Knox County, Indiana Bans the Distribution of 64 Invasive Plants

Local organizations in Knox County, Indiana, campaigned to raise awareness of the environmental and economic destruction that encroaching invasive species can have on communities. Representatives from the agriculture, horticulture and landscaping industries collaborated with conservation experts and the county attorney to determine the scope of an ordinance proposal that would ban 64 invasive plant species in the county. County commissioners unanimously passed the ordinance in August 2018. Retailers had seventeen months to sell any existing banned plant stock and switch to alternative commodities. Since the ordinance took effect in January 2020, it has prevented nearly 900 invasive plants from being distributed in Knox County.