The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is proud to announce that Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been selected as the location for the 32nd annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) Signature Site celebration on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
Each year, NEEF partners with a public lands site to host the NPLD Signature Event, offering participants the chance to engage in meaningful conservation work, celebrate public lands, and enjoy educational activities at an iconic American outdoor space. This year, Bartram’s Garden, a free public park and North America’s oldest surviving botanic garden, will host the event for the first time in its 134-year history.
“This year’s theme for NPLD, ‘Our Home Outdoors,’ is a reminder that public lands are not just physical spaces, but where we come together, feel rooted, and develop a sense of place,” said Sara Espinoza, president and CEO of NEEF. “Bartram’s Garden exhibits this through their commitment to stewardship, community-focused approach, and status as a living connection between America’s past, present, and future.”
This year’s theme for NPLD, ‘Our Home Outdoors,’ is a reminder that public lands are not just physical spaces, but where we come together, feel rooted, and develop a sense of place.
Sara Espinoza, president and CEO of NEEF
Located on the banks of the Schuylkill River, this 50-acre green space is named for American botanist, horticulturist, and explorer John Bartram, who established his home and garden there in 1728. The site remained in Bartram’s family until it was designated as a public park by the City of Philadelphia in 1891, and a National Historic Landmark in 1960. The park now welcomes more than 125,000 visitors each year as a space for recreation, relaxation, and education on native plants and the history of Southwest Philadelphia.
“We are honored to be a NPLD signature site, rooted deeply in the heart of our Southwest community,” said Maitreyi Roy, executive director of Bartram’s Garden. “In a city like Philadelphia, public lands are more than green space—they're places for healing, learning, and joyful connection. We are excited to celebrate National Public Lands Day and to welcome volunteers who are passionate about caring for these spaces and strengthening the bonds that make our neighborhoods thrive.”
This Event is Open to the Public
The public is invited to attend a special celebration of National Public Lands Day at Bartram's Garden beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, September 27. Attendees can work alongside staff on seasonal plantings, harvesting, and invasive species removal. After, volunteers can enjoy free beverages, an exclusive raffle sponsored by Teva®, and NEEF custom tote bags—all designed to enhance their experience at this historic riverside oasis.
Visitors are invited to explore the grounds at their own pace, take in the beauty of the landscape, and stick around after the main event for free boating on the Schuylkill River. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning guest, it's the perfect opportunity to unwind and connect with nature in one of Philadelphia's most treasured green spaces.
This event is just one of hundreds happening across the country on Saturday, September 27. For more information about National Public Lands Day, including how to find volunteer events in your area, please visit our National Public Lands Day page.