Gov. John Carney has signed a Senate bill banning the commercial traffic of invasive plant species in Delaware.

Introduced by sponsor Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, and passed with unanimous and bipartisan support, the bill will prohibit the use of plants not native to the ecosystem and that cause environmental and economic harm to birds and people of Delaware.

“Whether Delaware is their home or it’s a stop to refuel on their migration journey along the Atlantic Flyway, birds rely on a thriving natural landscape of native plant species for food and nutrients, especially insect-feeding birds like the Louisiana waterthrush and brown-headed nuthatch,” said Steve Cottrell, president of the Delaware Audubon Society. “This legislation provides a policy tool to reduce invasive species that displace native vegetation, and we hope (it) will encourage businesses and people to prioritize native plants and the removal of invasives when landscaping and gardening — to provide healthy habitats for birds across our state.”

According to the U.S. Forest Service, 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened plant species are in decline due to invasive species. These plant species push out native species and contribute to the decline of overall plant diversity, degradation of wildlife habitat and water quality, and increased soil erosion.