Our Partners

The Association partners with governmental and non-profit organizations to further our mission.

United States Forest Service

The mission of the United States Forest Service is “To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.” Its motto is “Caring for the land and serving people.”

The American Public Gardens Association and United States Forest Service share an agreement to mutually promote programs and allow The American Public Gardens Association member institutions to collect plants on United States Forest Service Lands for research and collections expeditions.

United States Department of Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive, to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world, and to preserve our Nation’s natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

National Pollinator Garden Network

The National Pollinator Garden Network (NPGN) is an unprecedented collaboration of 26 national, regional, conservation and gardening organizations in support of the President’s Executive Strategy to “Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators.” The Network launched The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge to mobilize America’s extensive gardening community and support them in making more native and non-invasive pollen and nectar producing plants available in their gardens.

United States Botanic Garden

In 2020, the U.S. Botanic Garden and the American Public Gardens Association initiated the Urban Agriculture Resilience Program.

Having established a strong foundation of public garden engagement in community-based urban agriculture collaborations, the Urban Agriculture Resilience Program is poised to pilot a new component focused on growing urban agriculture capacity and leadership in the public gardens community.

Our Corporate Partners support the public horticulture sector.

Bartlett Tree Experts

Bartlett Tree Experts helps customers maintain healthy trees and shrubs through services including pruning, fertilization, soil analysis, pest and disease management, cabling and bracing, tree lightning protection systems, and tree/stump removal. With an experienced staff of arborists as well as a unique scientific research facility, Bartlett offers unparalleled expertise, innovation, and service in the arboricultural industry.

BHS Insurance

BHS Insurance (Berends Hendricks Stuit) insures over 100 public gardens across the United States. Working closely with the American Public Gardens Association, BHS has focused on meeting the unique and sometimes challenging needs of public gardens. Kim Slager and Jessica Duval are committed to providing comprehensive coverage along with valuable services and support to our garden clients. Kim and Jessica’s approach is service centric, starting with a risk assessment to identify areas in safety, compliance, human resources, and overall corporate culture. Understanding the importance of safe spaces and positive visitor experiences, the insurance and risk management program is built with the goal of providing an appropriate, responsive insurance program, claims management protocol, risk mitigation, contractual risk transfer guidance and accident investigation planning. Every day brings new opportunities and experiences – It’s about the people and the impact we can make to help each public garden succeed.

Contact: Kim (616)-261-7322, kslager@bhsins.com or Jessica (616) 338-7414, jduval@bhsins.com.