On a cool morning this February, a group gathered at the Buckhorn Roadside Resort in Cuyama Valley to watch birds and drink coffee. Most participants had never used binoculars to go birding before, so the morning officially began with a binoculars tutorial: We described how to adjust the spacing between the barrels, how to focus…
Garden Design To Support the Web of Life Part 1: Design for Wildlife and Beauty With Layers Some of the most diverse and interesting habitat gardens I encounter use habitat layers, massing, and strategic plant palettes to great effect. Ecologically, building three-dimensional (3D) structures in our gardens helps us support the web of life. Aesthetically,…
Every restoration project has a beginning that looks far quieter than people expect. Before the plants bloom and the critters return, there is planning and lots of it. There are conversations, calendars, and maps spread across tables, and moments of uncertainty balanced by shared excitement. For us, the early days of the Garden’s landscape transformation…
This is Santa Barbara Botanic Garden’s resource guide for knowing and growing biodiversity through gardening with native plants. Here, we present a list of tools, ideas, and practices that have been curated to inspire hope and empower stewardship of the ecosystems that sustain us, and the planet. Whether you’re a seasoned native plant ambassador, or someone who is just getting acquainted with the power of native plants, you’ll find helpful tips, tricks, and opportunities in this toolkit.…
Getting started with native plants can feel overwhelming – so many species, so many choices. Should you hire a designer, or go DIY? Does that ceanothus shrub look better here, or there? If you’ve felt this way, congratulations, you’re a gardener! I recently spoke with Liz Barnitz, president and landscaping coordinator of a Santa Barbara…
It is difficult to overstate how important plants are to our existence. Their ability to turn the sun’s energy, water, and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen is what makes plants one of Earth’s most precious resources. This life-giving power of plants is one of the fundamental reasons why gardening is such a quintessentially human…
Stories Rooted in Conservation, Community, and Connection The newest digital edition of Ironwood, the Garden’s biannual magazine, has arrived, offering a journey into the world of California’s native plants and the people working every day to protect them. Issue 38 is an invitation to explore how native plants shape our landscapes, our communities, and our…
The lawn at the Pritzlaff Conservation Center (PCC) sees thousands of visitors and serves as a heavily used event space every year — from personal picnics to private wedding receptions. Due to this impact, we are always striving to find a balance that is both beautiful and functional. Since its unveiling in 2016, the lawn…
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