The GNPS Advocacy Committee has been working on a multi-pronged approach to gain support for changing the state flower to a native species. Through work accomplished last year, GNPS learned that most legislators are in favor of changing the state flower from the exotic Cherokee Rose (Rosa laevigata) to the native Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). In fact, we already have two sponsors for the 2025 legislative session, Senator Rick Williams (R-Milledgeville) and Representative Deborah Silcox (R-Sandy Springs). In addition, the Georgia Cherokee Community Alliance, Birds Georgia, Georgia Invasive Species Council, and University of Georgia’s Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health have joined GNPS in support of the campaign. We have been distributing this Campaign Info Sheet that provides more detail on the history of the state flower and the attributes that make Sweetbay Magnolia a more appropriate floral symbol for Georgia.
How can you help move this change along? Please call your state senator and representative to let them know that you want their support in changing the state flower to the native Sweetbay Magnolia. We have provided some guidance on how to contact your legislators and what to say in our How to Get Involved sheet. If you aren’t sure who your legislators are, click find your legislator. The most impactful way to reach out to your legislator is by phone or in person. Handwritten letters are also a great way to communicate. Emails are the least effective, but we encourage any and all contact so this can be a success. When you do contact your legislator, please let the GNPS Advocacy committee co-chair, Michael Cowan, know so we may track our progress at michael.cowan@gnps.org.
We also encourage you to share this information with other Georgians to promote awareness and action. Over the coming weeks, GNPS will be posting campaign information on our social media accounts with shareable posts. Please like and share!
