For 22 years, scientists at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden have been asking what genetic diversity might mean for a rare tree. Then, in 2026, a wildfire changed the stakes. One of the Rarest Trees on Earth Every day, visitors pass two Torrey pines (Pinus torreyana) near the Garden’s entrance without realizing how special they are.…
Native plants provide the foundation for all life on Earth – serving as the anchor points of global food webs. They are essential to the health and wellbeing of our pollinators, wildlife – and even you and me. Insects such as bees, wasps, butterflies, and beetles play critical roles as pollinators, seed dispersers, and natural pest controllers. If you enjoy a colorful salad or a…
Combustion Testing recommends Low Flammability, Waterwise Native Taxa for Defensible Space Landscaping. Throughout my Ph.D., I pursued questions about plant flammability, guided by the philosophy that more information will lead to improved safety outcomes and help us move towards a future where native ecology complements fire protection. With my start as the Garden’s Fire Scientist…
On May 12, 2026, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden partnered with Channel Islands Restoration and University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) to host its first Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) Blitz and training event at the San Marcos Foothills Preserve. Six volunteers joined Garden staff, along with representatives from local environmental organizations and the Fire Safe Council, to…
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,…
Last year, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden introduced a new nursery initiative designed to produce locally adapted plant material for restoring wildlands and for anyone wanting to support wildlife with regionally endemic native plants. We call this program our 805 Initiative, named for our area code, which stretches along the South and Central Coast of California,…
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.…
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