Longtime Head of Philadelphia Horticultural Society Stepping Down

Jane G. Pepper, who built the Philadelphia Horticultural Society into a national model for “greening” urban neighborhoods, will retire next year as the group’s president, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer.

In 25 years at the organization, Ms. Pepper helped the society double its membership to 15,000, increase its budget several times over, and forge partnerships with local government, corporations, and foundations.

Along with staging the Philadelphia Flower Show, which draws about 250,000 visitors a year, the organization is a national leader in the urban-gardening movement, transforming about 5,000 vacant lots in its home city and advising other communities on similar efforts.