Paul James, The Gardener Guy™, Announces Return As Official Spokesperson For Fifth Annual National Public Gardens Day

Master Gardener And Host Of HGTV’s Gardening By The Yard To Promote Public Gardens As Leaders In Conservation, Education And Environmental Preservation

AZUSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In support of public gardens as important resources for education and conservation in the communities they serve, Paul James, Gardener Guy™, host of HGTV’s Gardening By The Yard, announced today that he will continue his commitment as the official ambassador for 2013 National Public Gardens Day.

“I am excited to once again have the opportunity to spread this important message and encourage the public to utilize the available resources at their public garden when designing and planting their own gardens at home.”

Scheduled for May 10, 2013, National Public Gardens Day is a national day of awareness in which communities nationwide are invited to visit and learn about the role their public gardens play in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education. Now in its fifth year, National Public Gardens Day was established through a partnership between the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and irrigation product and service provider Rain Bird.

As the program’s national spokesperson, Paul James will continue his work to showcase the contributions of public gardens as part of a local, regional and national awareness and education initiative that includes media partnerships, broadcast public service announcements and local and national media tours.

“Public gardens have always had a strong role as beautiful places to visit and de-stress, but today’s public gardens have evolved to become leaders in sustainability, conservation and education,” said Paul James. “I am excited to once again have the opportunity to spread this important message and encourage the public to utilize the available resources at their public garden when designing and planting their own gardens at home.”

In addition to conducting media interviews and studio appearances to promote National Public Gardens Day 2013, Paul James will host a nationwide satellite media tour, be featured in the campaign’s national broadcast public service announcements and will make personal appearances at a number of public gardens leading up to National Public Gardens Day 2013.

For more information on National Public Gardens Day, visit www.NationalPublicGardensDay.org, “LIKE” the National Public Gardens Day Facebook page and follow the National Public Gardens Day Twitter feed, @NPGD.

ABOUT APGA

Founded in 1940, Pennsylvania-based American Public Gardens Association is an organization devoted to strengthening the public gardens throughout North America. With over 70 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. www.publicgardens.org

ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION

Headquartered in Azusa, Calif., Rain Bird Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services. From simple beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird now offers the industry's broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses, sports arenas, commercial developments and homes, available in more than 130 countries. Rain Bird has been awarded hundreds of patents, including the first in 1935 for the impact sprinkler. Rain Bird’s philosophy called 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 facilities around the world. www.RainBird.com