DonateBackcountry Casitas Program
Learning Through Exploration
Nature is the Best Teacher
Whether you’re an architect, contractor, design-build team, artist, hobbyist, or student, the Garden needs your help building nature playhouses that encourage the community – especially families – to get outdoors and play in the natural world. Every year, we host an open call for applications and select up to four “casitas” designs to be built in the Backcountry.
Once brought to life in the Backcountry, each winning Casitas will remain for up to two years for everyone to enjoy. Are you ready to bring your creativity to the Garden in service of inspiring the next generation of stewards for our planet?
Contact
Education team
805.682.4726, ext. 102
“Each of these creative, interactive playhouses has been designed to provide garden guests with unique perspectives on the wonders of nature. They are a delightful addition to the Backcountry area, which encourages children and adults to explore and discover.“
Scot Pipkin, director of education and engagement at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Casitas Inspiration
The Hives | Steve Windhager, Ph.D.
One of the Garden’s first Casitas was designed and installed in 2021 by the Garden’s Executive Director Steve Windhager, Ph.D.
Gaia Tree | Central Coast Green Business Council
Rendering of the winning 2022 Casita winner, Gaia Tree, designed by the Central Coast Green Business Council.
Gaia Tree | Central Coast Green Business Council
Constructed from salvaged materials, this Casitas demonstrates a tree’s cycle of carbon removal from the atmosphere, which is aided by fungi.
Trolling Trees | Natalie Leyva
Model of Trolling Trees, the 2022 Casita winner designed by Natalie Leyva, Student of Landscape Architecture, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University.
Trolling Trees | Natalie Leyva
Final design of 2022 Casitas, Trolling Trees, proudly stands in the Backcountry, awaiting visitors.
Bee a Bee | Kelly Curl
Rendering of Be a Bee2023 Casita winner designed by Kelly Curl, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University.
Be a Bee | Kelly Curl
Immersing kids into a human-scaled pollinator home, this Casitas lets kids experience first-hand what it is like to live like a native bee.
Hawk’s Nest | Cody Westheimer
Renderings of Cody’s winning design of the Hawk’s Nest.
Hawk’s Nest | Cody Westheimer
2023 winner, Cody Westheimer, poses in front of his finished instillation.
Hawk’s Nest | Cody Westheimer
Garden explorers enjoying the 2022 Casita winner, Hawk’s Nest, designed by local artist and composer Cody Westheimer
Woodrat Theater | Adrienne DeGuevara
The Woodrat Theater emerges from our shared proclivity for gathering in the woods near creeks and telling stories. We want to make a space filled with objects that entice young minds to bubble over with stories.
Woodrat Theater | Adrienne DeGuevara
Mysterious discovery of strange but familiar pictographs in a curated space hovering between private and public, small enough to feel at the scale of childhood, well-crafted enough to denote preparation for an important event.
Sprinning Petals | Robyn Coburn
The Sprinning Petals design is a collection of freestanding structures based on the shapes of petals or leaves of varying heights and widths that kids can manually turn to change the environment.
The Poet’s Perch | Colleen M. Kelly
The Poet’s Perch provides a perfect location for a sweet shrine to honor Sojourner Kinkaid Rolle, Santa Barbara Poet, Laureate, activist, and teacher
The Snail Shell | Jessica Altstatt
A three-dimensional shell structure, based upon the whorls of various threatened native land and aquatic snails, to draw attention to imperiled species that are entirely dependent upon native flora.
Ready to Apply? Here Are Some FAQs to Consider.
When is the application deadline?
Applications for our 2025 Casitas program need to be submitted by 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 8, 2025.
Can anyone apply?
Anyone may submit a design. Individuals and teams are welcome.
How will entries be judged and selected?
The selection panel will be comprised of garden employees and potentially future program sponsors. To better understand our selection criteria, please review the following document.
What should be included in my submission?
Design submissions should include a rendering and a plan view showing scale, etc. We will also accept 3D models.
Please also include the estimated budget for the playhouse and a general statement of what materials you will use. Natural materials and the ability to demonstrate a connection between your design and California’s native plants and habitats are strongly desired.
Will there be compensation for designs?
A stipend of $5,000 will be awarded to each selected design and build team. At the time of selection, 60% of the stipend payment will be provided. The balance will be provided six months into the exhibition. This is to ensure designs are properly installed and cared for during the first few months of use. Designers and/or build teams are responsible for the integrity of their designs.
Note, the Garden will pre-select installation sites for each new casita. Sites will be relatively flat mulched ground, immersed in riparian sycamore oak woodland and gardens.
Where can I apply?
You can apply via mail, in person, or online.
To submit your entry in person, please contact us at number above to schedule a drop off time. Or, you can also leave your submission at our front kiosk with a note for Scot Pipkin, the Garden’s director of education and engagement.
To submit via mail, please send your entry to the following address:
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, c/o Scot Pipkin, Director of Education and Engagement, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
To apply online, please use the following link.
I have a few more questions, who should I contact?
Please contact the Garden’s Education Team with additional questions at 805.682.4726, ext. 102. We also encourage you to watch a recording of our pre-design Zoom meeting from last year below. Or, you’re also invited to join this year’s discussion on Wednesday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m. PST by following this link.
Sponsor a Casitas
Inspire the Next Generation of Stewards
Do you have fond memories of playing outdoors as a kid? Did this spark a passion for the natural world and a passion for conservation? With our Casitas program, we’re hoping to inspire the next generation of stewards for our planet by inspiring them through exploration and play. Do you, your foundation, or your company want to help us bring families together through our Casitas Program? Let’s talk!
