Caroline Shepherd

Caroline spends lots of time out in the field improving habitats for plants and critters, and she also can be found at the Garden working on data analysis and science communications and hosting volunteer events.

As a habitat restoration manager, Caroline Shepherd analyzes current site conditions, considers past environmental conditions, and implements plans to restore ecological function to project areas in and around Santa Barbara County. This often requires extensive weed removal strategies before any work can be done, and restoration plans at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden sometimes include exciting scientific experiments, which she enjoys being part of.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental biology, minoring in communication, at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. After working in conservation and environmental services for a few years, she returned to school to earn her master’s degree in environmental science and management from the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. From there, Caroline quickly joined the Conservation and Research Department at the Garden and now happily and tirelessly contributes to the restoration of native plants.

Research interests: conservation and restoration, watershed ecology, science communication, soil science, botany