HR 167 — A Resolution recognizing May 9 through 18, 2025, as "Go Public Gardens Days" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   1223

                    THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 167
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY SAPPEY, WAXMAN, MADDEN, GUENST, HILL-EVANS,
        HANBIDGE, GIRAL, FREEMAN, STEELE, OTTEN, SANCHEZ, BOROWSKI
        AND NEILSON, APRIL 1, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
        PROTECTION, APRIL 1, 2025


                                A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing May 9 through 18, 2025, as "Go Public Gardens Days"
 2      in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, "Go Public Gardens Days" is an ongoing initiative to
 4   drive the public to visit, value and volunteer at public
 5   gardens; and
 6      WHEREAS, Public gardens comprise botanical gardens, arboreta,
 7   cemeteries, zoological gardens, sculpture gardens, college and
 8   university campuses, historical homes, urban greening
 9   organizations, natural areas and Federal, State, county and city
10   parks; and
11      WHEREAS, "PA Gardens" represents a diverse coalition of
12   Pennsylvania's public horticulture organizations and its vision
13   is to create opportunities for every Pennsylvanian to engage
14   with and benefit from organizations providing public
15   horticulture experiences throughout their communities; and
16      WHEREAS, Public gardens are essential drivers of workforce
17   and economic development, supporting more than 2,000 full-time
 1   employees in this Commonwealth, driving more than $500 million
 2   into this Commonwealth's economy and supporting $164 million in
 3   combined operating budgets; and
 4      WHEREAS, Public gardens in this Commonwealth welcome more
 5   than 4.2 million visitors annually, which is on par with
 6   professional sports league attendance; and
 7      WHEREAS, One third of these visitors are from out of town,
 8   producing millions in visitor spending throughout our
 9   communities; and
10      WHEREAS, Public gardens are vital to feeding humanity and
11   bring together diverse expertise, approaches and solutions that
12   are essential for biodiversity in food and agriculture; and
13      WHEREAS, Public gardens are involved in education and
14   research and development efforts that bring together schools,
15   government, industry and nonprofits to cultivate a healthy world
16   through landscapes, gardens and plants; and
17      WHEREAS, Public gardens prioritize open green space and
18   conservation by preserving thousands of acres of natural
19   resources through conservation, restored forests, improved
20   watersheds and healthy private working lands; and
21      WHEREAS, Public gardens have a positive impact on personal
22   health and well-being; and
23      WHEREAS, Studies have shown that connecting people to plants
24   and the outdoors boosts well-being by providing many physical,
25   emotional and social benefits; therefore be it
26      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
27   week of May 9 through 18, 2025, as "Go Public Gardens Days" in
28   Pennsylvania.




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