Section 1-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] [Effective 10/1/2024] State native grass(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following: (1) Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as Little Bluestem, is a warm-season grass native to lower Canada and all of the United States except Nevada and Washington.(2) Little Bluestem fosters healthier Alabama ecosystems by maintaining ecological balance and creating and enhancing habitats that support environmental heterogeneity.(3) Little Bluestem is vital to the overall resilience of Alabama ecosystems by combating Alabama's challenges regarding drought conditions and soil erosion.(4) Little Bluestem contributes to the overall richness of Alabama's wildlife. In addition to the structure of Little Bluestem offering cover and nesting sites for birds, insects, and small mammals, the seeds of Little Bluestem serve as a food source for various organisms.(5) Little Bluestem's distinctive blue-green foliage and reddish-brown seed heads offer unique aesthetic benefits for the residents and visitors of Alabama by adding to the inherent beauty of Alabama's landscapes and natural areas.(6) The planting of Little Bluestem aligns with existing conservation and ecological restoration initiatives in Alabama. Little Bluestem's inclusion in restoration projects aids in the rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems, particularly in areas impacted by agriculture, urbanization, and other land-use changes.(b) Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is hereby declared to be the official State Native Grass of Alabama.Added by Act 2024-283,§ 1, eff. 10/1/2024.