Oldest Botanic Garden in North America to Host Significant Event for 2025 National Public Lands Day
Bartram's Garden, a historic botanic garden located on the banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, will host the 32nd annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) Signature Site celebration on Saturday, September 27, 2025. This event, starting at 9:30 a.m. ET, is open to the public and promises a day filled with conservation work, community celebration, and educational activities.
Established by John Bartram, an American botanist, horticulturist, and explorer, in 1728, Bartram's Garden now welcomes over 125,000 visitors annually as a space for recreation, relaxation, and education on native plants and the history of Southwest Philadelphia. The site, designated as a public park by the City of Philadelphia in 1891 and a National Historic Landmark in 1960, will host the NPLD Signature Event for the first time in its 134-year history.
The theme for NPLD 2025 is 'Our Home Outdoors,' emphasising that public lands are not just physical spaces but places where people come together, feel rooted, and develop a sense of place. Participants can engage in hands-on outdoor activities such as working alongside staff on seasonal plantings, harvesting, and invasive species removal.
After the work sessions, volunteers can celebrate the day together. Social or community-building events are likely to be organised, offering opportunities to enjoy free beverages, an exclusive raffle sponsored by Teva®, and NEEF custom tote bags.
Visitors are invited to explore the grounds at their own pace during the event, taking in the beauty of the landscape at Bartram's Garden. The event will take place at a site named for John Bartram, the garden's founder.
This event is one of hundreds happening across the country on September 27, 2025, for National Public Lands Day. For more information about National Public Lands Day, including how to find volunteer events in your area, visit the National Public Lands Day page.
Sara Espinoza, the president and CEO of NEEF, looks forward to the event, stating, "Bartram's Garden is a perfect example of how public lands can serve as both a haven for nature and a gathering place for the community. We're thrilled to bring the National Public Lands Day celebration to this historic site."
So, if you're looking for a way to contribute to the conservation of public lands while enjoying a day out in one of Philadelphia's most beautiful green spaces, mark your calendars for September 27, 2025. No specific registration details are provided, so it is advisable to visit Bartram’s Garden’s official website or contact them directly for any volunteer registration or preparation requirements. After the main event, free boating on the Schuylkill River is available for visitors, making it a day not to be missed!
- Bartram's Garden, a historical botanic garden in Philadelphia, is hosting the 32nd annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) Signature Site event, emphasizing environmental education and conservation on public lands.
- The theme for NPLD 2025, 'Our Home Outdoors', encourages participants to engage in hands-on activities such as seasonal plantings, harvesting, and invasive species removal, followed by community-building events.
- In addition to the conservation work, visitors can explore the grounds, learn about native plants, and immerse themselves in the history of Southwest Philadelphia, making it a perfect blend of environmental-science, lifestyle, and home-and-garden experience.
- Following the main event, volunteers and visitors can celebrate together with free beverages, a Teva® sponsored raffle, and NEEF custom tote bags, before enjoying a free boating experience on the Schuylkill River, concluding an enriching day at Bartram's Garden.
