The Pacific Northwest Horticultural Conservancy (PNHC) is a not-for-profit organization.

Our mission is to raise the funds to acquire, maintain, support and preserve the internationally renowned botanical garden and unique collection of plants of known provenance at the former Heronswood property, and to create a community-based, self-sustaining horticultural research and education center for the benefit of horticultural students and professionals, gardeners, and the public gardens and communities of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

OUR GOALS & PLANS

Our short- and long-range plans include the use of the house, office building, greenhouses, garden and grounds in the following endeavors:

Plants & The Garden

• Through opening the garden to the public, continue to celebrate the diversity of plant species that can be responsibly cultivated in the Puget Sound region.

• Promote responsible plant introductions and the study of bio-invasive species in the Pacific Northwest.

• Maintain the plant collections for taxonomic and horticultural research as well as for the aesthetic dimension of the garden.

• Grow plants to strengthen the collections of other public gardens in the Pacific Northwest including the Washington Park Arboretum (part of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens), the Dunn Garden and the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden.

• Sponsor exploration of other climates in the world similar to that of the Pacific Northwest for the purpose of introducing new plants to this area and other hospitable growing zones in the United States.

Education & Outreach

• Sponsor classes, tours, seminars and symposia taught by permanent staff and visiting horticulturists.

•  Sponsor internship programs for horticultural students.

• Support or develop accredited horticultural programs and research opportunities with educational institutions such as the University of Washington and Olympic College.

• Create and sustain partnerships with the Garden Conservancy and other botanical gardens and horticultural organizations. Ultimately, our hope is to work with other Northwest gardens to promote the Northwest as a destination for individuals interested in horticultural education.

• Provide education for community residents and horticulturists of all levels on the practical aspects of gardening as well as the advanced, graduate and post-graduate study of plant taxonomy.

Sustaining and Supporting the Site and Programs

• Solicit donations to create an endowment to cover the ongoing expenses of the property and staff.

• Make the office building and its grounds available for rental for plant sales, classes, retreats and other functions that would be enhanced by the beauty of the setting.

• Make the house available for rental by visiting horticulturists, lecturers, taxonomists and other garden professionals from around the world.

• Develop revenue-generating opportunities that utilize the plant collections and breeding programs to help support the garden and its research and educational programs.