The American Public Gardens Association is proud to share our 2025 Year in Review—a celebration of a dynamic year shaped by connection, collaboration, and progress. Thank you to our members, partners, sponsors, and supporters for being an essential part of our journey. We are equally honored to be part of yours.
We began the year in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, with our annual staff retreat, reconnecting in person and touring member gardens while engaging in in-depth discussions around our Strategic Plan 2030.
This year, we launched a new advocacy department and appointed former Marketing and Communications Manager Richard Doran to lead the effort in a newly created role as advocacy associate director.
The department has already amplified the voice of public gardens, securing the expansion of the 529 Career Savings Account and joining peer organizations to file an amicus brief opposing an Executive Order that would have defunded the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
For the second year in a row, we hosted the #GoPublicGardensDays2025 Photo Scavenger Hunt, inviting staff and visitors to member gardens to explore and celebrate their local public gardens through social media. Dozens of our members participated and invited their visitors to join in the fun.
In June, we gathered in Denver, Colorado, for the 2025 APGA Annual Conference. The conference featured inspiring educational sessions and memorable evening events hosted at member gardens. We had 925 members join us in Denver and attend the 144 educational sessions. During the conference, CEO Michelle Provaznik officially launched APGA’s Strategic Plan 2030 and welcomed member input.
We also made several staffing transitions. After 13 years of service, Dorothea Coleman retired as managing editor of Public Garden magazine. We welcomed Bethany May as the new marketing and communications manager and Angel Collins as administrative assistant and board liaison under our CEO.
The Association published four quarterly Public Garden magazines this past year, reaching more than 13,700 readers. The publication amplified the voices of 37 member authors from 32 organizations while providing expert insights and valuable opportunities for members to build professional credibility.
Our professional development department hosted 40 free webinars, attracting 2,639 attendees. In addition, our communities held 26 free town halls for public garden professionals to connect with and share ideas, with a total of 722 participants. APGA also organized four in-person Symposiums, three Regional Learning Series across the country, and two Summits.
As we look ahead, we are excited to gather and see you all in San Francisco for the 2026 APGA Annual Conference. Thank you for your continued support and for championing public gardens in your communities. We wish you a healthy, successful, and inspiring New Year in 2026.
