Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Welcomes Horticulturist Kelly D. Norris

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is excited to welcome renowned horticulturist Kelly D. Norris for two exciting Earth Day events! Kelly D. Norris is one of the leading horticulturists of his generation. As a planting designer in public and private space, he explores the intersections of people, plants and place through ecological, site-specific design and art. An award-winning author and plantsman, Kelly’s work in gardens has been featured in The New York Times, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Living, Fine Gardening, Garden Design and in numerous television, radio and digital media appearances. His most recent book New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden debuted in January 2021 from Cool Springs Press.

Lecture & Lunch

Join us Thursday, April 21 from 10am – 3pm for an insightful day at the Garden beginning with guided walking tours of Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, followed by a delicious outdoor lunch under the tent in the Peirce Celebration Garden. Our featured presentation will begin at 1pm as Kelly D. Norris shares his experience in creating beautiful, functional gardens and details his latest book, New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden.

10:00am

Guided Tours of Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. (Optional, included with registration)

12:00pm

Lunch in the Peirce Celebration Garden.

1:00pm

Featured presentation by Kelly D. Norris in Davidson Event Center.

2:00pm

Meet the author and book signing for New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden.

Conservation & Cocktails

On Friday, April 22, the Garden will host a panel discussion on essential issues regarding conservation and climate change. This panel will be moderated by Pittsburgh’s own organic gardener, Doug Oster, and features the following panelists:

Myrna Newman

Executive Director, Allegheny CleanWays

Since 2011, Myrna Newman has been creating a clean, beautiful and safe county for everyone as Executive Director of Allegheny CleanWays. Prior to working for Allegheny CleanWays, she was involved in public education for 14 years and was the lead environmental field technician for a multi-million-dollar soil remediation project in Utah.

John Oliver III

(Former / Retired) Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

John Oliver III has been working diligently to protect and conserve Pennsylvania’s natural landscape since 1970. He has worked for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, served as Secretary of the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, and is currently serving as Mayor of the Borough of Sewickley Heights.

Jeffrey Wagner

Director, Natural Heritage Program at Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

As Director of the Natural Heritage Program at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Jeffrey Wagner works to provide scientific information, expertise and assistance to support the conservation of our state’s biological diversity through field studies, inventory, and outreach.

Kelly D. Norris

Horticulturist, Author, Planting Designer, & Former Director of Horticulture at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Kelly D. Norris is one of the leading horticulturists of his generation. An award-winning author and plantsman, Kelly’s work in gardens has been featured in The New York Times, Organic Gardening, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Living, Fine Gardening and Garden Design and in numerous local and regional media appearances. His passion for planting at the intersections of horticulture and ecology has culminated in a new book New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden which debuts 2021 from Cool Springs Press. Kelly also presents plants for Cottage Farms Direct on QVC and lectures widely to consumer and industry audiences.