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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><div><p class=MsoNormal> Native Plant Conservation Campaign News: <strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Historic Maryland Law Requires Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) to ALLOW HOMEOWNERS TO GARDEN WITH NATIVE PLANTS AND WITHOUT LAWNS</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>April 27, 2021<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>“BUTTERFLIES: 1, BULLIES: 0”</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On April 6, the Maryland senate unanimously passed House Bill 322, which compels Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) and other organizations to allow “low-impact landscaping” such as rain gardens, native plant gardens, pollinator gardens, and xeriscaping in subdivisions.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=350 height=197 style='width:3.6458in;height:2.052in' src="https://ymlpcl4.com/imgz/09yp_wateringlawn--2.jpg" align=right v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>The law specifically forbids HOAs to require that "CULTIVATED VEGETATION [in gardens] CONSIST IN WHOLE OR IN PART OF TURF GRASS."</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>(See <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2asrhdds">this recent NPCC News</a> for information on the high ecological and economic costs of turf lawns.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>The bill was spearheaded by a Howard County, MD homeowner who was persecuted by her HOA because one of her neighbors disliked her pollinator garden. The HOA was so hostile to her garden that they paid a law firm $100,000 to force her to replace it with turf. The homeowner’s sister has written an <a href="https://www.humanegardener.com/butterflies-1-hoa-bullies-0/?fbclid=IwAR2xbNUbHtisQ9qX9ASz55HaGzjhUfChpslef2B_ga3NtEYE1WQAgx10NHc">excellent article</a> (entitled Butterflies: 1, Bullies: 0) about their experiences at the hands of the HOA and their lawyers. These experiences included repeated hearings at which they homeowners endured harangues from their neighbor (whose lawn is reportedly regularly sprayed with toxic fertilizers and pesticides), numerous depositions, and harassment at their home.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br>There are over 370,000 homeowner associations in the United States. Collectively, this represents over 40 million households (over 53% of the owner-occupied households in the U.S.). Pro-lawn and anti-native plant HOA rules and intimidations have been significant obstacles to the establishment of native plant and wildlife gardens in this country. <strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>The passage of H.B. 322 means that, at least in Maryland, no other homeowners will have to fight so hard simply to plant sustainable and ecologically friendly gardens on their property.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>This bill comes as Las Vegas has proposed banning thirsty turf in areas where no one walks, such as subdivision common areas and road medians. Read about it in the <a href="https://tinyurl.com/8js7sn2d">most recent NPCC News</a>.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:304.3pt;margin-top:0;width:355.5pt;height:201pt;z-index:251659264;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:0;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:0;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:line;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page' o:allowoverlap="f">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=474 height=268 style='width:4.9375in;height:2.7916in' src="https://i2.wp.com/www.humanegardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Slide1.jpeg?resize=474%2C268&ssl=1" align=right v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3"><![endif]><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>The Maryland bill can and should be a model for other states.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>These policies will help states and homeowners use native plants to create wildlife friendly gardens that are part of the fight against, rather than the causes of, environmental degradation and species extinction.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>The law is expected to be signed soon and to take effect on October 1, 2021.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>If your state is working on or has passed anti-lawn or pro-native plant laws or HOA rules, <a href="mailto:emilyr@plantsocieties.org?subject=HOA%20rules">please let us know.</a></span></strong><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Further Information</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p></div><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><a href="https://www.humanegardener.com/butterflies-1-hoa-bullies-0/?fbclid=IwAR2xbNUbHtisQ9qX9ASz55HaGzjhUfChpslef2B_ga3NtEYE1WQAgx10NHc">Read Butterflies 1, Bullies 0</a> by the homeowner’s sister (Nancy Lawson of <a href="https://www.humanegardener.com/">the Humane Gardener</a>) who tells this story. The article also includes revealing photos comparing lawns and native plantings, and links to tips for working with local governments and HOAs to plant natives.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>See <a href="https://tinyurl.com/2asrhdds">this recent NPCC News</a> for information on the ecological and economic costs of lawns.<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Read the Sierra Club’s <a href="https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce/maryland-chapter/HB322%20-%20Real%20Property-Restrictions%20on%20Use-Low-Impact%20Landscaping%20-%20E%26T%20-Hill-%2019Jan2021.pdf">testimony</a> on MD H.B. 322<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Find out <a href="https://www.hopb.co/hoa-state-laws/">what the HOA laws require in your state</a></span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><div><p class=MsoNormal><strong><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Photo: </span></strong><strong><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'>Putting out the un-welcome mat: In the Beech Creek HOA, habitat signs are cited as violations, but anyone can spray pesticides that endanger children and pets and then post a sign about it. (Photos: Janet and Jeff Crouch)</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'> <o:p></o:p></li></ul><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Emily B. Roberson, Ph.D.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://plantsocieties.cnps.org/">Native Plant Conservation Campaign</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Native Plant Society of the United States<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=100 height=125 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.302in' id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://ymlpcl4.com/imgz/09yp_Logocolorhighrezname100.jpg"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:emilyr@plantsocieties.org">emilyr@</a><a href="mailto:emilyr@plantsocieties.org">plantsocieties.org</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>#<span style='color:green'>SavePlantsSaveThePlanet</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>The mission of the Native Plant Conservation Campaign is to promote the conservation of native plants and their habitats through collaboration, research, education, and advocacy.</span></em><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><a href="http://signup.ymlpcl4.com/xghwwhjjgmgb">Sign up for NPCC News</a>! </b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/plantsocieties"><b>Like us on Facebook!</b></a> <b><a href="http://plantsocieties.cnps.org/index.php/action-main/donate-to-campaign">Donate</a>!</b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Please forward this message to any interested individuals or organizations. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><hr size=0 width="50%" noshade style='color:black' align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="https://ymlpcl4.com/ughwwhjjgsgbegehheuggwebbq"><span style='color:black'>Unsubscribe / Change Profile</span></a> <br><a href="https://ymlpcl4.com/m/"><span style='color:black'>Powered by YMLP</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=1 height=1 style='width:.0104in;height:.0104in' id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://ymlpcl4.com/17c36vbegrhbqmqfeewv/footer.gif" alt=" "><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div></body></html>