PHS and William Penn Foundation Put Spotlight on Water at 2018 PHS Flower Show

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1 PHS and William Penn Foundation Put Spotlight on Water at 2018 PHS Flower Show Inaugural Philadelphia Water Summit and Windows on the Watershed Exhibit to Explore Water Conservation and Sustainable Solutions PHILADELPHIA As part of their larger mission to help keep the region s precious waters clean, PHS and the William Penn Foundation will be exploring the Wonders of Water during the 2018 Philadelphia Flower Show at the first-ever Philadelphia Water Summit on March 7th and through their immersive exhibit about the Delaware River Watershed, Windows on the Watershed. PHS, with support from the William Penn Foundation, has assembled an extraordinary gathering of multi-disciplinary visionaries from across the country to participate in the Water Summit at the 2018 Flower Show. Speakers will engage with the audience on wide-ranging themes that relate to the use and management of urban water supply, rivers, wetlands, stormwater and even the search for water in outer space. Placing these and other topics in the context of citizen activism, attendees will discover why clean water crises still occur in the United States and learn practical ways to combat them. Anchored by captivating keynote presentations, the all-day Water Summit will feature leading environmental and industry experts from throughout the U.S. discussing freshwater issues and real-world solutions. Participating speakers include: Mary Ellen Weber, Ph.D., NASA Astronaut, Water in Space Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers, Rivers Connect Us: Challenges and Success in Protecting and Restoring Rivers for Clean Water Glen J. Abrams, AICP, Senior Director of Planning and Sustainable Communities, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 1

2 Bill Kunze, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Chapter, The Nature Conservancy, Greening Stormwater in Philadelphia, Creating a Model for Cities Around the World Tylar Greene, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region; and, Lamar Gore, Refuge Manager at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, All about the People: Providing Access to Water Resources John Jackson, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at the Stroud Water Research Center, Stream Pollution: A Local Issue with Regional and National Implications Christopher Streb, PE, LEED AP Ecological Engineer for Biohabitats, Floating Wetlands: An Ecosystem Prosthetic for Clean Water Michele Adams, P.E., Water Resources Engineer and Founder of Meliora Environmental Design, Maintaining the Water Balance: Our Footprints and Handprints Dr. Danielle Kreeger, Senior Science Director for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE), Investing in Nature s Hidden Gardens to Promote Cleaner Water and Healthier Communities Patricia Johanson, American artist, Water Infrastructure Re-Imagined: The Beauty of Ecological Parks and Sculpture that Mimic Natural Systems Marc Cammarata, Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Environmental Services at the Philadelphia Water Department, The City of Philadelphia s Green City, Clean Waters Plan Matt Rader, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Chris Crockett, Vice President and Chief Environmental Officer, Aqua America, Water Resources: How We Can Solve Today s Challenges in the Future Carol R. Collier, Senior Advisor, Watershed Management and Policy at the Academy of Natural Sciences and Director of the Environmental Studies and Sustainability Program at Drexel University; and, Robert McCracken Peck, 2

3 Senior Fellow of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, The Legacy of Dr. Ruth Patrick Andrew Johnson, Watershed Protection Program Director, William Penn Foundation The reasons for convening the Water Summit are wide-ranging, however the importance of focusing on water is best captured by featured speaker, consultant and accomplished skydiver Mary Ellen Weber, PhD.: Water is especially important to me as a NASA Astronaut. Not only was it a precious resource during my space travels, but all astronauts are tantalized by the possibility of life on other worlds, and the eternal quest for such life always begins with the search for water. Philadelphia and neighboring regions have a deeply rooted connection to water. The Delaware River is the longest undammed river east of the Mississippi, flowing approximately 330 miles before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This watershed is home to thousands of native species of plants and animals and provides clean drinking water to 17 million people, from New York to Delaware. The Schuylkill River is a major contributor to the Delaware Estuary and is an important fish habitat and source of Philadelphia s drinking water. Windows on the Watershed brings ecological lessons and stories to life within our own complex ecosystem: the Delaware River Watershed. This exhibit will reveal the quiet jewels of the ecosystem from headwaters to confluence that often go unnoticed, drawing our attention to the many ways that nature is designed to protect itself. Visitors trace a path through plantings that highlight the ecological heroes in each type of habitat the powerhouse plants and trees that play significant roles in helping to keep our rivers and streams healthy while supporting the biological needs of countless different species as the web of life unfolds. Photographer Nick D Amico will transport visitors via windows out into the watershed with iconic imagery capturing a day in the life of the Delaware River from sunrise in the 3

4 mountains to sunset along the coastal plains. A site-specific sculptural installation by Stacy Levy will submerge visitors in a watery world, guiding them through the exhibit by way of hundreds of vertical transparent tubes recalling the collected colors of water. Visitors will learn of our greatest natural allies in the clean water movement, our plant and tree superheroes, as well as the regional initiatives for clean water protection and revitalization where each land use area has inherent jewels and unique threats that need to be balanced for the benefit of all living things. At the Summit and through Windows on the Watershed and other innovative exhibits, visitors to this year s Flower Show will gain a greater understanding that fresh water is a finite and essential resource that needs to be protected and restored through creative, inter-disciplinary collaboration, says Matt Rader, President, PHS. The goal of our efforts, with the support of the William Penn Foundation, is to provide visitors with actionable ideas and strategies they can use to begin water conservation projects in their own backyards and neighborhoods. The 2018 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, Wonders of Water, will celebrate the beauty and life-sustaining interplay of horticulture and water on March 3 to 11, 2018, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. ABOUT THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through efforts that increase educational opportunities for children from low-income families, ensure a sustainable environment, foster creativity that enhances civic life, and advance philanthropy in the Philadelphia region. In partnership with others, the Foundation works to advance opportunity, ensure sustainability, and enable effective solutions. Since inception, the Foundation has made nearly 10,000 grants totaling over $1.6 billion. The Foundation s assets exceed $2.3 billion as of March 31,

5 ABOUT THE FLOWER SHOW The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation's largest and longest-running horticultural event, and features stunning displays by the world s premier floral and landscape designers. Started in 1829 by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the show introduces the newest plant varieties, garden and design concepts, and organic and sustainable practices. In addition to the major garden displays, the Flower Show hosts world-renowned competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and demonstrations, special events, and the citywide Bloom Philly celebration. The Philadelphia Flower Show has been honored as the best event in the world by the International Festivals & Events Association, competing with events such as the Kentucky Derby Festival, Tournament of Roses Parade, Indianapolis 500 Festival, and other international celebrations. The Premier Sponsor of the 2018 Flower Show is Subaru, and the Exclusive Sponsor is Bank of America. Official Sponsors are AARP, ACME, Aqua America, Bartlett Tree Experts, Belgard and Green Mountain Energy. Supporting Sponsors are AARP Medicare Supplement Plans insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Hartley Botanic, STIHL and SugarHouse Casino. Contributing Sponsors are Bath Fitter, Cruise Planners, Cutco, Global Home Improvement, Homespire Windows and Doors, KIND Snacks, LeafFilter, Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing, Oasis Floral Products, Renewal by Andersen, Stash Tea, Verizon Fios and Vitro Plus. Official Media Partner is 6ABC. For more information about the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show and to purchase tickets, visit theflowershow.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ABOUT PHS The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 1827, whose programs connect people to horticulture and collaboratively creates 5

6 beautiful, healthy and sustainable communities. PHS s best known activities include the Philadelphia Flower Show, street tree planting and maintenance, community gardening, public beautification, and the PHS Pop Up Gardens. PHS is supported by individual members and supporters, foundations, partners and government grants. PHS programs bring together people from diverse backgrounds to engage in horticultural projects that advance social equity, environmental sustainability, and urban livability. For information and to support our work, visit PHSonline.org. MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Feeley, PHS Communications Manager, , mobile , kfeeley@pennhort.org 6