14th Annual Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Conservation Symposium

Cutting-edge Conservation: Innovative Solutions to the Biodiversity Crisis 

Presented by the Nakashima-Rennie Family

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s 14th Annual Conservation Symposium explores the rapidly evolving frontier of native plant conservation and the tools reshaping how we understand, protect, and restore biodiversity. As environmental challenges grow more complex, so too does the science and practice behind conservation. This year’s symposium brings together leading researchers, practitioners, and innovators to highlight how new technologies, emerging methodologies, and fresh ecological insights are expanding what is possible for native plant conservation across California’s Central Coast and beyond. 

From advances in ecological modeling and genomics research to the use of geospatial tools, AI-driven analysis, and remote sensing, conservation work is entering a transformative era. These tools are not only improving how we identify and prioritize at-risk species and habitats but also helping us design more resilient restoration strategies and measure outcomes with greater precision than ever before. 

Together, these perspectives reveal a powerful shift in the way we approach conservation work, but they also underscore an important responsibility for the scientific community to critically examine and thoughtfully weigh the impacts of emerging technology. As advances in computing, data infrastructure, and field instrumentation expand what is possible, they also bring increased demands on energy, water, land use, and development. This moment calls for solutions that are not only innovative and effective, but also intentional, transparent, and mindful of the broader environmental footprint, so we can continue to advance conservation in a way that benefits both people and the planet. 

Tickets (now available):

Garden Members: $45

General Admission: $50

General Admission – Student: $15

Virtual Attendee: Free (Registration required).

In-person attendance includes complimentary coffee, snacks, and lunch. To help reduce waste, please bring a reusable mug with lid.

Event Details:

Date: February 27, 2027

Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Santa Barbara Education Office Auditorium (4400 Cathedral Oaks RD) & YouTube Livestream

Schedule of Events:

Thank you to our generous sponsor:

Refund Policy:

 
We require at least 72 hours’ notice for cancellations. Refunds will be issued to the original form of payment, minus a 15% processing fee. Cancellations made within 72 hours of the class start time are nonrefundable and cannot be rescheduled.

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