# Building Native Habitats at Federal Facilities Act

This bill requires federal agencies to prioritize using native plants whenever they do landscaping work at government buildings and facilities. When federal agencies plan construction or maintenance projects that involve planting trees, shrubs, flowers, or other vegetation, they now need to choose native plants over non-native ones whenever it's practical to do so. The bill gives agencies nine months from when it becomes law to update their landscaping standards and requirements to reflect this preference for native plants.

The law recognizes that native plants offer real benefits beyond just looking nice. Native plants support local wildlife and pollinators like bees, reduce the need for watering and maintenance, prevent soil erosion, and help manage stormwater runoff. When federal agencies hire contractors to do landscaping work, those contractors must follow the same native plant requirements, and any subcontractors they hire must follow them too. The bill does carve out an exception for regular lawns and turfgrass—agencies don't have to replace existing grass—but they're encouraged to plant native species in unused lawn areas when it makes sense.

To help agencies figure out how to implement this, the Council on Environmental Quality will provide guidance within six months and update it every two years. The council will also publish reports every two years showing how well federal agencies are doing at using native plants, including case studies of successful projects and any measurable environmental benefits. This means taxpayers will be able to see whether federal facilities are actually making a difference in supporting local ecosystems and reducing maintenance costs over time.