Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
The Pitch
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) restored green spaces in the city through citizen-led programs and job training. They turned vacant lots and historical sites into vibrant public spaces and increased the city’s tree canopy cover.
The Problem
Philadelphia is dominated by gray infrastructure and vacant lots that worsen summer heat and prevent groundwater infiltration. In addition, many low-income neighborhoods face frequent violence.
The Process
- Designed 20 botanical sites (80+ acres) at landmark sites across the city that are maintained by PHS and are free to visit
- Created the Tree Tenders program, which recruits volunteers to plant and maintain trees in neighborhoods with low tree canopy
- Developed LandCare, a program that maintains and restores greenery to vacant lots
- Provided horticultural job training and certifications to help residents find jobs
- Pays community members $100 per day to community involved in horticulture projects
The Impact
- Plants 3,000+ trees annually through the Tree Tenders program—expanding the city’s tree canopy cover, providing shade and improving air quality
- Improved and maintained 170+ community gardens, supporting neighborhood food security
- Builds local capacity and garners civic participation by supporting self-organized, autonomous tree-planting crews and community garden groups
- Improved and maintains 13,000 vacant lots through the LandCare program, providing valuable green spaces and areas for community interaction in neighborhoods grappling with violence
- Helped residents find stable livelihoods and develop new skills, reducing unemployment rates and promoting neighborhood well-being
- Involves residents in environmental initiatives and cultivates local support for plantings
- Created new green spaces and maximized the environmental and community impact of existing parks and lots
