Key Resources for Fire-Safe Living
As we face a warmer, hotter planet, wildfires are an increasing reality across the nation — but there are things you can do today at your home, in your landscape, and around your neighborhood to build resilience. From home hardening and native gardens to general strategies and information, we’ve worked with our partners to compile a list of resources to help you prepare ahead of the next fire season.
Because when you’re prepared, you can better protect your family and community. Let’s dive in …
Community Forum
Hear from a panel of experts as they share real-world insights and practical steps to better prepare your home, landscape, and neighborhood for wildfires. Moderated by the Garden and featuring voices from across Santa Barbara County, including Supervisor Laura Capps, Fire Captain Chris Olmstead, the Santa Barbara County Firesafe Council, Allen Construction, and the Garden’s Executive Director, Steve Windhager, Ph.D., this forum covers key strategies for fire preparedness at every scale — from individual property hardening and fire-smart landscaping to neighborhood-level planning and public safety response.
You’ll learn what fire crews look for when responding to a burning home, how native and drought-tolerant plants can help reduce fire risk, and what free tools are available to renters, homeowners, and communities to take action. Whether you missed it live or want to revisit the conversation, you can watch the recording here.
Firewise Checklist
Being prepared doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a checklist in collaboration with the FireSafe Council, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, and Allen Construction. It offers clear, achievable actions that can make a real difference when used alongside neighborhood readiness actions. Use this as a guide to protect what matters most: your family, your home, and your community.
Take a Class or Attend a Webinar
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, the Garden offers classes throughout the year to help you better care for your native plant landscapes. From learning how to identify and care for the most common California-native plants and assessing your site conditions to pruning and propagation techniques, there is something for everyone.
We’re always posting new classes and opportunities to learn, including nature walks and day trips with our Garden staff. You can use the link below to view our calendar.
Professional Workshops & Training
We’ve teamed up with FireSafe Council of Santa Barbara County to offer firewise workshops for professional landscapers and landscape designers. The workshops are free, but space is limited and registration is required.
Throughout the year, the Garden also offers a 19-hour California Native Plant Landscaper Certification program to help professionals advance their skills and grow their businesses. Once the course is completed, graduates become Garden-certified experts and can proceed to advanced training opportunities led by our horticulture staff.
Home Consultations & Evaluations
If you’re looking for more personalized tips, the Garden and FireSafe Council of Santa Barbara County both offer home visits. These visits offer a more tailored and comprehensive review of your residence and have become increasingly popular.
To learn more about the Garden’s home consultation focusing on native plant landscaping, or FireSafe Council’s evaluation of your home and landscape to help you identify risks, please use the following links.