American Public Gardens Association to Designate May 7, 2010 as the Second Annual National Public Gardens Day
The American Public Gardens Association announced that it will once again team up with Rain Bird, the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, to continue its successful campaign to raise public awareness of America's public gardens and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship and education, plant and water conservation, and education in communities nationwide.
Scheduled for the Friday immediately preceding Mother's Day Weekend 2010, National Public Gardens Day will showcase the contributions of public gardens with special events and activities for schools, families, and thousands of visitors at many of the APGA's 500 member institutions.
"Bringing National Public Gardens Day into its second year is a testament to the impact each public garden was able to make in its own community," said Dan Stark, Executive Director of the APGA, "The APGA believes it is crucial to resource and deliver programs that increase awareness of our necessary role in the national conservation discussion, and the renewed support of Rain Bird and the ongoing enthusiasm of the members of the American Public Gardens Association will ensure another year of success."
During the inaugural 2009 campaign, more than 500 gardens and arboreta celebrated National Public Gardens Day. Nationwide support from newspapers, magazines, radio, television, state and local government officials, online bloggers and social media influencers, resulted in increased public awareness of the vital role public gardens play in communities.
The major national outreach included a synthesis of hundreds of public gardens that each celebrated the day in a unique and engaging way. With tools and resources provided by the American Public Gardens Association, gardens were able to leverage local media and community members to express their own local impact. Many state and local governments also recognized the importance of the occasion with official proclamations and commemorations.
About APGA
Founded in 1940, Delaware-based American Public Gardens Association is an organization devoted to strengthening the public gardens throughout North America. With more than 65 years of work increasing cooperation and awareness among the gardens, APGA has built a membership of more than 500 public gardens located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and seven other countries. Their members include public gardens as well as arboreta and zoos. APGA has also built up an international network of individual members in the U.S., Canada, and 24 other countries. The APGA is committed to increasing public awareness for public gardens and supplying resources to the industry. Through their leadership and advocacy, public gardens have become vital to public appreciation and understanding of the irreplaceable value of plants. http://www.publicgardens.org
About Rain Bird Corporation
Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry's broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico. www.rainbird.com
The American Public Gardens Association announced that it will once again team up with Rain Bird, the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, to continue its successful campaign to raise public awareness of America's public gardens and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship and education, plant and water conservation, and education in communities nationwide.
Scheduled for the Friday immediately preceding Mother's Day Weekend 2010, National Public Gardens Day will showcase the contributions of public gardens with special events and activities for schools, families, and thousands of visitors at many of the APGA's 500 member institutions.
"Bringing National Public Gardens Day into its second year is a testament to the impact each public garden was able to make in its own community," said Dan Stark, Executive Director of the APGA, "The APGA believes it is crucial to resource and deliver programs that increase awareness of our necessary role in the national conservation discussion, and the renewed support of Rain Bird and the ongoing enthusiasm of the members of the American Public Gardens Association will ensure another year of success."
During the inaugural 2009 campaign, more than 500 gardens and arboreta celebrated National Public Gardens Day. Nationwide support from newspapers, magazines, radio, television, state and local government officials, online bloggers and social media influencers, resulted in increased public awareness of the vital role public gardens play in communities.
The major national outreach included a synthesis of hundreds of public gardens that each celebrated the day in a unique and engaging way. With tools and resources provided by the American Public Gardens Association, gardens were able to leverage local media and community members to express their own local impact. Many state and local governments also recognized the importance of the occasion with official proclamations and commemorations.
About APGA
Founded in 1940, Delaware-based American Public Gardens Association is an organization devoted to strengthening the public gardens throughout North America. With more than 65 years of work increasing cooperation and awareness among the gardens, APGA has built a membership of more than 500 public gardens located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and seven other countries. Their members include public gardens as well as arboreta and zoos. APGA has also built up an international network of individual members in the U.S., Canada, and 24 other countries. The APGA is committed to increasing public awareness for public gardens and supplying resources to the industry. Through their leadership and advocacy, public gardens have become vital to public appreciation and understanding of the irreplaceable value of plants. http://www.publicgardens.org
About Rain Bird Corporation
Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry's broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico. www.rainbird.com
