Report on Missouri’s Legislative Action Against Invasive Plant Species

Introduction

The State of Missouri has enacted Senate Bill 105, a legislative measure signed into law by Governor Mike Kehoe, which prohibits the sale of designated invasive plant species. This action represents a significant step towards environmental protection and aligns with global sustainability objectives, particularly the United-Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The enactment of Senate Bill 105 directly contributes to the achievement of several key SDGs, most notably SDG 15, which focuses on protecting terrestrial ecosystems.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.8: By outlawing the sale of invasive flora, the legislation directly addresses the goal to “introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.”
• Target 15.5: The bill supports the objective to “take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” Halting the spread of invasive plants is critical to preserving Missouri’s native habitats and biodiversity.

Supporting Goals

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Protecting native ecosystems from invasive species contributes to the environmental health and resilience of urban and rural landscapes.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The law encourages sustainable practices within the nursery and landscaping industries, shifting production and consumption patterns away from ecologically harmful products.

Legislative Details and Implementation

Provisions of Senate Bill 105

The bill, championed by the Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP), statutorily prohibits the commercial sale of six specific invasive plant species known to negatively impact Missouri’s natural and working lands.

Implementation Timeline

A phased approach has been established to mitigate economic disruption for commercial nurseries:

1. The law officially takes effect on August 28.
2. A grace period allows for the continued sale of five of the species until January 1, 2027.
3. The sale of the remaining two species will be permitted until January 1, 2029.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Advocacy

Multi-Sectoral Support

The passage of Senate Bill 105 was the result of a collaborative effort involving government bodies, non-profit organizations, and industry associations. The Missouri Invasive Plant Council expressed gratitude for the widespread support.

Key Contributors

• Government Leadership: Governor Mike Kehoe, Senator Bernskoetter, and Representative Bruce Sassmann.
• Advocacy Groups: The Missouri Invasive Plant Council, Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM), and The Nature Conservancy.
• Industry and Community Organizations: The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Stream Teams United, and the Missouri Prairie Foundation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • The article’s central theme is the passing of Senate Bill 105, a law that “outlaws the sale of several invasive plant species.” This action directly relates to protecting terrestrial ecosystems. The stated goal is to “help protect Missouri’s working lands and native habitats” and “reduce their negative impacts on the landscape,” which are core objectives of SDG 15.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • The law specifically “halts the sale of six invasive plant species.” This is a direct intervention in production and consumption patterns, targeting nurseries that supply these plants. The bill includes a grace period to “mitigate revenue loss for nurseries,” acknowledging the need to shift production practices sustainably without causing immediate economic disruption.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article highlights a broad collaboration to achieve this legislative success. It explicitly thanks “Governor Kehoe, Senator Bernskoetter, and Representative Sassmann,” as well as numerous civil society and industry groups, including the “Missouri Invasive Plant Council,” “Missouri Cattlemen’s Association,” “Missouri Municipal League,” “Conservation Federation of Missouri,” and “The Nature Conservancy.” This exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnership approach promoted by SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.

   • The article is a direct report on the implementation of such a measure. The signing of “Senate Bill 105 into law, which halts the sale of six invasive plant species” is a preventative action designed to control the spread and reduce the impact of specific, prioritized invasive species on Missouri’s ecosystems.

2. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity…

   • The legislation is described as a way to “protect Missouri’s working lands and native habitats.” By controlling the spread of invasive plants, which outcompete native flora and degrade habitats, the law directly contributes to halting biodiversity loss and reducing the degradation of natural environments.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…

   • The success of the bill is attributed to a large-scale partnership. The article details the collaborative effort involving the “Missouri Invasive Plant Council” (civil society), state government officials (public), and various other groups like the “Missouri Cattlemen’s Association” (private sector/industry) and “The Nature Conservancy” (civil society), demonstrating an effective partnership in action.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Adoption of relevant national (or sub-national) legislation (related to Target 15.8).

   • The primary indicator mentioned is the successful passing and signing of “Senate Bill 105.” The existence of this law serves as a direct, measurable indicator that policy measures have been introduced to control invasive alien species.

2. Number of invasive species targeted for control (related to Target 15.8).

   • The article provides a specific, quantifiable indicator by stating that the new law “halts the sale of six invasive plant species.” This number can be used to track the scope of the control efforts.

3. Existence of multi-stakeholder partnerships (related to Target 17.17).

   • The article implicitly uses the formation and success of the coalition as an indicator of progress. It names the “Missouri Invasive Plant Council” and lists its many partners (“Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Stream Teams United, the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM), and The Nature Conservancy”) as being instrumental in the bill’s passage, indicating a successful partnership is in place.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kfvs12.com