Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
September 26, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (ET)
799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15071
About
Member Price: $99 USD
Online registration and the deadline for refunds for this event closed September 25, 2025. Refunds are no longer available for cancellations or no-shows.
Non-Member Price: $199 USD
Focus: Behind-the-Scenes of Operations
Making it Fun! As a young garden, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden strives for excellence while providing modern, playful experiences for staff and visitors alike. Public gardens are known to be places of serenity and learning; however, it is equally important to give people a place to have simple fun. During this Regional Learning Day, participants will get insight into strategies the Garden uses through thoughtful programming, employee enrichment, and community engagement that enable fun!
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM – Meet & Greet. Welcome remarks by Executive Director, Keith Kaiser.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Learn the rich history of the Garden along with the process and a few highlights of the Master Plan 2025 from Directors Mark Miller & Keith Kaiser. Also hear from the Employee Enrichment Committee Chair, Gina Walter, to learn how “making it fun” is not only for our visitors, but for Staff & Volunteers as well!
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM – Garden Tours, choose one:
- Fun with Field Trips & Drop-In Programs: During this hands-on tour, participants will learn about the Garden’s field trip and drop-in programs as well as the efforts the education team makes to ensure visitors have fun while they learn. Along the way, we will visit the Lotus Pond for pond dipping and the Garden of the Five Senses to participate in an example drop-in program.
Led by Education Manager, Gina Walter & Youth Educator Sarah Levinthal
- Gardens & Woodlands – Developed and Growing: Come along for a tour of the various woodlands and display gardens to see how Pittsburgh Botanic Garden has evolved into a fun and unique public garden, while keeping true to its historical and scientific values. Learn about the plant collections, environmental efforts to restore the site, and how these landscapes have flourished over time into exemplary attractions.
Led by Executive Director, Keith Kaiser
- Elevating the Visitor Experience: Join the Visitor Experience & Events team to see how they welcome various communities to Pittsburgh Botanic Garden! This tour will include a behind-the-scenes look at the Welcome Center operations, including the Canopy Café and Forage & Finds gift shop, as well as at the Garden’s event spaces.Led by Visitor Experience & Events Director, Colleen Chorney, Visitor Experience Manager, JoAnna Thomas, and Events Manager, Noel Nicoletta
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Lunch & Break: Time to visit areas of interest
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – Presentations, choose one
- Membership, Marketing, and Mission: Engaging the Public: The External Relations Department engages the public through mission-focused programs, materials, and campaigns. This session will examine Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s approach to member and visitor engagement, events, digital media, and outreach.
Presented by Membership Manager, Julie Carlino & Marketing Manager, Nate Reese.
- How Art Exhibitions Enhance the Garden: This session will highlight the art exhibitions and traveling exhibits Pittsburgh Botanic Garden has hosted in the past and look towards upcoming exhibits through the lens of interpretive themes and the Garden’s mission. Included will be examples of impactful art exhibits and the fun programs and receptions that go along with them.
Presented by Education & Exhibits Director, Mark Miller & Education Manager, Gina Walter
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM – Break
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Join us out in the Garden’s Festival Lawn for continued opportunity to see, hear & share ideas about ways your garden makes it fun.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Attendees are free to enjoy the Gardens
Please note that the above schedule is subject to change.
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is a qualified caretaker for 460 acres of southwest Pennsylvania’s land and water. In addition to ongoing conservation efforts such as mitigating acid mine drainage and reforestation projects, the Garden provides 65 acres of cultivated gardens and woodlands for the public to connect to plants. Through this innate experience: young minds are engaged, gardeners are inspired, and all visitors find a sense of calm.
This year, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is celebrating its 10th anniversary of welcoming visitors to explore the diverse landscapes of the Allegheny Plateau.
