Pennsylvania Native Species Day

We’re proudly joining others in recognizing the fifth annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day, which we’re celebrating on May 16, 2026, with a variety of walks and talks, as well as opportunities to meet representatives from native species-focused organizations.

Established by the Pennsylvania Invasive Species Council in 2022, Pennsylvania Native Species Day seeks to celebrate the state’s diverse native species and increase Pennsylvanians’ understanding of the importance of protecting them against the proliferation of invasive species.

Please note: To provide an enjoyable experience, capacity is limited for our walks and talks.

Can’t join one of our walks? You can find many beautiful native plants in our Meadow Garden, Forest Walk, and Peirce’s Woods. Find out more on our blog.

Activities and Locations

Join us walks and talks to learn more about how you can use native plants in your own landscape.

Meet Native Species-Focused Organizations

10:00 am-4:00 pm
Outside of the Peirce-du Pont House
Talk with representatives from Longwood and other local organizations about their work.

Scavenger Hunt

10:00 am-4:00 pm
Throughout the Gardens
Explore the landscape with a bingo-style scavenger hunt featuring native plants, animals, fungi, habitats, and ecological interactions. Complete the hunt and stop by the School and Youth tent before 4:00 pm to claim a prize. While supplies last.

Birding Tour

60-minute tour at 10:30 am
Meet: outside the entrance of Peirce-du Pont house
Longwood is home to more than 200 species of resident and migratory birds, and our expert volunteers have been observing them since the 1970s. Join our Bird Survey volunteers for a walk in Peirce’s Woods and learn tips for how to identify wild birds.

Native Plant Giveaway

11:00 am-4:00 pm
Outside the Peirce-du Pont House at Land Stewardship and Ecology table
Take home a native plant to grow in your home garden. While supplies last.

Spotlight Tours

30-minute tours at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm
Sign up at Peirce-du Pont House Information Desk
Explore our iconic Flower Garden Walk, then be enchanted as Peirce’s Woods, our native woodland garden, springs to life.

Science Series: How to Protect Your Native Plants

1:00 pm
Fountain Room
Join Longwood Land Stewardship and Ecology Technician Ellen Oordt for an inside look at how Longwood identifies, manages, and prevents the spread of invasive plants as part of our commitment to healthy, resilient landscapes. Learn more and register.

Bloom Tour

60-minute tour at 2:30 pm
Meet: outside the entrance of Peirce-du Pont house
More than 300 species of wildflowers bloom each year in our Meadow Garden. Join our Meadow Bloom volunteers for a wildflower walk in our Meadow and Forest district and learn about the key features that you can use to identify wildflowers in nature and how to distinguish native plants from invasive species.