Free

The Trees of California- Lecture with Dr. Ritter

Instructor
Dr. Matt Ritter
Location
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Blaksley Library
Date
February 17, 2026
Time
7:00PM - 8:30PM
A beautiful bending tree, viewed looking up from the bottom of the trunk. The sky is a vibrant baby blue peeking out behind the bright green leaves of the tree. The branches bend every way creating a mosaic of bark, leaves, and sky.
Details:

Join professor and author Dr. Matt Ritter for an engaging evening celebrating California’s native trees. In his new book, California Trees: A Field Guide to the Native Species, Ritter profiles 95 remarkable trees, revealing the beauty, diversity, and stories behind the plants that shape California’s landscapes.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, in partnership with the Channel Islands Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, is pleased to host this illustrated talk exploring California’s rich natural history and the vital role native trees play in our ecosystems. Perfect for nature lovers, gardeners, and anyone curious about the living world around them.

Pricing

This event will be free to attend. Please note registration is required.

About Dr. Matt Ritter:

Dr. Matt Ritter is a professor in the Biology Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. As a scientific and natural history writer, Dr. Ritter seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for California’s unique flora. His books, including A Californian’s Guide to the Trees Among Us and California Plants: A Guide to Our Iconic Flora, translate academic research into accessible narratives, revealing the beauty, history, and ecological importance of the plants that shape California’s landscapes.

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