hours and dollars to remove or otherwise eradicate them. Making everyone aware of their dangers as noxious weeds is an important step to slowing down this terrible invasion. We need the State's help, not hindrance. Thank you.

Thank you to Delegate Bulova for continuing to work on this important piece of legislation. Over the past 10 years I have been volunteering with the county parks to address the issue of invasive plants. It is amazing to see the destruction that invasive plants have on our environment and how hard it is to restore the land where they have previously existed. I have heard all sorts of reasons why we shouldn't worry - they are green, it is natural evolution, etc. But, the science is out there to show that invasive plants are the second biggest threat to our biodiversity - second only to habitat destruction by man and it is clear that many of these plants are well adapted to our environment, are not well controlled by a herbivorous predator, and they have a high germination rate. Since invasive plants came to the area because of humans then it is our job to take care of the problem. This bill is a very good first step and it is important one for us to take. Thank you!!

I am writing to express my support for HB2096. This bill actually improves (i.e. reduces) the regulatory burden on agricultural businesses while also ensuring that our state the biodiversity that supports these farms through pollination (i.e. bees, other pollinators). When noxious exotic plants are brought into our state, they add to an already problematic situation. Annually, invasive species cost Virginia more than $1 billion, while nationally the total exceeds $120 billion. Invasive species damage and degrade crops, pasture and forestlands, clog waterways, spread human and livestock diseases, and destroy street trees. This bill would also further individual choice by ensuring citizens are aware that landscapers and other commercial horticulturists are using invasive exotic plants. Here is further information that is relevant to this bill and comes from the Commonwealth's own experts: https://www.invasivespeciesva.org/about

I support HB 2096. I am a large farm owner and i have seen firsthand how invasive plants are changing the characteristics of our property. Please vote to pass HB 2096

Please support HB 2096! The Department of Conservation and Recreation needs to create an invasive plant species list and update it regularly as invasive non native plants are taking over our county. I see it happening in my garden and I see it happening in our local parks and even at our airports :( Dulles Airport parking lot is surrounded with invasive Nandina plants. These invasive plants are crowding out our native flora and this makes me so sad not to mention how it makes our birds and insects feel who depend on native plants to survive. I especially like the provision that provides the public a right to know what a landscaper/installer/trades person is planting on their property and if the plant is invasive. My yard has been taken over by Liriope Spicata and Muscari, and Nandina plants, all invasive species from Asia. If I had known how invasive they are I would not have planted them as they have become almost nearly impossible to control. Thank you.

We need to LIMIT and ELIMINATE invasive plants. Farmers, loggers and others should NOT be allowed to move, transport, deliver, ship, or offer for shipment any noxious weed into or within the Commonwealth. Please do the right thing!

Invasive non-native plants are causing great harm to our environment, yet nurseries keep selling these noxious plants. Regulation and education are desperately needed to stop this scourge. Please support this bill.

Dear Delegates, I have hoped for laws to eliminate the sale of invasive species for years. As a resident of Albemarle County, I and my husband find and remove invasive shrubs and vines all the time, and I observe the same bad actors trying to take over areas next to and in Shenandoah National Park. As a member for some years of the Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards, I participate in invasives removal projects in both city and county parks and public school properties. Many of the plant species we remove are still sold, a very discouraging sight. Please vote yes for this bill as an important step in protecting Virginia's habitats from being overrun by plants that don't support our indigenous critters. Thank you very much.

Thank you for taking written comments in regard to this bill. As a resident of a condominium that has 22 acres of woods and about 134 acres total, I have been involved in the battle to prevent invasive plants and non-native exotic plants from taking over our property, killing our trees, and outcompeting the native plants that our birds and insects and mammals need to survive. If saving the ecosystem isn't enough, living in a hilly community where woodlands act as buffers between streets and buildings, it is increasingly relevant that our woodlands be maintained in a healthy manner in order to protect the slopes with woods that in addition to being beautiful and calming, should really be considered as infrastructure because without the trees, water would be pouring down the hill more than it is doing now, and flooding buildings below. Having just walked part of the property with a neighbor who is a geologist in order to learn what is and isn't slump or creep, and observing the stepping stone path at the top of the woods that is covered with mud due to rainfall carrying soil and debris down a smaller hill, it has become more and more apparent that protecting our woodlands from invasive plants and planting more trees needs to be front & center so that our landscape and woods do not decline any further and efforts are made to protect the stability of our old buildings. I am a member of Tree Stewards of Arlington & Alexandria and do more than my share of continuing education by taking webinars from organizations such as Blue Ridge PRISM, Montgomery County, Maryland, and following educators such as Douglas Tallamy, PhD from the University of Delaware, whom I consider the "guru" of ecosystems. Most residents do not avail themselves of the above types of training and do not realize that Climate Change is not just about the weather.....it is about having healthy trees that are free of English ivy or Japanese wisteria climbing to the top of our trees and eventually causing them to blow down, or be smothered by the vines that travel up toward the sun. It is imperative that we put legislation in place that acknowledges the presence of invasive plants in our communities and educations residents via municipalities to recognize them in the landscape and remove them.

I own 156 acres of land that is being overrun with invasive plants. Invasive vines such as oriental bittersweet, in particular, are threatening the trees in my forest. Almost everywhere I drive, it seems, vines are smothering the roadside trees and destroying the beauty of our state and weakening the natural environment we need to live and breathe. Please pass this legislation. We need to be able to list more plants as noxious weeds and prevent them from being sold and planted where they can escape cultivation; however, because an invasive plant might be accidentally moved from one locality to another, the nursery industry is trying to protect itself from liability and thus thwarting efforts to designate more plant species as being invasive. Loosening the language actually will benefit the effort to eradicate present and future invasions of invasive plants and save our landscapes. This is important environmental legislation and ought to be passed.

My name is Bill Hafker of Oakton, VA. I am writing asking for your support specifically for HB 2096 and also HB 1998, but more generally for any bills that will help stem the tidal wave of invasive plants and other organisms across the Commonwealth to the great detriment of our native flora and fauna. I’ve lived in Virginia for over 20 years. In that time I have watched my own suburban property come under attack by a variety of invasive plants and shrubs some of which I’ve been able to keep under reasonable control, but others like stilt grass have won the battle in the wooded part of our lot. Perhaps of even greater concern is the fact that our public open lands are being overrun by invasives. We are losing the battle to protect the integrity of state’s ecosystems and preserve their biodiversity, and need to begin to fight back seriously NOW if we are to stand a chance to win our battle to preserve the biodiversity that is Virginia’s. Please support HB 2096 and 1998, as well as bills that prohibit the sale of invasive species as landscaping plants, and that promote the preservation and restoration of the native plants and the ecosystems they support.

Plants on the invasive list should be removed from all commercial and retail outlets in the state. On my property. periwinkle is invasive throughout the property. It covers the woodland floor in areas, preventing native trees from flourishing. That is just one example. Look across the landscape as you drive down I 64 in the very early spring. Those beautiful white blossoms you see are an invasive tree, Bradford pear. Those lovely purple flower clusters could be either an invasive vine, wisteria, or an invasive tree, royal paulownia. Various grasses, such as miscanthus and Pampas grass run rampant along Virginia roadsides. All of these, along with many others are readily available at nurseries and big box stores across Virginia. Please move this bill to the floor for consideration.

I fully support this important bill. Invasive plants are destroying our natural environment faster than volunteers can cut, pull, and educate homeowners about how they affect native plants and animals. There are too many native or non-invasive options for nurseries to sell these plants to homeowners who are unaware of their impact. This legislation is going to save countless resources (dollars) in future years when efforts will have to be made to save our forests.

Please support this bill. The paragraphs below explain why each of the provisions is important. As a Commonwealth we have failed to take any substantial steps toward saving our forests and fields from the tsunami of invasive plants that are flooding our ecosystems. Previous legislative attempts to stem the tide have run afoul of the industry groups who sell many of these invasive plants. This bill is designed specifically to do no harm to those industry groups. This bill does not ban plants or threaten their sales. But this bill contains important steps that will definitely make a difference in saving our natural heritage. The permitting provisions allow VDACS to exempt incidental movement of invasive plants by farmers and loggers. Without these exemptions numerous nasty plants cannot be added to the Noxious Weeds list because they might get bound up in a bale of hay. Under current laws the farmer would need to get a permit to move that bale if the plant was on the Noxious Weeds list. By giving this discretion to VDACS we will enable the listing of more noxious weeds. Note that no plant can be listed if it is in the nursery trade in Virginia, so this has no impact on nursery or retail sales. The ban on having state agencies plant, sell or propagate plants on the DCR list of invasive plants would seem to be obviously the correct thing to do. Why would our state agencies be promoting plants that the state acknowledges are damaging our properties? Many, many homeowners and landowners continue to plant invasive plants simply because they don't realize they are invasive and will cause untold problems later on. The provision to have the tradespersons tell their customers when DCR listed invasive plants are being installed or proposed does not stop a landowner from buying and using those plants. It merely allows the landowners to make informed decisions that, in many cases, will save them and their neighbors endless work and expense to later remove those plants. This provision may indeed reduce the sales of invasive plants. But it does it in such a way that the landowner can select alternative plants, thereby resulting in no net reduction in sales to the nursery trade and retail outlets. I have spoked with a variety on landscaping professionals about this provision. All of the ones I have spoken with say this is a good idea. Lastly, the provision to have the Invasive Species Working Group prepare a budget request to implement the Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan doesn't bind the legislature to approving any additions to the budget. It only allows all of us to see what it would take to implement the plan and to then permit rational discussion of what actions can we afford to do. Thank you for your consideration. This is a really important set of actions to help all of us protect and maintain our seriously threatened natural heritage.

I strongly support yourHR2096 prohibiting the planting, selling, or propagating of invasive species and regulation of tradesperson' installation of invasive species. I can walk out my backyard to Benbrenman Park or around Lake Accotink and see the harmful effects of porcelain berry, english ivy and autumn clematis, among many others. I believe more citizens of Virginia would avoid invasive species if they knew what they were and what their ill effects were. Why they are still sold in big box stores and nurseries is beyond me.

I strongly support HB2096. Please pass this bill, which will help address the problem of invasive plant species in Virginia. Losses due to invasive plant species are enormously costly and the problem will only get worse unless it is addressed through legislation such as HB2096.

It is very important to reduce invasive plant species and have regulations to stop people from planting them. Invasive plants can outcompete native ones and they won’t have anything to keep them in check since they did not evolve with the native ecosystem. This also affects wildlife that rely on the native plants, and those that prey on them too.

Please support and vote for this bill. so important for health of ecology, biodiversity, soils, and as part of comprehensive efforts to restore Earth's energy balance and equilibrium!!! Thank you for your consideration.

I support this bill, and ask you to vote for it. It is imperative that we protect our trees and biodiversity.

I support this bill, and ask you to vote for it. It is imperative that we protect our trees and biodiversity.

I strongly support yourHR2096 prohibiting the planting, selling, or propagating of invasive species and regulation of tradesperson' installation of invasive species. One need only walk along the Mount Vernon bike path to see the harmful effects of porcelain berry and autumn clematis. I believe more citizens of Virginia would avoid invasive species if they knew what they were and what their ill effects were. To that end, I should like the Department of Recreation and Conservation to also develop and publicize a web page with illustrations of common invasive species and descriptions of their harmful characteristics.

I strongly support this bill to prohibit invasive non-native vines and plants such as English ivy, Japanese barberry, multiflora rose, autumn olive, burning bush, pachysandra, oriental bittersweet, and honeysuckle cause extensive ecological and economic damage throughout the Commonwealth. Invasive vines kill trees by climbing, girdling, strangling & weighing them down. Other invasive plants carpet our forests, preventing native plants from surviving and thriving. The cost to the Commonwealth and taxpayers is growing exponentially, as we see our native trees dying, causing storm damage and electrical outages and preventing new growth trees from developing.

I am in favor of the bill. Eliminating the sale of invasive plants is long overdue. Highways and parkways all over the Commonwealth are overrun with invasive species from other continents such as English Ivy, Porcelainberry, Sweet Autumn Clematis, and Asian Bittersweet. They crowd out native plant species and reduce habitat and food sources for native wildlife. Many of these invasive plants can still be purchased in the Commonwealth. The new sales only perpetuate and make worse the problems of invasive plant species. The least we can do is stop selling them.

I strongly support HB2096 -- efforts to protect biodiversity in our environment are crucial, and so many citizens have no knowledge of invasive plants and their impact.

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I totally support this bill and encourage all to do so, too. I work directly with invasive-plant removal in Fairfax County and am distressed at the impact of them on the biodiversity and beauty of our native environment. And most of what I have to deal with comes from residential yards and commercial properties with non-native invasive plants installed because they are "pretty" or "popular" but without any consideration of their impact. There are native alternatives for all such plants. We need this bill to pass to start reversing decades of abuse of our environment. Thank you.

I am writing in support of HB2096 in an effort to eliminate the propagation of invasive plants in Virginia. Lush carpets of Japanese Stiltgrass, the beautiful blue berries from Porcelain Berry, the sweet smell of Honeysuckle, and dark green elegance of English Ivy scaling trees-- it was only a few years ago that I learned that plants like these (that I once cherished for there beauty) are invasive and destroying our native plant habitats. These invasives aren't food sources for our wildlife and they don't live cooperatively with our native wildlife. Instead, they outcompete native species, choking out the life of native plants and even trees. Now that I'm informed, I volunteer to actively remove invasive plants from parks in Fairfax County. The truth is, it almost feels sisyphean. HB2096 will help reduce the installation and propagation of invasive plants. Thus, I ask for the bill to be supported.

I strongly support this HB2096. If it had been in place decades ago, my town might have retained some biodiversity. Instead, it is a sea of privet and callery pear. It would have changed my own landscaping decisions if companies had been required to notify me that the plants they installed were invasive. As my property backs up to a wetland area, decisions about what I plant can have significant impacts on ecological health.

I fully support HB2096 to control invasive plant species in Virginia. Many thanks to Ms. Bulova for introducing this important legislation and enhancing our environment and green space.

Delegate Bulova: Thank you for introducing this bill to address the problem of invasive plants. I fully support your effort and request that others support it too. We need to help minimize the spread of invasive plants into our Virginia environment.

Please pass this into law. Invasive plants are taking over our green spaces. They prevent the growth of our native plants that Virginia's wildlife count on for subsistence. English ivy is smothering our forest floors and trees. Nandina is poisoning our birds. It is very hard to eliminate the invasive plants once they take hold. I work hours and hours trying to eliminate the privet and ivy and eleagnus that have taken over my wooded area. It is never ending. Everything that can be done to eliminate invasive species from being sold and/or planted should be done.

I strongly support this bill. Invasive species create food deserts for insects and wild life. Anything that can be done to lessen their impact on the natural environment is important.

I strongly support this bill because it will improve the ecosystems we depend on for so many things.

I fully support the passage of this bill. EVERYTHING in our environment is inter-related, which we humans only learned late in the game. Invasive vines are killing our trees, which will impact our local environment, erosion and climate. This bill is about creating a better, more sustainable future all across Virginia, and correcting poor decisions from the past.

Virginia residents love their trees. Most have no idea that many of the landscaping vines they purchase at local nurseries are silent killers of trees. For example, English Ivy, Wisteria (Chinese), Japanese Honeysuckle, Euonymus, Sweet Autumn Clematis. Other invasive plants commonly sold at nurseries completely disrupt longtime ecosystems, killing insects and other wildlife that cannot survive the loss of native foods and shelters. For example, Callery /Bradford Pear, Bamboo, Burning Bush, Japanese Barberry, Periwinkle, Japanese Spirea, Chinese Privet. The state of Virginia and many localities are now spending a fortune to remove these aliens in order to preserve our forests and urban forest remnants. This must stop. HB 2096 isn’t a perfect solution, but it is a start. And sometimes, our best solutions come from simply starting. Please support the bill to delineate a better invasives list, govern permits and require notifying consumers when they are purchasing an invasive.

I've lived in Virginia most of my life. I used to drive disappointedly past highway medians and other 'green spaces' that were close cropped grass. Now I've seen how much more beautiful and healthy our ecosystems can be with a few policy changes. Since we've allowed wildflowers to come back, I have enjoyed driving. Let's keep this going with this bill.

I strongly support this legislation. As a physician, I know how important clean air is to health, and how important trees are to removing C02 from our air. Invasive plants will kill our beautiful trees.

As a gardener and a Garden Club President, I feel it is very important to remove invasive plants from all areas of our landscape. They should not be sold in our garden stores. They multiply and not for a good reason. Naturalist Douglas Tallamy stresses that many of these invasives do not provide food for birds, bees, etc. We need to eliminate invasives and plant natives. Thanks for the bill.

As someone who has spent thousands of hours removing invasive plants from our parks over the last 14 years, I highly support this bill. I have seen the damage done to our ecosystems from plants such as bittersweet, porcelain berry, English Ivy, etc. I've also seen an increase in the types of butterflies and birds once we removed the invasive plants and planted native ones. This bill cannot be adopted too soon! With climate change, and the need for clean water, we need to do all we can to protect our environment.

I strongly support this bill. After spending many volunteer hours eliminating various invasive plant species, I have seen firsthand the damage done to our ecosystems. This much-needed legislation will result in improved ability to regulate and enforce the movement, transportation, delivery, shipment, or offering for shipment of any noxious weed into or within the Commonwealth.

I also support legislation to provide plans and programs to evaluate and provide solutions to address the severe climate both drought and flooding. Thank you for introducing these environmental measures that are vital to Virginia's future.5555555111

I support legislation to provide plans and programs to evaluate and provide solutions to address the invasive plants and severe climate both drought and flooding. Thank you for introducing these environmental measures that are vital to Virginia's future.

The BCC Open Space Committee fully supports passage of Bill HB2096. The planting of invasive species over the past decades has created an environmental issue that if continued unabated will continue to impact the tree canopy thereby affecting climate change. Our community has taken steps to reduce invasive vine growth on our trees in Burke Centre using volunteers and identifying which vines are non-native and invasive to the community via newspaper and website articles. These measures are directly reducing the impact to the tree canopy by removing invasive species such as English Ivy, Grape Ivy, Kudzu etc. HB2096 provides guidance to homeowners and landscaping companies in line with Department of Forestry guidance on native tree and shrubs. This bill also requires landscaping companies to identify invasive species recommended in their planting proposals. This requirement is considered essential as we have witnessed the continued introduction of invasive species in our community by landscaping companies planting cheap invasive species vice native plantings. These species also endanger the insect and bee wildlife by planting of these non-native invasive species, THe BCC Open Space Committee fully endorses implementation of this legislation.

support

Mr. Bulova, I support both pieces of your proposed legislation. I currently work with a group led by Bill Ade in Burke trying to rescue the trees from invasive plants such as English Ivy, and other invasive vines that wrap themselves around our trees. The woods in Burke are important to nature and assist with reducing greenhouse gases in our community and our planet. I also assist a BCC initiative to plant native trees and shrubs in the common spaces to help steward the ecosystem in our community. I also support legislation to provide plans and programs to evaluate and provide solutions to address the severe climate both drought and flooding. Thank you for introducing these environmental measures that are vital to Virginia's future.

I support this legislation.

I support HB2096. I think it is important to reduce the amount of invasive plant species in Virginia. It will help to support the natural ecosystem in our state.

Eliminating the sale of invasive species is a vital step in fighting the battle against them replacing native plants in natural areas.

As a physician, I am concerned about climate change and biodiversity. We need biodiversity to maintain our ecosystem and even our food supply. Invasive plants and vines endanger our native plants that nurture insects, pollinators, birds and other animals. And they endanger trees which not only nurture insects and animals but help defend against extreme heat and flooding which are injurious to human health. Many people unknowingly plant invasives . Therefore we need this bill.

I strongly support this bill. Invasive non-native vines and plants such as English ivy, Japanese barberry, multiflora rose, autumn olive, burning bush, pachysandra, oriental bittersweet, nandina cause extensive ecological and economic damage throughout the Commonwealth. Invasive vines kill trees by climbing, girdling, strangling & weighing them down. Other invasive plants carpet our forests, preventing native plants from surviving and thriving. The cost to taxpayers to address this problem is mind blowing. We must stop allowing nurseries to sell these non-native invasive plants.

Making a list of invasive plants will help spread the word and raise awareness of the plants that endanger our ecosystem. Listing these plants as invasive will also create a template that can be referenced in other legislation for better enforcement to help eradicate these plants so they don't spread and cause more harm to our native plants.

I support the Delegate’s resolution , and urge its passage into law.

The invasive non native plants and vines have overgrown our beautiful native plants and trees, threatening an ecosystem that’s thousands of miles old. We must eliminate the sale or planting of non native plants.

Please support this key initiative. All over Virginia, invasive plants are killing native plants and the wildlife they support. This is most tragic with regard to the old growth trees they take over and strangle. These trees take decades to grow and are key part of the ecosystem providing shade in an ever-warming climate, removing CO2 from the air, and absorbing stormwater/reducing flooding. The invasive plants are unsightly and difficult to control once they take hold, so its critical to prevent homeowners and contractors from unwittingly planting them in the first place. Thank you for any efforts to restrict their sale.

I strongly support this legislation to reduce the enormous ecological harm of invasive plants in Virginia. These invasive plants crowd of native plants which are essential for wildlife, and for ecological health. Invasive species is one of the leading causes of the global extinction crisis. We’re in the midst of. Every effort we can make to slow the spread of invasive it’s important. Please make this bill a priority. Thank you.

I love the balance struck by this bill. It doesn't ban private citizens from doing anything; it merely requires the state to follow the well-established ecological best practice of not planting nonnative species that are known to spread aggressively and damage their surroundings, and it requires the people selling such plants to inform their customers of a significant drawback to species that those customers might otherwise mindlessly purchase and install on their property. As the volunteer leader of an invasive plant management site in my neighborhood park, I've done hours of heavy labor to free that park from the grip of invasive plants that spread into it from surrounding yards. The last thing I'd want my tax dollars going toward is planting more invasives elsewhere. And a requirement to notify customers about a plant's invasive status would go farther than any amount of outreach on my part to discourage people from planting them. After climate change and habitat loss, invasive species are probably the third greatest threat to the environment in the 21st century. Acting now to curb the use of invasive plants in Virginia would go a long way toward keeping our natural areas healthy and diverse in the decades to come.

Declawing a cat is catastrophic for the animal. Declawing destroys the tendons that allow the cat to walk and perform natural behaviors. Any ethical veterinarian would refuse to perform the procedure. It must be legally prohibited and, I would suggest, the cat's owner should not be allowed to keep the cat.

Prohibiting the planting of non-Native plants is incredibly important to the survival of native plants and trees. In Northern Virginia, the invasion of English and Irish ivies is causing the death of hundreds of trees which are incredibly important to cleaning our air; holding soil in place; and providing habitat and food for birds and animals. Climate change is not a myth as one can see from the damaging weather that is occurring this year. This is a small step in a major rescue of our native habitat and our world's climate. This is a bill that must be passed.

If a species is causing environmental harm, it obviously should be removed if at all possible (and never planted.) Do not be distracted by the term "naturalized." A non-native plant may have become established in an area but at a low enough level not to cause noticeable damage. Because it did not evolve with all the intricate flora-faunal relationships that take thousands of years to develop, it is unlikely to be contributing much meaning to an ecosystem. Still, if it is not causing damage by displacing native plants, perhaps because it is small and sparse in numbers, it may be considered relatively neutral. But don't let anyone make an invasive plant sound nice by calling it "naturalized."

I support this bill! As an Invasive Management Area site leader for our local Fairfax County park, I see every day what ecological damage is being done by easy-to-propagate invasives being sold in the landscape trade. Then I see other areas absolutely drowning in invasive plants, for example, the thousands of miles owned by VDOT. We can ask local residents, locales, and state agencies to manage their lands better (and they should), but it's a Sisyphean task without turning the faucet off. This bill is critical - we absolutely must take action as other states have already done. Without a functioning ecology, we, the constituents of Virginia, will ultimately suffer. We don't need more studies on the impacts of invasive plants. We don't need to reward the landscape trade by continuing to turn a blind eye to this problem. I understand it will hurt their profits to stop selling ecologically damaging plants. Are their profits more important than beginning to prioritize a functioning ecology that supports human life? Let's hope not. Please support this bill!

Please pass this bill. Invasive plants and vines are choking our trees and other flora.

I strongly support this bill.

Please pass this bill. The damage caused by invasive plants is cascading through the ecosystem, and remediation of the damage is a growing economic liability.

Invasive plants have dramatically altered the landscape of our Commonwealth. They are displacing our native plant ecosystem everywhere, fueled by any absence of industry regulations and a lack of enforcement teeth. The negative impacts are myriad, diminishing our natural heritage, reducing species diversity, accelerating habitat homogenization, and increasing the risks to our agriculture industry. The solutions are clear: strong state enforcement against the sale of invasive species; consistent objective data on the detrimental impacts of invasive species on our habitats and economy; and dedicated resources for invasive species removal. Please act now!

I support this bill to manage the spread of noxious invasive plants. I have a property that is just under ten acres and I am passionately working to preserve native plants and remove invasive plants here to maintain a healthy ecosystem that supports native wildlife. I have more invasive Japanese honeysuckle, Japanese silt grass, Asian Autumn Olive, Asian Multiflora Rose, Asian wintercreeper, Asian burning bush than I can handle and a neighbor has highly invasive Japanese knotweed spreading on their property a few houses down from us so that will probably be here soon. It is unbelievably hard, back-breaking work to remove invasive plants and they do a huge amount of damage to native trees including like oaks, dogwoods, and red buds and they take up space that should be space for native plants. Non-native invasive plants like Nandina can poison native birds like Cedar waxwings. Most of these invasive plants are here because they were planted by the state (for example, Autumn Olive was planted to remediate erosion from strip mining in West Virginia but rapidly spread out of control, and Chinese bush clover which is a problem in my yard is planted by VDOT along high ways but it spreads here) or they were planted in gardens as ornamental plants but spread massively out of control (Japanese honeysuckle, Asian burning bush, winter creeper, vinca, etc). Non-native invasive plants are a huge, huge problem in Virginia. It would be very helpful for our native wildlife and our environment if non-native invasive plants were restricted.

I'm asking that we pass HB2096 | Bulova | Noxious weeds; invasive plant species to help eradicate invasive plants in Virginia. Invasive plants overtake Virginia's native plants causing the destruction of habitats that support our wildlife. Invasive plants are one of the reasons for the diminishing biodiversity, and the extinction of our commonwealth's native creatures. Furthermore invasive plants bore poorly in the absorption of rain water.

Please pass this bill... we need our trees! It makes me weep to see how damaging invasive weeds are. This legislation is sorely needed!

I support passage of this bill

Please pass this bill... we need our trees!

I would appreciate this bill to stop nurseries from selling invasive species such as pachysandra and English Ivy. As an invasive plant volunteer and homeowner with a yard, I am pulling these plants because someone bought them and planted them. Invasive plants make it difficult for native plants to grow and for birds to migrate and reproduce. Thank you.

We estimate that there are somewhere on the order of three million trees at risk of being killed by invasive non-native vines in Northern Virginia alone. Numerous remnant woods have been completely blanketed, and in many areas they have already collapsed. The cost to the taxpayers and private landowners of controlling this plague boggles the mind. This is not even to mention all the invasives plants infesting the lower levels, such as Japanese Barberry, Burning Bush, Chinese Privet, and Chinese Silvergrass, that are destroying our local ecosystem. Please pass this bill. We have to stop the pipeline of new invasive plants being installed in our landscapes and spreading from there to neighboring land.

Please take action to pass the bill limiting the sale and transfer of invasive species. These are plants that have already been identified as harmful to the environment in many ways. They limit food and shelter options for insects and birds which are the foundation of our environmental web. Most of these smaller insects cannot quickly adapt and need specific native plants to feed on, to lay their eggs on, and then those larve need specific native plants to feed on. Invasive plants crowd out the native plants and provide limited or no benefit to the environment. The state of Virginia has already developed an invasive species list. This list should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. These are plants that the state has already identified as harmful and is already spending significant sums of money to combat. The longer we wait to address these invasive plants, the more money and effort will be needed in a fight that is currently underway. Furthermore, some of these invasive plants species are favored by invasive insects which have already been found cause damage to Virginia's agricultural industry and the state's overall economy. Please help stop to spread of these plants by banning the sale and transfer of them within the state. It is one low cost first step in addressing the problem. Several other states have already taken similar steps and Virginia can join them as a leader in being a steward of its land and resources. Additionally, the state can take a further step to promote the sale, transfer, and planting of native plants. Entities such as the Virginia Department of Forestry and many counties are already encouraging planting native trees and helping to distribute affordable seedlings. These entities have recognized the benefit to the environment not just for wildlife but in reducing energy usage by creating shade, and reducing water pollution and flash flooding by slowing water run off. These are issues that also cost the state significant amounts of money to address. But for just a few dollars - literally, the Dept of Forestry has some native tree seedlings available for $2.00 each - to plant a tree and some time to allow for growth we can get ahead of these issues and reduce future spending needs. The same can be done with shrubs, grasses, and plants of all kinds. But it does take time for growth, so the time to start and quite literally plant the seeds is now!! We aren't asking for new funding now, but for support in education, awareness and an end to selling harmful products. Please provide your support to this bill and this effort to stop the spread of invasive species.

Pls stop all animal experiments and cruelty. Someone has to speak and step up for those who cannot. Pls stop all cruelty Thanks

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

Chairman and Subcommittee Members Please consider the following GOVERNMENT DATA when deciding if HOMEMADE PICKLES are safe enough to VOTE YES to HB2123. Data from the CDC National Outbreak Reporting System 1998 to 2020 Cases of Foodborne Illness from Pickles Number of: Outbreaks Illnesses Hospitalizations Deaths Setting of Outbreak Virginia ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO N/A USA 8 104 6 0 Private homes ZERO Restaurant 100 Unknown 4 NO CASES of illness came from a private home setting. 100 cases came from inspected restaurants. So if you don't eat pickles in restaurants you should be OK! Please VOTE YES to HB 2123 Thank you, Elizabeth Buteau 6556 James River Road Shipman, Va 22971

HB2096 - Please keep the provision. Virginia doesn't need to have more weeds. We need to encourage our own natural flora and fauna. HB2123 - this is a great idea! Doing small farms, people would be able to share not just what they grow but earn something enough to pay for what they loved doing. Pickles are actually a big deal at some of the shows/functions I've been at. Great idea!

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

HB1381, 1383. Both of these are needed to start protecting the menhaden. While it is great that people want to have "clean energy", we also need to start rebuilding the water: this is a great way to start. HB2244 - we need to make sure African American cemeteries and graves are treated with the same respect as other burial grounds. I support this bill.

It's our responsibility to protect the ones that have no voice

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery

HB2393 is such a sensible bill I am surprised it isn't already law. I support HB2393 and ask you to pass it.

I demanding that you protect our water stop the mountain valley pipeline from being drilled it will endanger people living there I am begging to protect our waters and lands as so important for endangered species and people. Concerned Citizen Ji Montgomery