Governor Signs Invasive Plants Bill

On March 24, Governor Youngkin signed House Bill 1941/Senate Bill 1166 into law. It will become effective on January 1, 2027. As a result, 39 of the most significant invasive plants will now be labeled at their point of sale in plant nurseries in Virginia.

Blue Ridge Partners for Regional Invasive Species Management (Blue Ridge PRISM) issued the following statement about the bill: “We are thrilled because environmental education is so important! Currently, much of the public is unaware that their invasive plant purchase impacts local biodiversity. This new law will enable them to be better informed about the risk of purchasing and planting these invasive plants.

Thank you to Delegate Seibold and Senator Salim for being the chief patrons of this bill during the 2025 General Assembly session; to Governor Youngkin for signing this bill; and to everyone who supported this bill and made themselves heard! We could not have done it without you.”

Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a participating member of the Virginia Invasive Plant Coalition. The January 21, 2025, edition of Happenings Around the Blue Ridge included a profile of Lauren Taylor, the Executive Director of Blue Ridge Prism.