Date & Time:                  Sunday, March 18, 4 pm

Cost:                                 Free & open to the public

Location:                          Lang Performing Arts Center, Swarthmore College

Special Notes:                 Reservations are required, call 610-328-8025 or online at

                                          www.scottarboretum.org

On Sunday, March 18 at 4 pm at the Lang Performing Arts Center the public is invited to hear Paul W. Meyer,the 2018 recipient of the Scott Medal and Award, speak about his passion for horticulture, commitment to sustainability, and exploration of the world in search of good garden plants.

In the words of the 2017 Scott Medal Recipient, R. William Thomas, “Throughout his 40-year career, Paul has made outstanding regional, national, and global contributions to the science and art of gardening. Paul has led the renaissance of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, making it an internationally significant institution known for its collections, aesthetics, education, and research. He has promoted collaboration and cooperation among international as well as local organizations, is a world leader in plant exploration, and has been instrumental in preserving open space.”

Meyer is honored to receive this prestigious award, and pointed to others who share the credit.  “This recognition would not be possible without the hard work of the Arboretum’s staff, board and volunteers whose invaluable contributions enable Morris Arboretum to fulfill its role as a premier public garden.”

A champagne toast and hors d’oeuvres will follow Paul W. Meyer’s presentation. The program is free and open to the public. Please register at 610-328-8025 or online at www.scottarboretum.org.

A Note about Parking:

On March 18, another popular event will be taking place on campus between 3 and 4 pm, so parking will be very limited.

Helpful tips to consider:

•Carpool with friends.

•Visit www.swarthmore.edu/campusmap/ and select “parking” to see all campus parking lots.

•Consider street parking in the Swarthmore Borough adjacent to campus.

•Use public transportation. Swarthmore Station is on the Media/Elwyn Regional Rail Line. Visitwww.septa.org/service/rail/ for information. Information on local busses is available athttp://septa.org/service/bus/.

•Plan to take additional time to find a parking space and walk to LPAC.

•If it is a nice day, arrive early and visit the Arboretum to see signs of spring before the Spring Celebration!

More about Paul W. Meyer

Holly Shimizu, Emeritus Executive Director of the US Botanic Gardens, states, “Paul led the way with [the Morris Arboretum’s] LEED Platinum Certified Horticulture Center featuring geothermal wells, a green roof, solar energy, water cistern, and recycled materials. While moving forward with so much innovation, Paul has also respected the rich history and past of the Morris Arboretum.”

Paul has completed plant expeditions to China, Korea, Taiwan, Armenia, and the Republic of Georgia. During these expeditions he worked closely with botanists in each country to ensure the explorations were mutually beneficial. A founding member of the North America-China Plant Exploration Consortium, Paul facilitated collaboration among American, Canadian, and Chinese botanical organizations. In the words of the 1999 Scott Medal Recipient, Peter Del Tredici,of Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum, “Paul’s contributions to the field of plant exploration – both in terms of the plants he personally collected as well as the inspiration and motivation he provided young horticulturists – cannot be overstated. Basically, he took an old idea and made it relevant to modern botanical gardens…. To my mind, it is Paul’s commitment to the larger horticultural world that is most deserving of recognition… [he] is a master not only at providing the leadership, support, and example that people and their institutions need in order to move forward, but also doing it with generosity, grace, and good humor.”

And from renowned British horticulturist Roy Lancaster: “[Paul Meyer] is in my opinion the perfect ambassador for American horticulture and a credit to his profession.”

Paul has received several awards, most notably, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award from the American Horticultural Society in 2014, and the Award of Merit from the American Public Gardens Association in 2013. The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College proudly awards the 2018 Scott Medal and Award to Paul W. Meyer.

The Scott Medal and Award was established in 1929 to recognize individuals who, in the opinion of the selection committee, have made outstanding national contributions to the science and art of gardening. The 2017 award of the medal together with $14,000 is given as an acknowledgement of “…achievement of great merit, recognition of work in creating and developing a wider interest in gardening.”

The Scott Arboretum is a unique garden of ideas and suggestions encouraging horticulture in its broadest sense through displays on the 350-plus acre campus of Swarthmore College. It offers some of the region’s most intimate, authentic, and accessible horticultural experiences. The Arboretum is frequently ranked among the most beautiful campuses in the world.. For more information, visit www.scottarboretum.org.

Morris Arboretum is a 92-acre horticultural display garden that features a spectacular collection of mature trees in a beautiful and colorful landscape.  The official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, effective 1988, Morris Arboretum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and accredited by the American Association of Museums.  For more information, visit: www.morrisarboretum.org

Photo caption: Paul W. Meyer, the F.Otto Haas Executive Director of Morris Arboretum is the recipient of the 2018 Scott Medal and Award. He is shown here on the green roof of Morris Arboretum’s Platinum LEED certified Horticulture Center.