HARRISBURG, PA — On Wednesday, May 14, State Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, joined representatives from public gardens statewide at the Capitol to stress the economic, environmental, and educational impact of Pennsylvania’s public gardens.
The event coincided with the Pennsylvania House’s recent adoption of H.R. 167, a resolution sponsored by Sappey that recognizes May 9-18, 2025, as “Go Public Gardens Days” in Pennsylvania. Organized by the Pennsylvania Public Gardens Coalition, the event provided Capitol visitors with information about native species gardening, pollinator conservation, and sustainable landscaping practices. Complimentary items like seed packets and flowers were also distributed.
“Pennsylvania’s public gardens and public horticulture institutions preserve thousands of acres of natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands,” said Sappey. “They bring many benefits, including education, community partnerships and development, research, agricultural cultivation, tourism, and conservation. They also provide a place of beauty as they connect all of us with life-affirming plants.”
The coalition emphasized that the state’s public gardens attract approximately 4.2 million visitors annually and play a vital role in biodiversity, agriculture, and job creation. Public gardens range from botanical collections and arboreta to historical sites and urban greening projects, all serving as vital hubs for environmental education and community engagement.
Thomas Smarr Jr., executive director of Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens in Devon, PA, and president of the Pennsylvania Public Gardens Coalition, commended Sappey’s dedication to promoting public gardens. He noted the coalition’s ongoing efforts to highlight their impact in a coordinated way over the past six years.
Participating organizations included Longwood Gardens, Phipps Conservatory, Hershey Gardens, and Chanticleer, among others, each contributing to the state’s network of gardens and natural spaces that champion conservation, education, and public enjoyment.
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