VOLUME 26, NUMBER 4 WINTER 2018

Nature EducatorsProviding transformative experiences for all ages

SAVING THE CATALINA IRONWOOD

GARDEN CALENDAR GARDEN RESOLUTIONS

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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGEMore to come in 2019

Dear Members, It has been a busy year at the Garden, working to document, protect, and restore the botanical diver-sity of the Central Coast, and celebrating that diversity through our Garden displays and classes.

Our Conservation staff surveyed over 290 miles of trails in the Los Padres National Forest to assess the impacts and natural recovery of the habitat affected by the Zaca and Jesusita fires – important work to inform our understanding of habitat recovery! Our work on the Channel Islands included the discovery of a new genus of parasitic wasp and confirmation that the very rare Malva Rosa (Malva assurgentiflora) on the Channel

Islands is really three different subspecies – making all even more at risk. The Garden’s work understanding these subspecies will be used to protect and recover these plants.

We’ve also been busy educating and inspiring the current and next gener-ation of conservationists. We were excited to welcome Scot Pipkin, our new Director of Education and Engagement, who joined us in August. In addition to our fantastic docents, this fall, we added five Nature Educators to our Education Department, who work directly with children in our school group visits. So far this year, more than 2,500 school children have visited the Garden!

The Garden was filled with even more kids during our second annual Fall Family Day. Thanks to our sponsor, Montecito Bank & Trust, we had a fun-filled day of nature play where kids’ admission was free! Stay tuned for more; a new garden space for kids has been designed for the area around the Children’s Maze, and we will have an exciting new exhibit in the Garden for families in 2019.

The Garden is beginning to awaken from its late summer and fall rest, ready to burst into exuberant growth with the first rains. The manzanitas, gooseberries and currants are already starting to bloom; the Meadow has been mowed and is about to be seeded. We put a finishing rock mulch on the new plantings at the front of the Desert Section, giving the Garden entrance a lovely new look.

None of this would be possible without you, our Members. It is your passion for the Garden and for California’s native plants that helps enhance and enrich all the ways the Garden makes an impact. As we enter a new year, we hope you will continue to support this amazing place where visitors can enjoy the beauty of Santa Barbara and its fantastic native flora!

See you in the Garden,

Steve Windhager, Ph.D.Executive Director

IRONWOOD Volume 26, Number 4 | Winter 2018ISSN 1068-4026

EDITOR Flannery HillDESIGNER Paula Schaefer

Ironwood is published quarterly by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, a private nonprofit institution founded in 1926. The Garden conserves California native plants and habitats for the health and well-being of people and the planet. The Garden is a member of the American Public Gardens Association, the American Alliance of Museums, the California Association of Museums, and the American Horticultural Society. ©2018 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. All rights reserved.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden1212 Mission Canyon Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Tel (805) 682-4726 sbbg.org

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It has been a busy year at the Garden working to document, protect, and restore the botanical diversity of the Central Coast.

“A 15- minute walk in nature enhances creativity, mood and emotional well-being,” said Dr. Daily. “My goal is to bring that understanding to urban planners, who can use nature as a tool to tackle mental health issues.”

WINTER 2018 Ironwood 3

Meet Gretchen Daily2019 Pritzlaff Conservation AwardeeBy Denise Knapp, Director of Conservation & Research

Saving the earth’s biodiversity, and the human health and well-being that rely on that biodiversity, will require all of the tools at our disposal – and Dr. Gretchen Daily is wielding a unique and valuable tool in the toolbox. She is a champion of the “ecosystem services” concept (the benefits supplied to human societies by natural ecosys-tems), and has worked tirelessly to integrate this concept into the decision-making processes of countries, companies, communities, and organizations across the globe.

As Founder and Faculty Director of the Natural Capital Project, Dr. Daily and her team work with world leaders on diverse projects such as planning development and nature reserves in China, transportation decisions in Latin America, and habitat resto-ration in Africa. This work builds from Gretchen’s research as an ecologist, including her work to characterize the drivers of biodiversity loss, to understand ecological dynam-

ics in agricultural and pastoral landscapes, and to examine trade-offs between conservation objectives. Further, her collab-

orative research on such topics as water-related services, control of environmentally transmitted diseases, and the physical and mental benefits of nature experiences are informing the models used to guide environmentally sustainable decision-making.

Dr. Daily is the Bing Professor of Environmental Science and Director of the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford, as well as a Senior Fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. She received her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, and has been the recipient of many other awards, including the Blue Planet Prize in 2017. Her work has been cited nearly 23,000 times.

About the Natural Capital ProjectThe Natural Capital Project works to integrate the value nature provides to society into all major decisions. Its ultimate objective is to improve the well-being of all people and nature by motivating greater and more targeted natural capital investments. The Natural Capital Project works to develop and apply scientifically rigor-ous approaches to incorporate natural capital into decisions; create innovative software tools to model, map, and value nature’s benefits to society; build capacity worldwide to use ecosys-tem service understanding to inform decisions; and engage influential leaders to advance change in policy and practice.

How does one measure the value of nature?The Natural Capital Project finds ways to portray the value of nature to society in a variety of metrics that matter to people. Most of the time, decision-makers do not request monetary value metrics, but rather are most interested in the supply of an ecosystem service in biophysical metrics, such as tons of carbon stored, or the amount of sediment or nutrient retained in a watershed.

Source: The Natural Capital Project

Dr. Gretchen Daily

Seventh AnnualSanta Barbara Botanic Garden

Conservation Symposium

TRAILBLAZING WOMEN

IN CONSERVATION

Saturday, February 2

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Santa Barbara County Education Office

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Dr. Gretchen Daily

register at sbbg.org/symposium

4 Ironwood WINTER 2018

Nature EducatorsProviding transformative experiences for all ages

by Scot Pipkin, Director of Education and Engagement

Nature Educators, Rebecca Hext, Verenice Zuniga, Sara Kovalsky, Hannah Sander, and Teagan Singer-Fredericksen

WINTER 2018 Ironwood 5

T he Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is constantly renewing its commitment to connecting people with the remarkable native flora of California and specifically

the Central Coast. Mounting evidence over the last decade indicates that young people spend less time learning from the natural world, lowering overall environmental literacy and our commu-nal sense of connection to nature. Terms such as “nature deficit disorder” and “plant blind-ness” are accepted as contemporary realities, but the Garden works to combat these trends with science education that is rooted in transforma-tive experiences with native plants. This effort is particularly true of the Garden’s elementary field trip programs, which invites classes to attend a docent-led field trip to the Garden. Recently, the Garden increased its capac-ity to inspire young minds by providing tours for additional elementary class-rooms and an upgraded plant lab that students and teachers can utilize to reveal phenomena that are often “hidden in plain sight.”

There is a great deal of evidence that youth form strong affinities with the natural world and its conservation through exploratory interaction in natural spaces and by observing adults who enjoy time in nature. With generous funding from foundations and individual donors, the Garden has launched a new Nature Educator program, which allows us to hire and train five early career professionals to be environmental educators at the Garden. This fall, the Nature Educators shared their passion for native plants and the natural world with more than 700 elementary students.

Although the Nature Educator program allows hundreds of additional elementary students to experience our living museum, they are not the only ones who benefit from this project. The Nature Educators themselves are gaining leader-ship skills and learning how to become natural resource professionals. All five of the Educators are either enrolled in college or recent gradu-ates, so this opportunity represents a first look into the vast, but sometimes obscure world of natural resource careers. This program represents a perfect opportunity to build skills in life sciences and explore the career opportunities afforded by environmental education.

“I look forward to learning more about California native pants and environmental educa-tion from working at the Garden,” said Nature Educator Teagan Singer-Fredericksen. “It was something that seemed important to me and I also really look forward to making a positive impact on the students.” Teagan grew up in Carpinteria and visiting the Garden was a fixture of her childhood. This program is an opportunity to give back to a place that inspired her.

Fellow Nature Educator Rebecca Hext echoed Teagan’s excitement for building an environmen-tally-engaged community. She says, “I grew up in a small town that had a huge emphasis on commu-nity involvement, and I am actually still a part of

many organizations there even though I moved away. Being someone that only recently has moved to Santa Barbara, I am looking forward to being more involved with this community and creating a strong sense of pride and place through my work with the Garden.”

Although environmental education programs and facilities date back to the 1960s, there is still a limited pathway for young professionals to enter environmental education as a career. Vocational programs and environmental education degrees in California are few. With the Nature Educators program, the Garden hopes to become an incuba-tor for students, early career professionals, and those seeking to make a career change to get a foothold in this profession.

With the Nature Educators program, the Garden hopes

to become an incubator for students, early career profes-

sionals, and those seeking to make a career change to

get a foothold in natural resources professions. M

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6 Ironwood WINTER 2018

Nature Educators, continued

“We really want to develop something that provides a service to those who are considering working in environmental education or conser-vation fields,” said Michelle Cyr, the Garden’s Education Coordinator and manager of the Nature Educators program. “It wasn’t too long ago that I was in a similar position to our current Nature Educators. Fresh out of school, I had to figure out how to break into this field myself. It would have been great to participate in a program like the Nature Educators.”

For this reason, there is an empha-sis on making as much training avail-able to the Nature Educators as possible. In addition to the mandatory two-day training that outlines philosophy, curric-ula, safety concepts, and Garden orien-tation, the Nature Educators are encouraged to attend an additional six-hour Project Learning Tree (PLT) certification and the forty-hour California Naturalist program, at no cost to the Educators. In this inaugural year of the program, two of the educators opted to participate in both the PLT training and California Naturalist. This training is further supported by weekly team meetings and an open door policy to check in with any member of the Garden’s education department.

As with our recent efforts to ensure that Garden docents working with elementary students are familiar with the principles of science learning outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), all Nature Educator training has emphasized fluency in NGSS and inquiry-based learning. Field trips led by Nature Educators feature a tour around the Garden with an emphasis on sensory experiences and famil-iarization with the features of California’s native landscapes. During this part of the tour, students get the chance to explore the bark of a redwood tree, or spend considerable time with a single plant, observing its foliage, growth form, or possi-bly flowers. Based on the observations they make, the students are asked to devise their own

name for the plant, reflecting what the student observed.

After exploring the Garden and interact-ing with its collections, students are invited into the Arroyo Room, which has been recently upgraded as a 21st century plant investigation lab. The Arroyo Room is equipped with twelve Zeiss dissecting microscopes and one teacher scope whose image can be broadcast onto a large

screen at the front of the room. In the plant lab, students are given the opportunity to marvel at the hidden worlds of an Opuntia cactus skeleton, or the architecture of a composite flower’s disk floret. Students are encouraged to make sketches of their observations and to reflect on their experiences through writing. Following a tour led by Nature Educators, teachers are invited to bring their classes into the plant lab for further investigation.

Between the field trips led by the Nature Educators and those led by volunteer Docents, the Garden anticipates it will provide field trips for over 2,000 students this school year. And it’s only the beginning. As the Nature Educator program develops, we will seek to provide more extensive training and recruit larger cohorts of Nature Educators, who in turn will be capable of providing transformative experiences for more students in the Tri-County area. In the meantime, if you are in the Garden on a Friday morning and see a group of students wearing blindfolds, think about your formative experiences in the natural world and know that we working to give those same feelings to the next generation of land stewards.

As the Nature

Educator program

develops, we will

seek to provide

more extensive

training and recruit

larger cohorts of

Nature Educators,

who in turn will be

capable of provid-

ing transformative

experiences for

more students in

the Tri-County area.

WINTER 2018 Ironwood 7

Rebecca Hext

Rebecca is a recent gradu-ate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in English. Originally from Manhattan Beach, Rebecca fervently advocates for time in nature. “One of my biggest personal passions is educating children about the wonders of the

outdoors in hopes to encourage them to take a break from technology and make decisions in their lives that help preserve and protect our natural surroundings.”

Rebecca is currently enrolled in the California Naturalist Certification Program at the Garden.

Sara Kovalsky

As an Earth Science major with an emphasis on climate and the environment, Sara is a welcome addition to the Nature Educator team. Sarah currently studies at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She looks forward to spread-ing the message about the

Garden’s mission and learning more about the native plants! Originally from Encinitas, California, Sara first devel-

oped her love of nature by going to the beach as a kid. Her hobbies include camping, hiking, and surfing!

Hannah Sanders

Originally from Downey, California, Hannah is currently double major-ing in Environmental Studies and Chicana Studies, with a minor in Education, at UCSB.

“Working at the Garden is definitely a highlight of my week. I look forward to spending

time with our school groups; their love and excite-ment helps me appreciate everything around me as if I were seeing it for the first time!”

After graduation, Hannah hopes to get her master’s in Education. Outside her work at the Garden, Hannah is part of the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) at UCSB where she is working on a project to restore an old golf course back into a native habitat

Teagan Singer-Fredericksen

Teagan grew up in Santa Barbara, and first came to the Garden on a field trip in elementary school. She is currently enrolled in Oregon State University’s Natural Resources program.

She looks forward to making a positive impact

on the students that come to the Garden to learn more about their environment and all the amazing things plants have to offer. “I encourage them to experience the Garden hands on and teach them about plants and animals through both observation and experience.”

In her free time, Teagan loves to go surfing, and tries to make it to the beach at least once a day!

Verenice Zuniga

Verenice is originally from Oxnard, California and is a recent gradu-ate from UCSB with a degree in Environmental Studies and Theatre, making her a natural fit as a Nature Educator. “I look forward to inspir-ing the next generation of

kids to be more observant and appreciative of nature. Being able to teach outdoors and have students inter-act with what they are learning about is super exciting.”

Verenice’s favorite section of the Garden is the Redwoods.

Meet the Nature Educators

8 Ironwood WINTER 2018

How do we make a better start, a more wholesome start, within the

small gardens in which we each have control? What New Year’s resolu-

tions will make our gardens more sustainable?

“Sustainable” is a term much bandied about. This is at least partly

because its meaning is so instantly understandable and at the same time difficult to define. This instant recog-

nition and lack of definition means that almost any context in which the term is

used sounds reasonable or will find some in agreement. The concept touches on many aspects of life and so definitions

are not easy to make. But a good way to think of the idea is to think of how it relates to dirt.

Resolution: build the soil in your yard! Soil is much more than dirt. Millions of different species of organisms live and eat in fertile soils, like your small garden plot. The number of individual organisms, even in a small volume, soars into the billions.

Every bit of dead organic material is a buffet for uncounted numbers of creatures, each break-ing down the material into further products available to other creatures. While bacteria and fungi are the most numerous members of this vast community (and they are legion, in both numbers of species and in numbers of individuals) they are by no means the only creatures conditioning and processing the soil under our feet. Soil-dwelling arthropods, a huge group of animals related to insects, crabs and spiders are numerous and range in scale from the visible to the microscopic. The many species with diverse body types have many roles, such as shredding leaf litter, decompos-ing litter, preying on other microbes and more.

Leaf litter and other organic waste are a treasure trove of stored nutrients. Keeping this material and composting it saves the costs of transporting it away and of buying new fertilizers. Other single-celled „animals” besides bacte-ria are also important. Amoebas are examples of these kinds of creatures, generally referred to as flagellates. Unlike most bacteria, they are mobile, using little whips or tentacles as motors. They engulf and „process” bacteria and other organic matter. Many types of worms, such as

earthworms and nematodes, are also a significant part of this underground kingdom. Earthworms both eat and move by engulfing the soil in front of them and passing it through their body. And here is the magic of their work and the work of all these other creatures – not only do the worms take some nutrient value from this matter, but they also chemically change the matter that is excreted and passed on. Humic acids are added, mucous is added, and many existing materials are combined by the action of the stomachs of these many and varied creatures. These new materi-als free otherwise inaccessible nutrients, food, for other creatures and most importantly to plants.

Of course, this part of the cycle is where our self-interest lies. We need the soil to remain fertile because we depend on plants to grow to provide us food, to soak up carbon dioxide and produce more and more oxygen. Even the most dedicated meat-eater is depending on plants to provide food for his favorite future meal. In this largely unseen cycle, the waste of one creature becomes food for another. Any bit of waste is processed multiple times and in many ways. What was once a dead leaf becomes food for another plant, and so, food for us.

The removal of leaf litter and other organic matter has become an accepted, even expected part of landscape maintenance in the last few decades. Tidy yards with no hint of a fallen leaf or any decay are appealing to some. It certainly shows attention to detail. Unfortunately this is an effort which leaves the soil impov-erished. Without new organic material for microbes to break down, many of their popula-tions will decline, hibernate or die. Without their continuing activity, plants will exhaust the available nutrients in time, leaving the soil more sterile and less able to support life.

Now, while the moist season is still with us, is the time to plant. Using natural cycles and forces to our advantage saves us energy we would otherwise expend. But true sustainabil-ity depends on more than energy savings. To achieve a sustainable culture we need to find broad uses for all of our waste in the way that the great population under our feet already does.

Adapted from an article originally published in the Santa Barbara News Press.

by Bruce Reed, Horticulturist

Resolution for the Garden

"Leaf litter and other organic waste are a treasure trove of stored nutrients. Keeping this material and composting it saves the costs of transporting it away and of buying new fertilizers."

WINTER 2018 Ironwood 9

Free docent tours: every Saturday/Sunday 11am & 2pm, Mondays 2pm / Discovery stations: Saturdays 10:30am–1:30pm, Sundays 1–3pm

Pricing: member / non-member / volunteer

CALENDARTHE SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN

ADDITIONAL CLASSES MAY BE ADDEDFind up-to-date information and register atsbbg.org/classes-events or call (805) 682-4726, ext. 102

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Advanced Native Plant Garden MaintenanceGet expert advice on pruning, fertilizing, proper irrigation, and general maintenance of established native plant gardens. 10am-1:30pm $30/$45

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Volunteer OrientationBecome a Garden volunteer and support our conservation efforts. Come to the Volunteer Cottage to learn about the diverse opportunities and the simple steps to get started. Orientation includes a behind-the-scenes tour of our facili-ties. 5pm-6:30pm. Free

Morning Bird WalkExpert naturalist Rebecca Coulter leads a morning group in watching and listening for the diverse and beautiful birds that make the Meadow, woodlands, and creekside their home. All skill levels welcome. 8:30am-10am. $10/$15/$5

Gallery Exhibition: The Reason for the SeasonsThe striking watercolor paintings and collages by local artist Lenore Tolegian Hughes express the cycles of jubilation and mourning that, according to ancient Greek mythology, Demeter, goddess of agriculture and harvest, experiences with the passing seasons as her daughter, Persephone descends to Hades in the fall and returns in the spring. 9am-5pm. Free with Garden admission

Reason for the Season: Opening ReceptionMeet the artist and enjoy light refreshments. 2-4pm. Free (registration required)

Grow Your Own: Seeds to SoilGrowing native plants from seed is one of the most fulfill-ing ways to propagate and ensure variety in your garden. Learn to ensure high germination rates and select seeds in our Horticultural Nursery with Garden Plant Propagation Manager, Heather Wehnau-Federlein. 1-4pm. $5/$45/$30

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Teahouse OpenVisitors and members are invited to experience our ShinK-anAn Teahouse and garden and witness the rich traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony. 11am-1pm. Free with Garden admission

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Free docent tours: every Saturday/Sunday 11am & 2pm, Mondays 2pm / Discovery stations: Saturdays 10:30am–1:30pm, Sundays 1–3pm

CALENDARTHE SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN

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Yoga in the GardenJoin Michelle Rousseau for an empowering all-levels yoga class with an unforgettable view from the Pritzlaff Conser-vation Center patio. 3:30-4:30pm. Free for members, $10 for nonmembers

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Free Senior DayWelch-Ryce Haider invites visitors 60 and better to visit the Garden as their guests. Seniors pay no admission today and can enjoy a holiday wreath making class. For groups of 10 and larger, please make a reservation by calling (805) 682-4726, ext. 160.

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General Volunteer TrainingShare your passion for native plants, natural history, and foster the conservation of California’s flora by serving as a Garden volunteer. Receive essential Garden information and learn about the various volunteer opportunities avail-able. No experience required. 10am-1pm. $15 materials fee.

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Many ManzanitasCalifornia is home to more than 60 species of manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp), many of which are on display at the Garden and available for residential use. Take a walking tour of the Garden’s manzanita collection with Horticul-turist Bruce Reed. Learn about the wide variety of native manzanitas, and which work best in your home garden. 10:30am-12pm. $15/$25/$10

Teahouse OpenSee December 8. 11am-1pm. Free with admission

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Morning Bird WalkSee December 5. 8:30am-10am. $10/$15/$5

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Pricing: member / non-member / volunteer

ADDITIONAL CLASSES MAY BE ADDEDFind up-to-date information and register atsbbg.org/classes-events or call (805) 682-4726, ext. 102

Yoga in the GardenSee December 12. 4:15-5:15pm. Free for members, $10 for nonmembers

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Grow Your Own: Native Plants from CuttingsDo you have the perfect plant in your garden that you wish you had more of? Vegetative propagation is a great way to grow clones of your favorite plants and minimizes some of the unpredictable aspects of growing from seed. Learn how to grow California native plants vegetatively from cuttings in this hands-on workshop including the basics of cutting propagation and specific guidelines for California natives. 1-4pm. $5/$45/$30

Herbal Medicine Walk: Respiratory SystemRunny nose? Cough that won’t disappear? Relief may just be a hike away! Discover the medicinal uses of selected California natives for respiratory health and healing during this walk through the Garden. 10am-12pm. $25/$35/$15

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Seventh Annual Santa Barbara Botanic GardenConservation SymposiumThis year’s symposium is themed “Trailblazing Women in Conservation,” and features Dr. Gretchen Daily as the

Honorable John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Awardee. Hear her keynote address and lectures by five other inspiring women scientists, followed by an engaging panel discus-sion. The Symposium is at the Santa Barbara County Education Office. 10am-4pm. $45/$50/Student $20

Winter Wellness Medicine Making WorkshopAssemble your own take-home winter wellness kit. Using California native plants, create herbal preparations includ-ing sinus steams, herbal chest rubs, cold and flu baths, and bronchial remedies. 2-5pm. $65/$85

Volunteer OrientationSee December 3. 5pm-6:30pm. Free

Raise Your Heart Rate HikeEarly morning is one of the most magical times in the Garden. It’s also one of the best times of the day to take a hike! Raise your heart rate and your nature knowledge on this morning hike with Scot Pipkin, our new Director of Education and Engagement. 8:30am-10:30am. Free for members, $5 for nonmembers

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Bring the Wild InsideWhat’s better than a Valentine’s Day arrangement for your sweetheart? A Valentine’s Day arrangement of native California plants made by YOU! In this workshop, students will learn the basics of flower arrangement, experiment with different native foliage, and create your own bouquet just in time for Valentine’s Day! 1-4:30pm. $30/$45

Teahouse OpenSee December 8. Free with admission

Yoga in the GardenSee December 12. 4:15-5:15pm. Free for members, $10 nonmembers

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Pricing: member / non-member / volunteer

Free docent tours: every Saturday/Sunday 11am & 2pm, Mondays 2pm / Discovery stations: Saturdays 10:30am–1:30pm, Sundays 1–3pm

CALENDARTHE SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN

ADDITIONAL CLASSES MAY BE ADDEDFind up-to-date information and register atsbbg.org/classes-events or call (805) 682-4726, ext. 102

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Free Senior DayWelch-Ryce Haider invites visitors 60 and better to visit the Garden as their guests. Seniors pay no admission today and can enjoy special programming. For groups of 10 and larger, please make a reservation by calling (805) 682-4726, ext. 161.

Morning Bird WalkSee December 5. 8:30am-10am. $10/$15/$5

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Herbal Medicine Walk: Skin Care RemediesSpring should be your time to shine, but sometimes the gloom of winter needs more than a simple face wash. Take a walk around the Garden with experienced Herbalist Emily Sanders as she covers the medicinal skin-care uses of selected California natives. 10am-12pm. $25/$35/$15

Volunteer OrientationSee December 3. 5pm-6:30pm. Free

Teahouse OpenSee December 8. 11am-1pm. Free with admission

Morning Bird WalkSee December 5. 8:30am-10am. $10/$15/$5

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Santa Barbara Beer GardenEnjoy one-of-a-kind, craft beers from local breweries while exploring the Garden. Indulge in snacks and treats from select local vendors as well as live music all while experi-encing California native plants in the beautiful setting of the Garden. Find details at sbbg.org/beer

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Herbal Spa KitCreate a unique Mother’s Day gift during this hands-on workshop where you will learn to craft your own herbal spa kit using California native plants. 2-5pm. $65/$85

To register for classes and for up-to-date information visit sbbg.org/classes-events or call (805) 682-4726, ext. 102.

Sign up for Garden Gazette, the Garden’s biweekly e-newsletter, at sbbg.org and be the first to know about additional classes, trips, and events. Check sbbg.org for Channel Islands field trips.

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YOU MAKE ITPOSSIBLE!

The Garden is actively investigating propa-gation methods of this endangered species in order to increase the probability of successful growth of wild populations.

Find the island barberry in the Garden at the Pritzlaff Conservation Center.

Northern Island Tree Mallow(Malva assurgentiflora)D. KNAPP

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FEDERALLY ENDANGEREDIsland barberry (Berberis pinnata ssp. insularis)

UNDERSTAND . PROTECT . RESTORE

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WANTED! 4x4 VEHICLE

Your tax-deductible donation of a 4-wheel drive, 4-door vehicle in good running condition will help the Garden's Conservation & Research Team reach remote destinations. Contact Heidi Whitman at hwhitman@sbbg.org or call (805) 682-4726, ext. 133.

Support the Garden with a Tax-Free IRA Charitable Rollover

If you are 70½ or older, support the Garden by making a tax-free distribution from your IRA directly to the Garden before December 31. For more information, contact your professional advisor, or Heidi Whitman, Director of Development and Communications at: hwhitman@sbbg.org.

THANK YOU! Your passion for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and California’s native plants has contributed to our most successful year to date. Many ambitious projects have been possible - all thanks to your investment in the Garden!

We need your help to keep the momen-tum going forward. Your year-end donation to the Garden will support:

• Maintenance of the Garden grounds as an inspirational, educational, scientific, and historic resource

• Rare plant research in the field and in the lab to help us understand and apply how to best protect and restore California’s unique diversity of native plants

• Curation of our herbarium collection and seed bank of critically endangered plant species, and so much more!

DOUBLE THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT!

Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000 thanks to a

generous donor.

GIVE TODAYsbbg.org/donate

14 Ironwood WINTER 2018

SAVING THE

Catalina Ironwood

Photos clockwise starting from this page,

bottom left:

We used an old parachute to catch seed

heads when we could.

Ironwoods grow on incredibly steep

slopes in hard to reach, shaded, north-fac-

ing canyons.

Long pole pruners were needed to reach

the fruits at the tops of the trees. We

modified a fishing net to catch the falling

seed heads.

Flowers and fruits of this rose family tree.

Each grove is a single genetic clone

– individuals spread slowly by stump

sprouts.

Betsy Lape & James Gardner (volunteer).

Betsy Lape, Wes Franken, Betsy Collins &

Heather Wehnau on the northwest end of

Catalina.

Photos and story by Betsy Collins, Director of Horticulture

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The island ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribun-dus), found only on the Channel Islands, is one of the rarest trees in California. There are two subspecies: the more familiar Santa

Cruz Island form (L. f. ssp. asplenifolius) which has fern-like leaves and occurs on three of the north-ern Channel Islands, and the Catalina Island form (L. f. ssp. floribundus) which has entire leaves and occurs only on Catalina Island. The fossil record reveals that about 10 million years ago, Lyonothamus was widespread in western North America when the climate was cooler and wetter. Today, ironwoods are reduced to a narrow range of habitat on their island refuges: primarily on cool north-facing coastal slopes, often along small faults where they have greater access to water, and on sites with cold-air drainage.

On Catalina Island, the trees occur in small groves, with all trunks within a grove being clones representing a single genetic individual. Groves are created over thousands of years as the ironwoods spread very slowly by stump sprouting, which happens when tree stumps on the ground or stumps of removed branches regenerate into new trees. There are only about 110 groves of Catalina ironwood remaining – basically only 110 individual plants. Because ironwoods produce very little viable seed in the wild, it is extremely unusual to find seedlings on the islands.

All these factors combine to make the Catalina ironwood very vulnerable to environ-mental threats like fire, trampling and browsing by feral animals, and climate change. With funding from the Tree Gene Conservation Project, the Garden has embarked on efforts to propagate the Catalina ironwood and establish a conservation collection represent-ing all the genetic diversity of the subspecies. Horticulture staff visited 29 groves this year collecting cuttings (in the spring) and fruits (in the fall). Unfortunately, the cuttings failed, which was not unexpected as they are not usually grown from cuttings. We plan to try other treatments and techniques over the coming year to see if we can develop a success-ful method for getting cuttings to root.

Garden staff, led by Betsy Lape, Living Collections Coordinator, scrambled and climbed across very rugged and steep terrain to collect fruits from 20 groves – nine had failed to flower this year. We collected bags of fruit – as much as we could reach – in hopes of obtain-ing a few viable seed. The fruits were dried, then cleaned, then carefully sorted to find seed. We will attempt to germinate any seed we find. Any plants that result from our efforts will both be planted in the Garden and distrib-uted to Garden partners in northern California for establishment of satellite collections.

Garden Horticulture

staff and volunteers

spent five days on

Catalina Island collect-

ing seed of the Catalina

Ironwood. This tree is

found nowhere else on

earth and is of great

conservation concern

due to our changing

climate. We visited 25

of the estimated 110

groves on the Island

and were able to collect

fruit from 19 of them.

GARDEN CASITAS CALL FOR ENTRIES

Architects, contractors, design-build teams, hobbyists, artists, and students are all encouraged to submit playhouse designs.

On display July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019

16 Ironwood WINTER 2018

Caitlin Lam Education Programs Assistant

Caitlin’s path to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is intertwined with her interest in the deep connection between people and nature. “I love plants and gardening, and want to work in spaces where people can learn about and develop relationships with plants.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s in Community Development from the University of California, Davis, Caitlin moved to the Central Coast and is currently studying Environmental Horticulture at Santa Barbara City College.

In addition to being surrounded by her new Garden commu-nity, Caitlin also enjoys the Garden’s abundant varieties of California buckwheat. “I love all kinds of buckwheat. Their lofty, springy flower stalks are so joyful, and their flowers are almost more beautiful dried than fresh.”

The Garden welcomes

N EW STAFF

CONGRATULATIONS!Peter Schuyler Awarded Volunteer of the Year

On November 15, 2018, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden volunteer, and Board of Trustees Chair, Peter Schuyler received the Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award.

WATCH THE VIDEO!

at sbbg.org

LEARN MORE AND ENTER AT

sbbg.org/gardencasitas

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITES

from the Nursery

Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata)This stunning tree has large purple/pink flowers various times of the year. It is under-used in landscapes, considering how lovely, easy, and drought hardy it is. The plants we sell were grown from seed of our tree here at the Garden, so purchase one and take a part of the garden home with you.

Live-forever (Dudleya)Dudleya are a favorite California native succulent. They are often grown in contain-ers, but can be used in borders, among rocks, in succulent gardens, and as ground covers. Their tubular flowers on long stalks range in color from white to yellow to orange/red in spring. Did you know they are pollinated by hummingbirds?

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the GARDEN SHOP

G A R D E N S H O P H O U R S : M A R – O C T :

9 a m – 6 p m

N OV – F E B : 9 a m – 5 p m

( 8 0 5 ) 6 8 2 - 4 7 2 6 , e x t . 112

I N F O @ S B B G . O R G

Take home fabulous gifts at a great price – while supplies last!

Select 2018

OVERSTOCKED MERCHANDISE

SALE

WINTER 2018 Ironwood 17

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 Make Holiday Wreaths and Swags

free SENIOR

DAYSfor seniors

60 years old and better!

Check for 2019 dates at sbbg.org/seniors

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General admission tickets go on sale in February 2019. Stay

up-to-date at sbbg.org/beer

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE BEER GARDEN?

Check out these Garden fundraisers hosted by Topa Topa Brewing Company

• WEDS, DEC 5 / 5:30 PM – 9:30 PMSanta Barbara Taproom

• TUES, JAN 15 / 4:30 PM – 8:30 PMVentura Taproom

Check Facebook for more information!

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GARDEN PeopleTOP ROW

Teahouse volunteer Takako Wakita, cen-ter, was awarded the prestigious Foreign Minister’s Commendation by the Consul General of Japan for her work promot-ing Japanese arts and culture in the U.S. Shown with members of the Teahouse group.Photo by K. Kasai

Volunteer Eileen Jai face painting at Fall Family Day Photo by K. Castaneda

Volunteer Laurie Koc processing rare seeds in the lab Photo by H. Schneider

Film director Karyl Evans screens her film, The Life and Gardens of Beatrix FarrandPhoto by N. Wiezel

MIDDLE ROW

Bruce Reed, Natalie Wiezel, Stephanie Calloway (pie contest winner), and Randy Wright at the staff picnicPhoto by F. Hill

Guests shop and socialize at the Fall Na-tive Plant Sale preview partyPhoto by R. Wright

Volunteer Rema Murphy and her grand-son, Kai Nishiya, enjoy Fall Family DayPhoto by K. Castaneda

Conservation & Research team and volun-teers clean rare seeds in the labPhoto by S. Calloway

BOTTOM ROW

Heidi Whitman, Joan Evans, Michaela Ackerman, and Barbara Backlund at the staff picnicPhoto by R. Wright

Gardener Jason Nelson receives his 15-year service award at the staff picnicPhoto by R. Wright

Head Gardener Dave Kershaw receives his 35-year service award at the staff picnicPhoto by R. Wright

Volunteer Claire Tuohey-Mote and Caitlin Lam, Education Assistant, help set up the Fall Native Plant SalePhoto by R. Wright

18 Ironwood WINTER 2018

WINTER 2018 Ironwood 19

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NONPROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDSANTA BARBARA, CA

PERMIT NO. 4511212 Mission Canyon Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105-2126 sbbg.org • (805) 682-4726

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Picture your next event

at the GardenHoliday parties • Weddings

Corporate meetings • Conferences

Lectures • Special events

CONTACT Natalie Wiezel, Events Coordinatornwiezel@sbbg.org

(805) 682-4726, ext. 103