Twenty Percent Off Weekday Entry from October to December for Central Coast Residents During “Be Local, Plant Local: Celebrate Fall in the 805”

• Advanced Reservations Required; ID Listing Residency in Selected Counties Must be Presented at Entry
• Events Include Fall Planting Shopping at the Garden Nursery, After- Hours Family Events, Gallery Show, Poetry Events, Bird Walks, Classes about Gardening With Native Plants, and More
• Holidays: Debut of Hiking Guide for Holiday Wellbeing and Health; Holiday Shopping at Garden Shop
• High Resolution Photos Available at: https://bit.ly/46dCndn

Santa Barbara, Calif. – October 2, 2023 –

Residents living in five Central Coast counties receive a twenty percent discount on admissions to Santa Barbara Botanic Garden on weekdays (Monday to Friday) from October 1 through December 31, 2023. The special promotion “Be Local, Plant Local: Celebrate Fall in the 805” is available to “locals” in Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Kern Counties.

Events held during “Be Local, Plant Local” include the annual Fall Native Plant Shopping event at the Garden Nursery plus many other events including after-hours events for families, a photography exhibit at the Garden Gallery, two poetry events, morning bird walks, classes on native plant basics, pruning, insect identification, and more. In November, the Garden unveils hiking guides aimed at wellbeing and health during the holidays, and the Garden Shop unveils nature-inspired items for holiday gift-giving.

Advance reservations are required for Garden admission and the “Be Local, Plant Local” promotion. Upon arrival, guests must present their reservation and photo identification confirming residency to receive the promotional discount. Some events have separate registration and fees. See calendar listings below. For more information, visit https://sbbotanicgarden.org/insight/fall-planting-season-is-here.

“Fall is beautiful at the Garden when cooler temperatures trigger activity in plants and transform the Garden into a feast for the eyes,” said Keith Nevison, the Garden’s director of horticulture and operations. “Many plants only flower at this time of year, making for spectacular bursts of color. Some of my favorite fall plants are Purple Asters, Yellow Goldenrod, and California Fuchsia. The Garden is a must-see Fall destination.”

Fall Native Plant Shopping at the Garden Nursery

Each fall, the Garden’s Nursery increases their inventory of California native plants for a special shopping event, which coincides with the fall planting season. The Nursery already offers the largest selection of native plants on the California Coast, but adds more quantity and variety for this shopping event, including unique and hard-to-find species.

The shopping event is held Saturday and Sunday, November 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Garden reservations are not required for shopping at the Nursery. Shoppers park in a “member” parking spot and check-in at the front kiosk to receive a shopper pass.

A Garden members-only preview is Friday, November 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. Reservations are required, and are available in one-hour timeslots at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. To make reservations, visit https://sbbotanicgarden.org/classes-events/fall-planting-members-preview-event. For Garden membership, visit https://sbbotanicgarden.org/support/membership.

The Garden Nursery is located just inside the Garden entrance. Garden members receive a 10% discount on every purchase. A list of available plants and online shopping is available at www.shop.SBBotanicGarden.org.

Calendar Listings

For more event information, visit https://sbbotanicgarden.org/insight/fall-planting-season-is-here.

Fall Native Plant Shopping

For Members Only: Fall Native Plant Shopping Preview at the Garden Nursery

Friday, November 2 to 5 p.m.

Garden members enjoy a preview of the abundance of native plants for sale. Reservations required.

Fall Native Plant Shopping at the Garden Nursery

Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The largest selection of native plants on Central Coast is augmented with additional inventory for the fall planting season.

Ongoing Events

“Depth of Field: Botanical Photography Through the Low-key Lens” Gallery Exhibit

Now through December 9, 2023, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Photographs from the Garden’s Archives present dramatic portraits of native plants taken using dim background and bright light. Though created for scientific documentation, the striking images offer a beautiful aesthetic. Free with Garden admission.

Morning Bird Walks with Rebecca Coulter

Tuesdays, October 10, November 14, and December 10, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Join birding expert Rebecca Coulter as she leads group walks through the Garden for a morning of watching and listening for a variety of birds. Both beginner and experienced birders welcome. $30 ($20 for Garden members)

Free Nature Walks at Elings Park

Saturdays, October 21, November 18, and December 16, 9 to 10 a.m.

Join Garden experts for free walks through Elings Park to discover the biodiversity of the area and discover the progress of a new collaboration to restore an acre of the Park’s South Bluffs with California native plants. Held at Elings Park. Free.

October

WeDigBio – Community Science Event & Volunteer Opportunity

Thursday – Saturday, October 12 – 14

Join thousands of volunteers around the world to document data from the Garden’s collections as part of global citizen-science event Worldwide Engagement for Digitalizing Biocollections (WeDigBio). Held at the Garden’s Clifton Smith Herbarium. Free.

Introduction to Common California Garden Insects with Richard Merrill

Sunday, October 8, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Join Richard Merrill, founder of the Environmental Horticulture Department at Cabrillo Community College, for an introduction to the world of common garden insects. Held in the Garden’s Blakesley Library. $30 ($15 for Garden members)

Pruning Native California Plants Demo by Keith Nevison

Saturday, October 14, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Informative, hands-on, two-hour workshop on pruning native trees, shrubs, and perennials led by Keith Nevison, Director of Horticulture and Operations. Held outdoors in various garden locations. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

Fall Family Evening Event: All Hallows Evening in the Backcountry

Friday, October 20, 5 to 7 p.m.

Costumes encouraged for an evening of festive fun! Kids create nature masks, weave craft webs and make Halloween ornaments, then trick or treat for a nature-themed trinket. The evening wraps up with a costume parade. $10 Adults, $7 for children 3 to 7 years old (Garden members: $8 Adults, $5 for children 3 to 7 years old)

Poetry Workshop with David Starkey: Autumn Comes to the Garden

Saturday, October 21, 1 to 4 p.m.

Workshop participants, led by former Santa Barbara Poet Laureate David Starkey, explore and write poetry about the Garden, with a focus on native flora in autumn. Drafts are shared in small groups. No previous poetry writing experience is needed. Suggested minimum age is 18. Held in various garden locations. $40 ($35 for Garden members)

Introduction to the Principles of Native Plant Gardening with Matt Straka

Sunday, October 22, 9 to 11 a.m.

Introductory class for home gardeners interested in learning about native plants. Learn the basics of habitat gardening with native California plants. Includes classroom presentation, walk through the Garden, and visit to the Nursery. Led by Retail Manager Matt Straka, who runs the Nursery. Held in various garden locations. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

Advanced Track: Pruning California Plants with Stephanie Ranes

Saturday, October 28, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Advanced course for native plant gardeners to build upon their existing skillset. Garden Grounds Manager Stephanie Ranes covers the process of pruning a variety of California native trees, shrubs and perennials. Held outdoors in various garden locations. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

November

Morning Bird Walk with Scot Pipkin

Thursday, November 9, 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Join Scot Pipkin, the Garden’s director of education and engagement, leads a group walk through the Garden for a morning of watching and listening for a variety of birds. Both beginner and experienced birders are welcome. Bring binoculars and/or cameras. $30 ($20 for Garden members)

Fall Family Evening Event: Nature Night

Friday, November 10, 5 to 7 p.m.

Fun in the Garden as it transforms after dark. Discover what insects fly about at a black-light station, create nature luminaries to help illuminate the dark, enjoy a guided stroll and storytelling. The event takes place almost entirely in the dark; flashlights and blankets highly recommended. $10 Adults, $7 for children 3 to 7 years old (Garden members: $8 Adults, $5 for children 3 to 7 years old)

California Native Plant Irrigation with Alejandro Lemus

Saturday, November 11, 9 to 11 a.m.

Introductory class for home gardeners interested in learning about native plants. The Garden’s Horticultural Educator Alejandro Lemus reveals the dos and don’ts of how to use irrigation to create a thriving native garden. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

Poetry in the Garden: A Reading Celebration of a New Anthology of Poems

Sunday, November 12, 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Poetry reading by contributors to new anthology “Out of the Ground: Poets Respond to Santa Barbara Botanic Garden,” published by Gunpowder Press, in association with the Garden. Introduction by co-editor David Starkey and Chryss Yost, and by Scot Pipkin, the Garden’s director of education and engagement. Book available for purchase. Event is free with Garden admission.

Building Habitat in Your Home Gardening with Stephanie Ranes

Saturday, November 18, 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Introduction to how to better attract local animals to a home garden by using native plants and natural features with Garden Grounds Manager Stephanie Ranes. The hands-on course is held in various sections of the Garden. $40 ($25 for Garden members)

December

Holiday Shopping at the Garden Shop

A special selection of nature-inspired holiday gift items are available in the Garden Shop from Thanksgiving weekend through the end of the year. Garden reservations are not required for shopping at the Shop. Shoppers park in a “member” parking spot and check-in at the front kiosk to receive a shopper pass.

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