Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Debuts New Short Film Inspiring Californians to Grow Native Plants 

Film uses Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden transformation as a powerful case study for restoring biodiversity, conserving water, and creating beautiful landscapes 

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – May 7, 2026 – Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has released a new short film designed to inspire Californians to rethink what they plant — whether in their yards, porches, and even windowsills. Through the story of the Garden’s Landscape Transformation project at Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, the film demonstrates how native plants can create vibrant, beautiful landscapes while helping address some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The film is available to watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsafi-BXmws. 

The 10-minute film titled “At the Heart of a City: Growing What Matters,” produced by local filmmaker Soraya Simi, explores the growing native plant movement and the important role home gardeners play in restoring habitat, supporting pollinators, conserving water, and strengthening climate resilience. The film highlights the Garden’s partnership with the City of Santa Barbara at Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, where a 2,277-square-foot planting bed was transformed into a showcase for California’s native plants. Featuring more than 168 plants across 14 species, the installation demonstrates that locally adapted landscapes can be colorful, lush, and visually striking while requiring less water and providing valuable habitat for wildlife. Using the transformation of a public garden bed at one of Santa Barbara’s most beloved parks as a living example, the film demonstrates how small choices at home can collectively create meaningful environmental impact. 

“As habitat loss accelerates and native species face increasing threats, we want people to understand they have the power to be part of the solution,” said Jaime Eschette, the Gerry Rubin director of marketing and communications for Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “At its core, this film is about hope. It reminds us that you don’t need to own hundreds of acres to make a difference. Your backyard, front yard, balcony, school garden, or neighborhood park can become a place that supports biodiversity and reconnects you with the natural world.” 

Aimed at inspiring and educating, the film features voices from across the native plant and conservation community, including Steve Windhager, Ph.D., executive director of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden; Scot Pipkin, the Garden’s director of education; Jazmin LeBlanc, assistant director of the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department; and the late acclaimed Los Angeles Times reporter Jeanette Marantos, whose reporting helped bring California’s native plant movement into the mainstream. 

The film also serves as a tribute to Marantos, a longtime champion of native plants whose work inspired countless gardeners, landscape professionals, and conservation advocates throughout California. A special dedication at the conclusion of the film honors her enduring legacy and contributions to environmental journalism. 

As a leader in native plant conservation and ecological landscaping, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden provides free gardening resources, plant recommendations, design inspiration, and educational programs that help homeowners successfully incorporate native plants into their landscapes. Visitors can explore these resources and learn how to get started at sbbotanicgarden.org/grow/gardening-resources. 

The public is invited to watch and share the short film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsafi-BXmws. 

For more information about Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s Landscape Transformation initiative, visit sbbotanicgarden.org/conservation/landscape-transformations.