Learn From Your Neighbors

Our Regional Learning Series, formerly Garden Open Houses, brings expert-led, in-person professional development workshops right to you. Featuring regional host gardens, these one day events combine insightful presentations with exclusive “behind-the-scenes” tours, guided by the garden and regions’ own experts and staff. With topics tailored to each garden’s unique mission, you’re sure to find valuable insights.

2026 Events

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum_Scott C. Soderberg
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and
Nichols Arboretum
Ann Arbor, MI
October 6, 2026
Brookgreen Gardens_wild area
Brookgreen Gardens
Murrells Inlet, SC
October 9, 2026
Brookside Gardens_Aerial Conservatory Formal Gardens
Brookside Gardens
Wheaton, MD
October 16, 2026
Tohono Chul_Peniocereus greggii
Tohono Chul
Tucson, AZ
November 13, 2026
Focus: Plant Collections and Management

Registration is open!

Focus: Plant Curation, Conservation, and Horticulture

Registration is open!

Focus: Next Generation Green


Registration is open!

Focus: Activating Living Collections

Registration is open!

Learn More & register
Learn More & Register
Learn More & Register
Learn More & Register

Past Events

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Pittsburgh, PA
September 26, 2025
Southern Highlands Reserve
Southern Highlands Reserve
Lake Toxaway, NC
October 3, 2025
Bellevue Botanic Garden
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Bellevue, WA
October 10, 2025

Focus: Behind-the-Scenes Operations

Focus: Native Plants & Horticulture

Focus: Interpretation

Learn More
Learn More
Learn More

Interested in hosting? Benefits include:

1.

Showcasing your garden and highlight unique facilities, programs, and approaches.

2.

Highlighting the work of your staff and provide for peer-to-peer recognition of accomplishments.

3.

Cultivating connections between your staff and staff from other gardens.

4.

Gathering fellow garden leaders to address regional challenges and opportunities.

“ It was a great team building exercise for our staff to plan the day and create presentations and horticultural exhibits for their peers. Nothing like having garden peers to your site for the day to provide incentive to do your best work! It also exceeded our expectations in building relationships with garden staff from throughout our city, state and region—many of whom we would have never met without hosting an Open House.”

Maureen Heffernan, Former President/ CEO, Myriad Botanical Gardens

Interested in Hosting a Regional Learning Series at Your Garden?

Download our Why Host an Event guide to learn more. Or, contact Associate Director of Professional Development, Lauren Garcia Chance, at LChance@publicgardens.org.

Why Host an Event?
APGA logo icon

Interested in Sponsoring a Regional Learning Series?

Download our most recent Giving Guide to learn more and review the important details. To speak with someone directly, send an inquiry email to sponsorships@publicgardens.org.

2025 Giving Guide

Past Regional Learning Series

(Formerly known as Garden Open Houses)

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative,
Brooklyn, NY
September 27, 2024
Buffalo Trace Distillery – Blanton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
July 25, 2024
Gardens at Golden Gate State Park,
San Francisco, CA
March 4, 2024
Myriad Botanical Gardens,
Oklahoma City, OK
February 20, 2024
Bok Tower Gardens,
Lake Wales, FL
October 19, 2023
New York Botanical Garden,
Bronx, NY
September 8, 2023
South Coast Botanic Garden,
Palos Verdes, Peninsula, CA
April 28, 2023
Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories & Arboretum, Charlotte, NC
November 4, 2022