Lack of transparency on how funds are spent is troubling.
This organization has been in existence and collecting grant funding and personal donations for 25 years. For the past several years, the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden has announced they would be open to the public. This still has not happened.
They have also had three separate public groundbreaking ceremonies. However, there are still no gardens to view or visit.
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- EIN 25-1648405
- info@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org
- (412) 444-4464
- 799 Pinkerton Run Road Oakdale PA 15071 USA
- www.pittsburghbotanicgarden.org
- pbgarden
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Botanical Gardens & Arboreta, Environment
Mission: The mission of The Botanic Garden of Western Pennsylvania (BGWP) is to promote and encourage horticulture and botany, conservation of natural resources, and establish an outdoor botanic garden. The Garden will set an example of stewardship by demonstrating the interdependence of plants, animals and man and our reliance on the environment, while fostering an understanding of basic botany and ecology. It will conduct research to solve horticultural and environmental problems. It will celebrate and cultivate an appreciation for the plants and landscapes of the Western Allegheny Plateau while raising horticultural standards of our area. The BGWP will develop education programs for all ages and abilities in horticulture, conservation and restoration. The Garden will provide both a place of beauty and serenity for people to reconnect with the green world through exhibits and gardens that have particular appeal to families while also having an atmosphere of excitement, fun and discovery for people of all ages. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International defines Botanic Gardens as a place that "holds documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific research, conservation, public display and education. Exploring the world of plants and their relationships, they aim to protect and sustain biodiversity for human wellbeing and the planet."
Programs: Building and reclaiming the garden:there are two major development efforts on the 460-acre site of the pittsburgh botanic garden. The first is a reclamation project that addresses the environmental problems caused by abandoned coal mines on the property. Much effort and expense are focused on removing acid mine drainage from the property and re-greening the area. The second major development effort is the development of the woodlands. This is a 60-acre parcel on the northern part of the site that opened to the public on august 1, 2014. A large scale restoration program has been underway since 2010 with over 20 acres of invasive plant species removed, 5,000 native trees, shrubs and perennials planted (and watered by a solar-powered irrigation system), a restored pond that was dead from acid mine drainage which now supports plant and animal life, three miles of trails and a handful of children's play-and-discovery stations along the trails. The development of "family moments" continued apace. Five of these children's nature play and discovery stations are complete or nearly so, creating attractions for families and children's groups throughout the woodlands. The forest stories trail unites such stations and is one of five trails now marked with easily readable signage. One of the family moments connects the woodlands to a meadow maze. The meadow itself has seen remarkable improvement in the destruction of invasive plant species and the introduction of a small native plant garden gathering space in the midst of the tall and flourishing meadow plants. The dead pond that was found in the heart of the woodlands has been restored to life and a designer for the japanese garden that will surround the pond has been identified. The renewed space is expected to draw much attention for it is uncommon for a japanese garden to be found in a larger asian woodlands setting. The innovative acid mine drainage treatment system is hidden under a zen rock garden in the early stages of development. The entrance area to the garden features the now-open bayer welcome center, new administrative office space, a historic log cabin, a restored heritage apple orchard. Outbuildings for livestock and fowl have been constructed and display gardens in the welcome center area have been planted.
outreach and education:the pittsburgh botanic garden hosted over 600 children and adults for educational programming in 2014. Teachers and group leaders have shared many stories of the positive impact the garden has had on young visitors. Experiencing pittsburgh botanic garden has eased the fears of children and youth who find the wooded outdoors a frightening place. The fun of exploring woodland bridges and storybook houses along with the opportunity to see a butterfly alight on classmates and build with giant lincoln logs, diminished their qualms. A child reduced to tears due to the distressing outdoor environment and who did not even like her feet touching the ground, became so engaged that she sat directly on the ground in the first family moment! Pittsburgh botanic garden's workforce training program focuses on youth between the age of 18 and 22. For some of these young men, it is their first exposure to outdoor work. All of them enjoy their role in building the garden and a few of them are surprised to learn that employment is possible in such a beautiful setting. The program, begun in 2011, has continued since then involving 45 young men. Work includes trail building, but also planting, invasive species removal, tool upkeep and similar tasks. The program participants have ranged from 16 to 22. For the younger set, it was their first work experience and they learned basic skills, time management and work expectations. Working alongside our site workers encouraged camaraderie and education. One of our youth left for a full time job in a landscaping crew due, in part, to his experience at the garden. Other education opportunities include meadow tours, bird watch tours, plant identifications walks, and botanist lectures.
horticultural education:program to educate public about plants that will thrive in our region and their care. Professional designers, horticulturists and master gardeners coordinate to select plants that are either native to the area, are resistant to local wildlife and/or conditions, or that will complement such plants. The garden publishes a catalog of these plants and notes on their care, and makes plants available to the public during an annual plant sale.