On June 16, 2009 Governor Perry signed a bill into law that recognizes the third week in October as Texas Native Plant Week. The bill is intended to emphasize the role of native plants in conservation efforts and to be used as incentive for the Texas education system to teach school children about the importance of native plants. The Native Plant Society of Texas teamed with State Representative Donna Howard to present the bill to the State Legislature. The bill passed unanimously in both houses.