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2012 National Children & Youth Garden

Symposium


Alexandria, VA (May 15, 2012) More than 500 people attended the American Horticultural Society’s (AHS) first symposium on “Children, Plants, and Gardens: Educational Opportunities,” in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in 1993. This forum for promoting garden-based teaching and learning was so enthusiastically embraced by the parents, teachers, garden designers, school principals, and public garden education specialists who attended that it became an annual event held in a different city each year. This year, the 20th annual Symposium will return to where it all started in the greater Washington, D.C. area, with the University of Maryland’s College Park campus serving as the headquarters from July 19-21.


Holly Shimizu, executive director of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) in Washington, D.C., will give the opening keynote presentation. Other inspiring keynotes will be given by Wendy Blackwell, director of education for the National Children’s Museum, and horticulturist and historical re-enactor Kirk Brown, who will personify one of America’s greatest botanists and explorers, John Bartram.


Other highlights of the 2012 Symposium include dozens of exciting educational sessions to choose from, a diverse array of field study experiences, and a special celebration of the event’s 20th anniversary and its influence on two generations of educators. Teachers, garden designers, youth program leaders, children’s gardening advocates, and others from across the nation will also have the opportunity to exchange ideas and trade success stories.


One day of the Symposium will be held at Hollin Meadows Science and Math Focus School in Alexandria, Virginia. This school has so effectively embraced gardening in its curriculum that in 2009 it merited a visit from First Lady Michelle Obama, who has become an advocate for improving young people’s health through gardening and other active outdoor activities. Symposium attendees will tour the school’s gardens and the students will be on hand to give demonstrations.


In addition to the day at Hollin Meadows, study tours will visit Coolidge High School Greenhouse Garden & Outdoor Classroom and several other D.C. school gardens. Other opportunities to experience exemplary gardens and programs in the area include tours of the USBG, The People’s Garden, and the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. A special garden party at the AHS’s River Farm headquarters will include the chance to explore the children’s garden there that was created in conjunction with the first symposium 20 years ago. David Mallet also will perform his Garden Song (“inch by inch, row by row”), which has become an American folk favorite sung around the world.


One of the biggest supporters of the 1993 symposium was the Burpee Foundation, which is a presenting sponsor of the 20th annual event. Other 2012 sponsors include Bonnie Plants, Espoma, Simply Beautiful, Terra Design Studios, Renee’s Garden, Storey Publishing, Timber Press, and the Horticulture Therapy Institute.


“As the only national, annual educational event that explores the influence of gardens in the lives of children and youth,” says AHS Executive Director Tom Underwood, “the symposium is where passionate youth gardening advocates can network, gain professional development, and share best practices for engaging today’s young people.”


Space is limited so early registration is recommended. Discounts are available for AHS members, students, and registrations received by June 1. Visit www.ahs.org/ncygs, email education@ahs.org, or call (703) 768-5700 ext. 121 for more information.


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The American Horticultural Society (AHS), founded in 1922, is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making America a nation of gardeners, a land of gardens. The mission of the AHS is to open the eyes of all Americans to the vital connection between people and plants, to inspire all Americans to become responsible caretakers of the Earth, to celebrate America’s diversity through the art and science of horticulture; and to lead this effort by sharing the Society’s unique national resources with all Americans.


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