Category: Conservation & Research

Person planting small grass seedlings in soil, trowel nearby.
October 2, 2025
13th Annual Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Conservation Symposium

Plant With Purpose: Growing Resilience Through Native Plants Presented by the Nakashima-Rennie Family With the launch of its centennial year, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is proud to lead its 13th annual Conservation Symposium presented by the Nakashima-Rennie family and guided by one unifying theme: Planting With Purpose. As the Garden celebrates 100 years of native…

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Coastal cave view overlooking secluded beach and ocean waves.
August 25, 2025
Santa Cruz Island Day Trip: Scorpion Cove | Sold Out

Details: Join us for a special trip to the Scorpion Cove on Santa Cruz Island. Holly Huff will lead our guests on a scenic walk on the trails near the harbor to see and learn about the unique island flora on the north side of the island. After departing from Ventura Harbor a short boat…

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Hands holding small plant with green leaves outdoors.
July 18, 2025
Community Science & Volunteer Day at Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden

About: A day focused on study and service. We will take over Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens with community science investigations and stewardship opportunities in the native plant garden. This one of 9 events sponsored by Santa Barbara Foundation. Pricing: This class is free; however, registration is required.

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Coastal cave view overlooking secluded beach and ocean waves.
July 3, 2025
Santa Cruz Island Day Trip: Prisoner’s Harbor

Details: Join us for a special trip to the Prisoner’s Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, which is on the border of the Nature Conservancy property. Christina Varnava will lead our guests on a scenic walk on the trails near the harbor to see and learn about the unique island flora on the north side of…

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Rocky coastal cliffs extending into blue ocean water.
May 22, 2025
Anacapa Island Day Trip | Sold Out

Details: Join us for a guided walking tour of Anacapa Island with the Garden’s Horticulture Educator Alejandro Lemus. We will travel via Island Packers boat across the channel where you may see a variety of aquatic wildlife on the way to the island.  The boat docks at the East End Landing Cove at the base of…

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A purple Malva flower tucked into large green leaves.
May 7, 2025
Accelerating Conservation Via Data Sharing: A Case Study

Details: Plant conservation is inherently complex, multifaceted, and often collaborative. However, time and funding often dictate that conservation happens at the pace of grant cycles rather than over the decades required to affect meaningful change. Data sharing across regions and disciplines can accelerate conservation by opportunities for large scale analyses and prioritization exercises, as well…

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Wooden boardwalk over calm water surrounded by reeds.
April 7, 2025
Oso Flaco Lake & Dunes Day Trip – Sold Out

Details: Experience the wildflowers of Oso Flaco Lake, located at the border of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with botanist Steve Junak. Learn about the rich history of the area while enjoying freshwater lakes nestled in the sand dunes just inland from a spectacular wild shoreline. This field trip will have an emphasis…

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Coastal cave view overlooking secluded beach and ocean waves.
March 31, 2025
Santa Cruz Island Day Trip: Scorpion Cove – Sold Out

Details: Join instructors Steve Junak and Sabina Thomas for an exciting day trip to Scorpion Cove on Santa Cruz Island. Our group will depart from Ventura Harbor via Island Packers. After the boat docks at Scorpion Anchorage, we will explore some of the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island on foot. Steve will lead participants…

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