Planting for Public Health and Safety

See important Philadelphia public gardens that are planted and maintained by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). PHS staff members discuss design, planting, and maintenance of urban gardens that contribute to a city’s vitality. Examine issues faced by large cities, including low tree canopy, vacant lots, and lack of green community spaces, as well as what can be done — from a planning standpoint — to provide environmental equity to residents.

Tour key tree-planting sites and learn about the scientific, health, and environmental benefits of increasing urban tree canopies. Visit community gardens and remediated vacant lots to discuss why they are important as cultural and social hubs. University of Pennsylvania researchers present scientific data that show why greening in urban environments contributes to healthier, safer neighborhoods.

The bulk of PHS’s work advances the health and well-being of communities in underserved and historically disinvested communities. This tour showcases direct implementation in these neighborhoods. PHS leaders discuss the opportunities and scalability of simple green interventions and their impacts on underserved communities. Leave with a deeper understanding of how green spaces that are simple by design can have large effects on neighborhoods.

This workshop includes walking two miles.