"If a nature themed license plate is capable of making a person upset, then I wonder about that person's relationship with meaningful challenges in life." This sums up perhaps the most important point in this controversy.

I appreciate how you turn this issue into a learning opportunity. We'll done

You do a ridiculously good job of explaining this issue. As we both know, there are many people these days now who thrive on finding fault with just about anything.

As you said, this particular license plate is designed to raise money for pollination. The cause is what is important, I would think

Home run Adam, very thoughtful, thorough & nice job. Congrats Pa. for a great fundraising concept for pollinators. Not upset...no complaints...from Wisconsin!

There are more important things to get upset over than silly license plates.

Wow. People have mental boundaries. I like the plate...brings food to our plate.

Thank you for shedding the light and dissolving fear with a smile😊

I think the Purple Coneflower is a good choice for the plate because it’s a species that many people cultivate in the state and recognize as a plant that supports pollinators. It’s almost like an emblem of conservation and restoration projects - not naturally occurring but indicating a human desire to support the ecosystem. Its structure also makes it easy to ID from far away. Thanks for this video Adam!

i laughed out loud at "...i wonder about that person's relationship with meaningful challenges in life".😆🍻

Thank you for a reasoned and thoughtful video. I'm from Harrison county in Ohio, just one county south, and we have purple coneflower in our fields. I don't know how these surveys are conducted, but I have the feeling that people are taking them as absolute, rather than a single data point when they are discussing native v. non-native species. I also believe a better discussion is invasive v. non-invasive.

Yay, PA for making a pollinator plate! 🌸🐝🦋 Thank you, Adam, for such a well reasoned, thoughtful, thoroughly researched presentation on the topic. I learned some things. Appreciate your work!

Great video! I allow all my plants to go to flower and seed and I let my yard pretty much run wild only mowing the grass a couple of times a year, and I have found many species of bees flock to my yard. Picture a world where everybody planted fruit trees instead of grass. Now that would be fun. 😅

I appreciate your common sense approach to this silly "issue". -- and all your excellent nature videos. And you are absolutely right about the honey bee, too. Keep up the good work, from an 80-plus year old naturalist from New England.

The level of detail and patience you expressed to explain what is obvious to those with sufficient common sense was . . . commendable. I plant for pollinators in my garden, and I am sure some things are not at all native to NEPA. Like oregano. My huge flowering oregano is attracting 40 bees and pollinators of all kinds - all at the same time - all day. It deserves a license plate!

Thank you again, Adam! Great information and I don't know how I feel about this topic. I want to laugh...but I am also grateful that it came up because your response is amazing!

Adam gets to the point without hemming and hawing. Adam may rehearse his remarks, but that saves time both in his getting his message across and in our understanding what he wants to say, so your attention does not wander. Good presentation, Adam! Even if you rehearse, it is well worth doing.

I think you are right, that people have way to much time on their hands to be upset about this issue.

You made a very good point re the honeybee. People objecting to the (supposed) purple coneflower and not the honeybee is a bit ironic.

Interesting thoughts. As you said, Pollination is the idea of the plate and to produce funds to help with such. It brought awareness, these people could have used that energy to complain to increase awareness about the multiple ways they could help the environment. As a Buckeye State resident, I could get into lots of conversation about the Canada Goose and my area of Ohio. 😊. Gotta love where you live, wherever that is!

Beautifully put, Adam! Love the broad mindedness and bigger picture of this that you painted here. All my relatives from both sides are from PA, solid German stock so to speak... Sounds like a typical discussion/debate in any family gathering of mine - very opinionated and convinced they're right on any side of an issue without considering all of the ways one could look at it. As an herbalist, I say, just make amazing medicine from echinacea purpurea, support your pollinators, and chill out!

Even bad publicity is good publicity. They got you to talk about it! I hope they raise alot of money for this program!!! Love your channel!!

In Toronto, we sometimes hear similar picky concerns about native vs non-native. Surrounded by cement as we often are, I am usually just relieved to see plants...even a vacant lot that gets overgrown is a thing of beauty. I feel the honeybee was a worse choice as we have so many native bees that people don't seem to even realize exist. (apparently about 300 just in the general area of our city, a few thousand across the continent.) Now, I am a member of a beekeeping collective that we started about 20 years ago as a part of our ever expanding urban agriculture programs and I love all the bees...heck I also love wasps but that is another story...and I do think that more public education is needed around how to live comfortably with insects in general. I figure that seeds get spread by animals, whether pooped or vomited or just stuck in their feathers or fur and if those seeds can travel a few miles via a native animal, that should be perfectly acceptable. Thanks for your very excellent series which I watch regularly and which I consider relevent all the way to Ontario.

I was just camping in Ohio (not far from the PA border) last week, and I saw so much purple coneflower, and TONS of butterflies, at least four different species, drinking from them. I had no idea about its native history, or that it was currently part of a “controversy” lol - but I can certainly testify that it was doing its job!! Great job on a highly informative, rational video 👏

I love that license plate😊💖💖 Thank you for the detailed information😊 I believe that these days, many people are simply unhappy & discontented, and look for reasons to argue & complain, to interfere with other people's happiness. 💔 If you don't like the plate, then don't purchase it, & don't interfere with other people's personal choice to purchase it--it's that simple.

One could also posit that the bee is one of the 4,000 bee species native to North America rather than the European honeybee. Thankyou once again for a level-headed discussion. It made me look to see if my state (WI) has a pollinator plate. We do not yet.

....I wonder about that person's relationship with meaningful challenges in life. One of the best lines I've heard on KZfaq

Always someone wanting to pee in everyones bowl of cereal. It's a program to benefit the states natural habitat and people getting upset over a picture. I think you're spot on in saying maybe they might have a bigger issue if that's what they have trouble getting over. Great info as always. PS i'd love to see you share links whenever you reference a website or database if possible.

This is a different and very enjoyable video, Adam. You have a way of completely explaining an issue, with lots of relevant and in this case, opinionated in a good way, information. It was amusing and also the videography was quite beautiful.

I live in WI so I shouldn't comment on the license plate but I can agree with another's comment. Thank you for turning this into a learning opportunity. I guess that is saying I agree that if this helps our pollinators, it's a non-issue. Very nice reminder about the honey bees, I'd almost forgotten. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and educating those of us with an interest in learning about the land, it's beauty and bounty.

All I can say is, I have numerous berry bushes cropping up that I didn't plant. #BirdsPoop Always appreciating your knowledge as well as your pragmatism. #Grateful

Lots of good information using great analytical skills. Thank you for reminding us to think outside the box even when it comes to nature. Excellent point about the honeybees. Most of our biases can be softened or even removed with just a bit of education. Thank you.

We find your channel extremely interesting and enjoy watching all your videos! You do a great job presenting valuable information on plant species and their benefits to us. Keep it coming!

This so-called controversy hardly rises to the level of getting your shorts in a knot. Thanks for the great explanation, I'm thinking purple coneflower and honey bees are very recognizable even in a small format like a license plate so rather than get all complicated, just accept it and move on. It's a very worthwhile fund raising idea

First off, EXCELLENT presentation, and I concur completely; your initial 'wondering' about how people would handle truly important issues was very apt. Secondly, the knee-jerk default setting over the past few decades for an increasingly large number of humans seems to be 'focus on the minutiae, not the intended scope of the message, so that we can derail anything and everything.' As has been said, common sense isn't at all 'common' anymore.

Someone will always find anything to complain about, they use the word invasive and not native to areas. I'm in SE, Pennsylvania and I think the license plate looks fine. If you think about it, somewhere along the line we are not native to Pennsylvania either.

I love your description of people who get very upset over a license plate image. It can be a positive thought however that people are concerned about local advocacy and wish it to be accurate.👍🏻

Wow, a little life lesson with this one. That comment about getting upset and how you deal with real life's problems is so real and had me reflect a little. Thanks. Won't be sweating the small stuff.

I never thought this topic could yield such interesting content, but you did it! Ecology rocks!

Flabbergasted that people are "so on edge" they will pick any topic to send forth hate. Wishing you a day filled with love and peace.

I think you are spot on, Adam. I have a lot of family history in Pennsylvania, though I am not a resident myself. That being said, I like the way the license plate looks and I believe it needs to stay the way it is. I am fairly certain, that Purple Cornflower - purpurea grew native in Pennsylvania - possibly as little as 200 years ago. Right after watching this video, I did a search and what I found was an article, posted online, in May 2021, by the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, which is in northwestern Philadelphia. The article is called "Reviving the Prairies of Philadelphia". While they don't actually state this flower as being a native to Pennsylvania, they do mention this flower 'specifically', as well as one other. The article very strongly hints that the Purple Coneflower - purpurea is a Pennsylvania native. Anyway, I thought you might be interested in the article. I found it interesting and you might be able to find more substantial information, to support this beautiful flower's native-ness. I would post the actual link, but don't want to get either of us in hot water with KZfaq. We all know how they can be, lol. You can however, find their website at - schyulkillcenter. org. You could probably even call/visit them and get the lowdown on their project and its progress. By the way, you're not really off topic. The license plate was created to help nature and you are just discussing the controversy surrounding it. It's a good video and, in my opinion, those people who are complaining, need to find constructive hobbies to focus on, instead of trying to stomp on efforts to help nature. Best wishes and thanks for the knowledge you share with us. 🌱

The license plate is for a good cause and I believe that should be the deciding factor.

As long as the non-native plant or insect is not considered invasive, I think it's fine to put them on the PA license plate. During the 1800's several of Pennsylvania's native trees, plants and wildlife were harvested almost to the point of extinction. With better sustainable practices and stewardship, Pennsylvania's Forests are making a come back, but look a bit different today then in the past. That's part of the evolutionary process. Any species that works with the local ecosystem is welcome in my book!

"Into the wild". If everyone only would remember the true power of plants. Love you brother. I'll never forget the few moments spent with you on a few occasions all those years ago. I knew you were special and sacred in this journey from the moment we met! Much love and gratitude always, dear brother! 💞🌿🤗

OK, so I was going to note that people need to lighten up about a lot of issues. I was also going to mention the honey bee. Thankfully Adam was on top of it. Thanks again Adam for all you do! You rock in so many ways!

Thanks, Adam. Much appreciated. Sad how even the most mundane thing can become an unforseen trigger today. Great information, as usual.

I love that “if a license plate is capable ot making a person upset then I wonder about that person's relationship meaningful challenges in life ❤

Being passionate about nature is about productive solutions not worried about mediocre nonsense. Why not be concerned about some of these giant corporations creating toxics which have a detrimental affect on our environment. Just go out and keep your green spaces free of trash? Or just learn and spread positive awareness. I'm just a concerned citizen that s all.I appreciate your channel thank you. 👍

🏵🌼🏵 Definitely NOT something to be upset over ... Thank You, Ever-So-Much; for Your hard work and sharing ALL of this knowledge ... ❤ Some folks just aren't happy unless, their panties are in a bunch .. Buncha 🌼 Whack-a-Moles ...🌼

OMG. Some people have to have something to complain about. I ignore them.

I think the program is amazing and I didn't think twice about the flower used on the plate. I saw the all the new plates posted on the Pa sub Reddit and cheered this specific plate as my particular favorite but there are of course many other good specialty plates in mix too if people want to choose one of the other programs or designs that would also help our great state 💙

Let’s walk the walk by being a good steward of what you have. A license plate won’t stop the shocking decline and possible extinction of pollinators. Love this channel!

It would helpful to set a fund (apart from the plates) to support pollinators habitat so people can deposit as much money as they are angry and even make a contest who is the angriest according to their $upport :)

Truly amazing the things some people waste their time & energy choosing to be upset about.

Thanks, again, Adam for another enlightening video. Healthy controversy always sparks conversation and learning. Keep up the good work!

The subject is pollinator habitat. Purple cone flower is a big one there. I had a small patch I planted and the butterflies bees etc were always there. Loved watching them. And yes people like that are challenged.

Climate change, kinda sounds like a natural thing doesn’t it? Thanks ADAM. WELL DONE!

Thank you, Adam. ❤You are a model of objectivity. It is quite simply a symbol of an idea, as even words are, and there will always be those who will infer more or less than is implied. I must say it is part of the human condition, enough said.🎉😊

I see purple cone flowers all along the G.A.P. bike trail, saw them yesterday up near Rockwood, always looking to identify edible foods and flowers along the trail. You taught me well, Adam. "I think some people need to get a life".

Its just me I realize, but its not anything worth getting upset about. Its a flower for Heaven's sake! Plant some!

I never once wondered if purple cone flowers were native to Missouri. They are like the orange lily-shaped flowers the grow in ditches and other odd places, they are just what I grew up with. I lump them in with Queen Anne's Lace and May Apple plants as part of living in rural Missouri. Now I wonder how wrong I was for decades... Oh, and I am not native to Missouri, I was born in California...

I'm sure all those flowers migrated there legally and are hard working pollinators!

I LOVE and Appreciate your putting this issue into a broader learning perspective, I think its Ridiculous that uninformed people get so upset over such a trivial thing.. folks should understand that the Entire earth IS a Living being and there are SO Many cycles and changes that take place over Time.. I firmly believe that this Species of flower More than Likely Was Native to PA at some point in time and Very Well May just make its way back there on its own at another point in time anyway.. I say Support the pollinators in any way possible 🥰

You are absolutely right. This is what I think. And I think that some people don’t have enough problems in their life to worry about so they make it a big issue about a license plate. How silly!

Just a note: If you want to help pollinators, plant a tulip poplar tree. Each individual blossom produces so much nectar that a honey bee can fill up their belly from one flower rather than visit a few hundred before heading back to the hive. Beekeepers rely on this tree for the majority of their honey harvest.

Some people just need something to be upset about. I'm not from Pennsylvania but it seems like a noble cause to me. Today I learned honey bees aren't native 😮 Thanks for the interesting video, keep up the great work.

Good for you Adam. My wife has a garden full of purple cone flowers. We have many, many pollinators. Just outside of Baltimore and not too far from DC that can’t be bad!

Thank you Adam for your knowledge, your patience, your research and sharing your wonderful education. I agree with you 100%. It really angers me that so many people really don't know what they're talkin about never did research and want to call every single thing not native and invasive just for the sake of arguing. those are two words I refuse to listen to. I have never seen a plant become invasive I have only seen them grow in abundance but I have never seen them take out the ecology that grows around them.. whether native or non-native I believe all plants and species are beneficial to the ecosystem. And therefore belongs in the world I live in. ❤

At least the controversy didn't have to do with the gender of insects depicted on the license plate... 😆

Dang! You did your research. Well done! People have become more concerned about invasive species, which seems to be the flip-side to native species. That being said, license plates are state issued and therefore should have the state flower represented and a firefly. A cone flower would be acceptable if it appeared as a nature organization's logo. This is just my opinion of course. 😊(I adore the purple coneflower!)

There is controversy in Southern Ontario as to whether or not Purple Coneflower was ever native here. I think it would have been better for the license plate to have a native flower instead, and a native bee. There seems to be a disconnect between native plants vs pollinators habitat unfortunately.

This is such a good video, thank you 😊

Well said, Adam. Much as I love the hoop-skirted flowers of the mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia, may I point out to those who are backing the use of PA's state flower that it is toxic, as is the honey made by bees who frequent it. It would thus be totally (you might even say 'wildly') inappropriate for this campaign. I vote to call the image E. laevigata and be done with it.

"If a nature-themed license plate has capability to make somebody upset, I wonder about that person's relationship with meaningful challenges in life." SOMEBODY CALL THE BURN WARD HOLY CRAP THAT WAS A HOT ROAST!

Thank you! Well done!

Excellent! Thank you!

I appreciate this very much. One mightbargue that we are invasive, but a flower? So so many permanently established flowers.

Speechless.

We have more important things to be angry about these days I’m sure. Thanks.

Wow, young man! You really know your stuff! I have subscribed to your channel and told my friends about this channel! Live long and prosper 🖖, y’all!

Brilliant! Well done, sir!

Good presentation of facts. Seems like a lot of people just WANT to be upset or offended. My perspective is: in the scheme of life, does it make a meaningful difference.... for Heaven's sake it's a license plate, it's purpose is about pollinators, not what you grow for their benefit.

Dang, you're amazingly thorough... Thank you.

Planting flowers for insects that are being destroyed by insecticides & herbicides avoids the elephant in the room which is the use of these highly poisonous chemicals on today's farms. Our county roads were always dependable places for milkweed to grow but now they are devoid of vegetation due to the use of herbicides & mowing. If produce in the grocery store has the tiniest blemish it tossed out.

Thank you 🤗

Beautifully reasoned and highly useful in clarifying the situation. Thanks.

Great response.

Thank you forposting this info.

Well said!

Keeping it real, thanks for sharing.

Your easy on the eyes. Great smile and you're well spoken and clearly intelligent.

Great video! Thank you❤

Thoughtful, as always. Thanks Adam!

Great job and your reasoning applies to other arguments as well- like aquifers - they know no boundaries either. It never ceases to amaze me about what some people will get all worked up over and this is a prime example.

Ty, Adam!

Great commentary. Thanks for sharing.

Very well done video. Thank you!

Love your videos, you are a wonderful teacher. missed not seeing you lately . much love and peace.

Wow. Pennsylvania, get it together. Thank you for addressing this. 💜🐝🦋

Right on Adam!