Pennsylvania Native Species Day

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Pennsylvania Native Species Day

Closeup of an orange and black butterfly with wings outspread, resting on a meadow plant with umbels of mostly yet-to-open pink buds.
Candie Ward

Dates & Price

Friday May 17, 2024
4:00–7:00 pm

Saturday May 18, 2024
10:00 am–5:00 pm


Free with Gardens Admission

Timed Admission Tickets required

Timed Reservations required for Members after 3:00 pm Thursdays–Saturdays

Reservations not required for Gardens Premium Members and Innovators

Become a Member and Attend this Event for Free

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 17

 

Spotlight Tours

Friday, May 17: 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm, and 7:00 pm
Meet at the Peirce-du Pont House Conservatory information desk.
Take a 30-minute guided stroll through Flower Garden Walk and Peirce’s Woods and learn about our native plants and legacy trees. Please note: Capacity is limited. Please sign up for the Spotlight Tour at the Peirce-du Pont House information desk that day.

 

Meadow Ecology Walk

Friday, May 17: 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.

 

Explore Our Native Ecosystems

Friday, May 17: 4:00–7:00 pm
Hourglass Lake Pavilion
Learn from our knowledgeable docents about the diversity of native plants and animals that inhabit our meadow and forest ecosystems.

 

Meet Native Species-Focused Organizations

Friday, May 17: 4:00-7:00 pm
Outside of the Peirce-du Pont House
Talk with representatives from Octoraro Nursery, Stroud Water Research Center, and Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research about their work.

 

Native Plant Giveaway

Friday, May 17: 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.


Saturday, May 18

 

Explore Our Native Ecosystems

Saturday, May 18: 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Hourglass Lake Pavilion
Learn from our knowledgeable docents about the diversity of native plants and animals that inhabit our meadow and forest ecosystems.

 

Meet Native Species-Focused Organizations

Saturday, May 18: 10:00 am–5:00 pm 
Outside of the Peirce-du Pont House 
Talk with representatives from Octoraro Nursery, Stroud Water Research Center, and Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research about their work.

 

Wild Bird Walk

Saturday, May 18: 11:30 am
Meet outside of the Peirce-du Pont House. 
Longwood’s diverse natural habitats are home to more than 200 species of resident and migratory birds, and our expert volunteers have been observing them regularly since the 1970s. Join our Bird Survey volunteers for a walk in our Meadow and Forest District and learn key tips for how to identify wild birds.

 

Using Native Plants in Your Home Garden Walk

Saturday, May 18: 1:00 pm
Meet outside of the Peirce-du Pont House. 
Thanks to the rich diversity of our local ecosystems, there’s a beautiful native plant for almost every soil and light combination you might find in your garden. Join Senior Horticulturist Kari Getchonis for a walk in Peirce’s Woods and learn how you can add wildlife-supporting, pollinator-friendly native species to your home garden.

 

Building Bluebird Boxes

Saturday, May 18: 1:00 pm
Outside of the Peirce-du Pont House 
The Eastern Bluebird is a beautiful bird that historically used holes in trees to build its nests. In developed landscapes, we can support this iconic species by providing homes for them in nest boxes. Join our expert bluebird nest box volunteers—who maintain more than 200 bluebird boxes and monitor their nesting success—for a look inside our specially designed bluebird boxes and learn how to make one to support this native species at home.

 

Native Plant Giveaway

Saturday, May 18: 2:00-5:00 pm
Outside of the Peirce-du Pont House 
Take home a native plant to grow in your home garden. While supplies last.

 

Wildflower Walk

Saturday, May 18: 2:30 pm
Meet outside of the 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.

 

Spotlight Tours

Saturday, May 18: 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Meet at the Peirce-du Pont House Conservatory information desk.
Take a 30-minute guided stroll through Flower Garden Walk and Peirce’s Woods and learn about our native plants and legacy trees. Please note: Capacity is limited. Please sign up for the Spotlight Tour at the Peirce-du Pont House information desk that day.

 

Meadow Ecology Walk

Saturday, May 18: 4:00 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.


Join the Conversation 

Let everyone know you’ve participated by using #PANativeSpeciesDay and #PANativePlants on social media.