The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s US chapter and the Embassy of Monaco in Washington, DC will partner on the first ever “Gardening for Biodiversity Symposium sponsored by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation” during the 2020 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show. The full-day session will be held on Wednesday, March 4 from 8:30 am to 5 pm at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and will feature keynote speaker Dr. Peter Raven, the 2018 Hubbard Medal recipient from National Geographic and internationally renowned botanist, along with other leading biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability professionals.
“The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation works tirelessly to promote biodiversity around the world and raise awareness surrounding environmental concerns,” said PHS President Matt Rader. “PHS uses horticulture to promote sustainability and advance health and well-being in the Greater Philadelphia region. We are excited for this partnership this year and the foundation’s involvement in both the symposium and the 2020 Philadelphia Flower Show.”
The symposium will feature a variety of environmental subjects, with presentations such as “Global Perspective on Biodiversity” and “How to Foster Biodiversity in Individual Gardens and Landscapes.” Noteworthy speakers will provide compelling content on the state of biodiversity across the globe during engaging 20-minute talks that address environmental issues of today. PHS experts, as along with those of environmental organizations, botanic gardens, nonprofits, government institutions, entrepreneurs, and research firms will be featured throughout the day.
Presenters will share ways that individuals can help conserve and foster biodiversity, and introduce accessible gardening techniques, plant varieties, and citizen science projects happening in public gardens in the Mid-Atlantic region. Innovative projects happening in public spaces relating to native plants, pollinators, wildlife, and garden design will educate attendees. Gardeners, conservationists, and environmental enthusiasts at all levels will take away new information, best practices, and actions they can take in their home or commercial gardens.
Additional featured speakers will include Dr. Dennis Whigham, Senior Botanist, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and Founding Director, North American Orchid Conservation Center, as well as Nico Wissing and Lodewijk Hoekstra of NL Greenlabel from the Netherlands, and Dr. Colin Averill of Crowther Lab.
"The US chapter of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, along with the Embassy of Monaco in Washington, D.C., are proud to be the inaugural sponsors of the Biodiversity Symposium this year," said John B. Kelly III, the president of the US chapter of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. “Our esteemed speakers from the Smithsonian Institution, NL Greenlabel and Crowther Lab, among others, will each demonstrate how sustainable gardening methods and biodiversity conservation help to protect the environment across the globe."
Keynote speaker Dr. Peter Raven has spent a lifetime fighting for the planet, biodiversity, and conservation. He was described by Time as a “Hero for the Planet” and spent 40 years at the Missouri Botanical Garden that, under his direction, became a world-class center for botanical research, conservation, education, and horticulture display. Dr. Raven has also taught at prestigious universities throughout the country, including Stanford and Washington University in St. Louis.
Dr. Raven has amassed a long list of awards and honorary degrees and published various leading textbooks and research papers on botany and conservation. Among his honors are an honorary doctorate from Harvard University, and the 2018 Hubbard Medal that is described as “National Geographic’s highest honor, [recognizing] lifetime achievement in research, discovery, and exploration.”
Tickets for the PHS Gardening for Biodiversity Symposium are $100 before February 5th, and include a light breakfast, admission to the Flower Show, and a reception after the event. Tickets for the symposium only are $75 before February 5th. After February 5th, tickets are $115 and $85, respectively. Tickets can be purchased at theflowershow.com/biodiversity.