Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared April as Native Plant Month in Michigan.

We’ll save you are the “whereases” and “therefores,” but basically, the month, it is hoped, will bring attention to indigenous species that have evolved alongside native wildlife and occur naturally in a particular geographic region, ecosystem and habitat.

The governor’s declaration stated that native plants are essential for “healthy, diverse and sustainable ecosystems and are critical for cleaning air, filtering water and stabilizing soils.”

We agree. For example, Lake Superior shoreline along M-28 in Chocolay Township is prone to erosion, which stops when it hits beach grass. Lots of beach grass also has been planted along Lakeshore Boulevard in the city of Marquette, courtesy of the Superior Watershed Partnership and its Great Lakes Climate Corps.

Native plants are well-adapted to Michigan’s soils, temperatures, precipitation and environmental conditions. Not only are they resilient, they provide food for wildlife, including nectar, pollen, seeds and foliage for birds, caterpillars, butterflies, bees and other wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot.

According to the governor’s declaration, Michigan is home to more than 1,800 native plant species, which include large shade trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, grasses and wildflowers. Also, some of Michigan’s rarest plants are federally listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. These include the Michigan monkey-flower, dwarf lake iris, Eastern prairie-fringed orchid and pitcher’s thistle.

Most people probably don’t know a goblin moonwort from a purple turtlehead, but when endangered plants disappear, there’s something wrong with the ecosystem.

So, we agree with the governor that it’s important to encourage public awareness about the benefits of Michigan’s native plants to pollinators and other wildlife, to the economy, and to the health and sustainability of its ecosystems.

And what better way to foster public awareness than to plant native species on your own property? Once established, they require little maintenance and provide so many benefits.

In a way, Native Plant Month is celebrated the entire year.