DonateEncouraging outdoor exploration
Backcountry Casitas Program
The Backcountry Casitas program introduces a collection of temporary and uniquely designed outdoor playhouses, which aim to motivate children to engage more closely with nature through play and exploration. Each Casitas is thoughtfully designed and crafted to offer children a space that fosters self-discovery and sparks imagination. The imaginative playhouses prioritize the use of natural materials, with each design drawing inspiration from the Garden’s mission to promote the preservation of California’s native plants.
Each of these creative, interactive playhouses has been designed to provide garden guests with unique perspectives on the wonders of nature. They are a delightful addition to our new Backcountry area, which encourages children and adults to explore and discover.
Scot Pipkin, Garden Director of Education
Make a reservation to explore our 2022 Casitas in the Backcountry.
Contact
SCot Pipkin
spipkin@sbbotanicgarden.org
805.690-1693
Membership
Membership at the Garden certainly does come with perks, but it’s so much more than that. As a member, you’re part of a community of native-plant advocates who are leading a movement toward a healthier planet, one native seed at a time.
Volunteer
Maybe you’ve had an urge to dig your hands in the dirt. Or perhaps you want to help things grow. You might enjoy enhancing our visitors’ experience or you may be a behind-the-scenes type who wants to lend a hand. Whatever your motivation, we welcome your talent and enthusiasm at our non profit.
Our Approach
The Garden’s approach to conservation is a lot like the layers of a cake — from a strong foundation, each layer relies on the next to be successful.
Our Impact
With a team of scientists and partners, the Garden is leaving a lasting impact — from Baja California, Mexico, and the Channel Islands to the Bay Area and Sierra Nevada.
Understanding Biodiversity
Before you can conserve species, you have to know what they are, where they are found, and which communities they form. It also helps to know their evolutionary history, since knowing their past helps us to predict and preserve their future.
Our biodiversity team at the Garden works to do many things: explore California’s plant and lichen diversity; create specimens for study in the Clifton Smith Herbarium, the Lichenarium, and the Fungarium; determine specimen similarities and differences; and describe new species.
Our team also works to determine the genetic diversity of rare plant populations (which can help to inform conservation actions) and to understand animal diets and food webs through DNA meta-barcoding.
Synergy
The Power of Collaboration
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
— African Proverb
Across our projects, you’ll notice that we have many partners in this work, because it makes us better. This includes other non-governmental organizations like The Nature Conservancy, state entities like universities and state parks, and federal institutions from the Department of Defense to the National Park Service.
Bee (tribe Anthophorini) and sage (Salvia sp.)
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.) and Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Monarch (Danaus plexippus) on California buckeye (Aesculus californica)
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Give the Gift of Membership
Give your loved ones the meaningful gift of year-round access to the Garden. Each gift of membership includes a mailed welcome packet and digital membership card to the recipient. To purchase, choose which level you’d like to gift and select “Give as a Gift”.
The Solution is in Our Hands – and Our Gardens.
Join us as we plant with purpose to ensure biodiversity thrives for generations to come. Whether it’s in our garden or yours, together we can change our behaviors and harness the power of native plants to heal our planet.
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