PA House Passes Bill To Encourage Pollinator, Native Insect Habitat On State-Owned Property

On June 23, the House passed House Bill 426 (Pielli-D-Chester) to promote the growth of new native plant species habitats by encouraging any new construction of a garden, lawn or green space at a Commonwealth facility to include insecticide-free native plants and flowers.

The vote was nearly unanimous-- 198 to 4.

Since the 1990s, the population of monarch butterflies in North America has declined by 90%. 

As a result of their decline, these pollinators are now candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Other important pollinators like bees have experienced similar declines.

“Without insects and pollinators, our flowers and crops cannot survive,” said Rep. Pielli. 

“This threatens our agricultural industry, which is vital to our state’s economy. Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry generates more than $250 million in profits from crops that benefit from insect pollination, as well as more than $9 million from pollination required to produce seeds.

“Furthermore, these crops that use pollinators are also a major source of nutrition for us humans. Approximately one-third of food consumed is enabled by pollination. 

"Without access to nutritious foods, Pennsylvanians will be less healthy, increasing healthcare costs, disabilities and sicknesses, costing individuals as well as the entire state economy. 

"This bill is a very efficient and cost-effective way to help protect our pollinators and our important agricultural industry.”

The bill now goes to the Senate for action.

Click Here for Rep. Pielli's announcement.

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Now Accepting Nominations For 2027 Pennsylvania Trail Of The Year  [PaEN] 

-- DCNR Commemorates Juneteenth At Historic Mifflin Farm In York County, Highlights Investment In Future Susquehanna National Heritage Area Park

-- Outdoor Business Alliance Of PA Hosts July 7 Webinar On Accessing Funding For Your Outdoor Business   [PaEN] 

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light Now Accepting Applications For Community Tree Project Technical Assistance; Apply For Free Trees  [PaEN]  

-- PA House Passes Bill To Encourage Pollinator, Native Insect Habitat On State-Owned Property  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Names Alana Jajko Executive Director  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Pennsylvanians Agree On This - Our State Parks Need Funding Now - By Bradley Mallory, PA Parks & Forests Foundation Board Member

-- PennLive: Lancaster Conservancy To Purchase 31 Acres To Add To Robert A. Kinsley Nature Preserve In Hellam Twp., York County 

-- WITF - The Spark: PA Author Tory Mather Highlights Hidden Natural Wonders Across The Commonwealth

-- Tribune-Democrat: Celebration Will Mark 50th Anniversary Of Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail: ‘Amazing Asset’ 

-- Tribune-Democrat: 9/11 Trail Alliance Acquires Portage Property, Eyes ‘Much Better Route’ Through Cambria

-- TribLive: Armstrong County Trail Groups Say Vandalism Diverts Resources From Improvements And Maintenance 

-- WVIA: Luzerne County Native Hits Halfway Point In Trek From Georgia To Maine On Appalachian Trail

-- Observer-Reporter: North Strabane Twp. To Assess Land For Recreation Complex In Washington County 

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader: Field Notes - Thankful For Pennsylvania Parks

[Posted: June 25, 2026]  PA Environment Digest