We are pleased to welcome our speaker for the evening: William M. LeFevre, Executive Director of the renowned Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.  Bill became Duke Garden’s first full-time executive director in 2008.  He previously was executive director of Philadelphia’s historic Bartram’s Garden, the oldest botanic garden in North America.  Bill also currently serves as the Vice President of the American Public Garden Association which represents almost 600 botanic gardens, arboreta, museums, colleges, universities, research facilities, and Japanese gardens in North America and 22 other countries.

Portland Japanese Garden is a member of the American Public Gardens Association.  Bill will be sharing his thoughts about the role and importance of public gardens in North America just a few days before National Public Garden Day on May 12th which celebrates the varied and beautiful public gardens throughout North America and their important work in connecting our communities to nature and education and research in horticulture and plant conservation.