The Pittsburgh Citizen

The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, located in Oakland’s Schenley Park since 1893, has long served as a local getaway for Pittsburgh residents – providing a green escape for the harsh winter months. But for the G-20 leaders who dined there on September 24th, the Conservatory served a much larger role: as a symbol of a city and world learning to come to terms with it’s environment.

Prior to the dinner last Thursday night, Richard Piacentini, the Executive Director of the conservatory, was kind of enough to answer a few questions about the G-20 dinner.

Q: Why did the President choose Phipps Conservatory for the G-20 dinner?

A: We think he chose Phipps for three main reasons. The first reason is that Phipps is a beautiful place, with an incredible garden to display to the world leaders. The second reason is that Phipps is one of the world’s greenest public gardens, and we know President Obama would like to focus the world’s attention to the need for sustainability. We think the third reason is because Phipps, like Pittsburgh, is an excellent example of an old relic that has adapted to stay relevant in this new century. Phipps was built when the prevailing creed was that there was no limit to the natural resources that were in the world, it has since adapted and become a leading green institution.

Q: Is “Going Green” just another pop culture trend that will eventually lose popularity? Or will it have lasting power?

A: I think it has lasting power. I’ve heard people say that soon people will forget about the need to be more sustainable, but I don’t think it’s true. I think people are becoming aware of the need for fundamental changes, and that these changes don’t have to be hard - they can be exciting.

Q: In a past interview you were quoted as saying you were going to focus on plants and leave the security to those whose job is security. With all this focus on how to protect the dignitaries, what is being done to protect the plants?

A: Well, we are not concerned with the plants. We don’t think they are going to be a problem. The State Department people that are here setting up for the event are being very careful with the plants, and we have a great working relationship with them. Our staff understands that things are changing quickly and that we will have to make adjustments.

Q: What accommodations, if any, have been made for those dignitaries with Pollen allergies?

A: We don’t have a lot of pollinated plants in the conservatory currently. It shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not something we’ve thought about.

Q: What special arrangements are being made for the world leaders?

A: We didn’t do too many special arrangements, because we think our regular exhibit, particularly the glass exhibit [by artist Hans Godo Fräbel], is incredible. We know that the State Department liked it when they came for a visit and they want to keep it for the event. It was installed last May and the plants have grown in nicely. It looks spectacular.

Q: What do you hope the other G-20 leaders will take away from their experience at the conservatory?

A: That you can take an old facility like Phipps, and transition it into something that is relevant. Around the world we have lots of old facilities, but they can adapt. We all need to respect history and be creative to stay relevant in this new century.  I remember the old saying: “The solution to pollution is dilution.” We know that’s not true, and we need to change the mindset of how people think. We need to live in harmony with nature.