We’re proudly joining gardens across the state in recognizing the fourth annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day, which falls on May 20, 2025—but we’re celebrating on May 16 and 17 with a variety of walks and talks each day, 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.
Activities and Locations
Join us for the following walks and talks, and learn more about how you can use native plants in your own landscape.
Friday, May 16
Explore Our Native Ecosystems
Friday, May 16: 10:00 am–7:00 pm
Hourglass Lake Pavilion
Learn from our knowledgeable docents about the diversity of native plants and animals that inhabit our meadow and forest ecosystems.
Meadow Ecology Walk
Friday, May 16: 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Meet outside of the Peirce-du Pont House
Longwood’s Meadow Garden is a dynamic ecosystem full of native plant and animal life. Join our Land Stewardship and Ecology team for a talk and short walk in the Meadow Garden to learn about what it takes to keep native meadow communities vibrant—and how to keep invasive species from taking over.
Meet Native Species-Focused Organizations
Friday, May 16: 4:00-7:00 pm
Outside of the Peirce-du Pont House
Talk with representatives from Octoraro Nursery, Stroud Water Research Center, Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, and Pennsylvania Native Plant Society about their work.
Native Plant Giveaway
Friday, May 16: 4:00-7:00 pm
Outside of the Peirce-du Pont House
Take home a native plant to grow in your home garden. While supplies last.