Native Plant Meetups at Elings Park

The Garden is hosting a yearlong series of free native plant meetups at Elings Park, offering creative, educational, and family-friendly experiences each month. Participants can enjoy activities ranging from plein air painting and meditative walks to birding, gardening, storytelling, and even biking and skating. You’ll also learn about our native plant restoration project at the Park. Registration is not available — simply arrive at the designated location on the day of the event.

Location:

Elings Park – 1298 Las Positas Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105. The group will meet in varying locations for each meetup.

Location Map:

Please reference this map to guide you.

2026 Meetups:

January 10 | 9-10:30 AM – Plein Air Painting with SCAPE & Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

What: Start the new year with a creative morning outdoors. Join artists from SCAPE (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment) and members of the Garden’s restoration team for a relaxed plein air painting session surrounded by winter light, open views, and native plants. All mediums and experience levels are welcome, from first-time sketchers to seasoned painters. Around 9:30 a.m. we’ll circle up to have a short talk about our restoration efforts and our goals at the site.

Where: Meet at the restoration site. Park in the upper lot and walk up the hill, or park along Calle Montilla.

What to bring: Your preferred art supplies: oils, watercolor, sketchbooks, or anything that inspires creativity.

Garden leaders: Stephanie Clark, Ph.D. & Sarah Cusser, Ph.D.

February 14 | 9-10:30 AM – Mediative Walk with PALMA Colectiva, Elings Park & the Garden

What: Begin your morning with a grounding, meditative walk led by PALMA Colectiva and members of the Garden’s restoration team. We’ll move slowly through the restoration site, taking time to notice seasonal changes, connect with the landscape, and settle into a mindful rhythm. This gentle, guided experience is open to all — no prior meditation practice needed.

Where: Meet at the restoration site. Park in the upper lot and walk up the hill, or park along Calle Montilla.

What to bring: Comfortable clothing suitable for moving slowly outdoors.

Group leader: Giuliana Mottin (PALMA Colectiva)

March 14 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM – Wonder Women: Family Fun Event 

What: Celebrate Women’s History Month with hands-on, activities that invite families to dive into science while spotlighting women in ecology, conservation, and environmental science. Enjoy crafts, demonstrations, and discovery stations that highlight how we all have the power to shape our understanding of the world’s wonders.

Where: Meet at the top parking lot

What to bring: Water, sun protection, and curiosity. Family participation encouraged.

Garden leader: Michelle Cyr

April 11 | 10-11:30 AM | Storytime in the Restoration Plot with Santa Barbara Public Library

What: Join us for Story Time at Elings Park Restoration Site! Spend a morning surrounded by nature as Santa Barbara Public Library staff and conservation staff share nature-themed stories in our native plant plot — right in the heart of an active restoration area. Explore California’s native plants, see restoration work up close, and learn how to use the Seek app/iNaturalist to identify the plants and animals you see every day. 

Where: Meet at the restoration site. Park in the upper lot and walk up the hill, or park along Calle Montilla.

What to bring: Water, sun protection, and clothes comfortable for sitting outdoors.

Garden leaders: Scot Pipkin and Melissa Patrino

May 9 | 9-10:30 AM | Birding Walk

What: Welcome peak migration season with a guided birding walk through Elings Park. Learn bird identification, birdsong basics, and local avian ecology while exploring restored habitat with experts.

Where: Meet at the top parking lot.

What to bring: Binoculars (loaners may be available), water, sun protection.

Garden leaders: Scot Pipkin & Zach Phillips, Ph.D.

June 13 | 9-10:30 AM – Gardening with Native Plants

What: Get your hands in the soil and learn how the Garden team establishes and maintains native plantings at Elings Park. A great opportunity for gardeners, habitat enthusiasts, and families interested in California flora.

Where: Meet at the restoration site. Park in the upper lot or along Calle Montilla.

What to bring: Water, sun protection, sturdy shoes. Gloves and tools provided.

Garden leader: Alejandro Lemus

July 11 | 9-10:30 AM – Weeding on Wheels

What: Join us for a playful, movement-friendly morning of habitat care, on wheels! Help steward Elings Park’s while gliding, rolling, or skating your way through the session. This is a fun, unique blend of ecological stewardship and joyful outdoor activity. 

Where: Meet at the top parking lot at Elings Park.

What to bring:

• Your own wheels (skates, blades, or anything that rolls) 

• Water, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing 

• Work gloves if you have them (extras available) 

Group leaders: Stephanie Clark, Ph.D. (the Garden), Lauren Harris (CIR)

August 8 | 9-10:30 AM – Plein Air Painting with SCAPE & Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

What: Welcome the shift toward fall with a creative morning of plein air painting. Enjoy scenic views, peaceful landscapes, and time to create art in the open air, alongside SCAPE (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment) artists and the Garden’s restoration team.

Where: Meet at the restoration site. Park in the upper lot and walk up the hill, or park along Calle Montilla.

What to bring: Your preferred art supplies: oils, watercolor, sketchbooks, or anything that inspires creativity.

Garden leaders: Stephanie Clark, Ph.D. & Sarah Cusser, Ph.D.

September 12 | 9-10:30 AM – Community Walk with Latino Outdoors 

What: Enjoy a community-centered walk focused on connection, nature, and shared learning. Explore the restoration area and the native plants that call Elings park home, guided by leaders from the Garden and Latino Outdoors.

Where: Top parking lot.

What to bring: Water, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes.

Garden leader: Eric Cárdenas

October 10 | 9-10:30 AM – CinemANTic Stroll 

What: We will watch Harvester ants, and Harvester ants will watch us. We will stroll alongside these insects through their Queendom, the disc golf course at Elings Park. We might compare cinematic depictions of ants to the real ants at our feet, or we might just go for a nice ant stroll.

Where: Parking lot by the disc golf course. See map here.

What to bring: Water, sun protection, walking shoes, memories of movies

Garden leaders: Zach Phillips, Ph.D. and Harvey S. Trant

November 14 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM – Fall Family Day

What: A hands-on morning of nature activities and exploration for families, led by the Garden’s Education and Conservation teams.

Where: Meet at top parking lot

What to bring: Water, sun protection, comfortable clothes for outdoor activities.

Garden leader: Michelle Cyr

December 12 | 9-10:30 AM – Mountain Biking with Boom Boom Bike Room 

What: End the year with a dynamic trail ride that blends outdoor recreation with ecological insight. Learn to recognize native plants at trail speed, discover tips for preventing invasive seed spread, and explore Elings Park with bike experts and Garden staff.

Where: Meet at top parking lot

What to bring: A bike, helmet, water, and sun protection.

Garden leaders: Abraham Lizama and Sean Carson

Thank you to our partners:

Boom Boom Bike Room | Elings Park | Latino Outdoors | PALMA Colectiva | Santa Barbara Public Library | S-C-A-P-E

Please note, our restoration work at Elings Park is underway, and volunteers are needed. Click here for more information and to register as a volunteer.