Broadcast TV Public Service Announcements to Support National Public Gardens Day Released Today

Series Of Public Service Announcements Featuring Paul James, The Gardener Guy, Call Attention To The Important Role of Public Gardens in Plant And Water Conservation In Advance of National Public Gardens Day On May 8, 2009

LOS ANGELES--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--In support of National Public Gardens Day, a national day of celebration to raise awareness of the environmental stewardship and conservation efforts of North America’s public gardens, the American Public Gardens Association and corporate sponsor, Rain Bird, have released a series of Public Service Announcements featuring the host of HGTV’s Gardening By The Yard and National Public Gardens Day spokesperson, Paul James.

“It is important to recognize that most public gardens are more than just beautiful places to spend a Sunday afternoon. They also play an increasingly important role in the advancement of environmental stewardship, education and plant and water conservation within the communities they serve.”

The Public Service Announcements, produced in partnership between the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), a non-profit organization devoted to strengthening American public gardens and Rain Bird, a leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products, spotlight the role public gardens play in plant and water conservation while calling attention to the wealth of information that is available to viewers at their local public gardens.

The broadcast 30-second PSA is close-captioned and intended to play during the weeks leading up to National Public Gardens Day, May 8, 2009.

Scheduled for the Friday before Mother’s Day Weekend 2009, National Public Gardens Day will be supported by a local, regional and national awareness and education campaign that includes the release of these broadcast public service announcements, media partnerships, local and national spokespersons and media tours all focused on communicating the importance of building sustainable environments through improved plant management and water conservation.

“I have always felt that America’s public gardens are a great source of inspiration and knowledge for homeowners to apply to their own residential landscapes,” said Paul James. “It is important to recognize that most public gardens are more than just beautiful places to spend a Sunday afternoon. They also play an increasingly important role in the advancement of environmental stewardship, education and plant and water conservation within the communities they serve.”

To order a free copy of the National Public Gardens Day PSA please contact Mark Havenner at 310-556-4443 or via e-mail at [e-mail].

ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION

Based in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry's broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water is about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products to education, training and services for the industry and the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden and Mexico. http://www.rainbird.com

ABOUT APGA

Founded in 1940, Delaware-based American Public Gardens Association is an organization devoted to strengthening the public gardens throughout North America. With more than 65 years of work increasing cooperation and awareness among the gardens, APGA has built a membership of more than 500 public gardens located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and seven other countries. Their members include public gardens as well as arboreta and zoos. APGA has also built up an international network of individual members in the U.S., Canada and 24 other countries. The APGA is committed to increasing public awareness for public gardens and supplying resources to the industry. Through their leadership and advocacy, public gardens have become vital to public appreciation and understanding of the irreplaceable value of plants. http://www.publicgardens.org