Director’s Message
A
s I look back on this past season, I’m so proud of the work Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the community (that's you!) are doing together. We've worked with The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and U.S. Geological Survey to delist two rare plants on the Channel Islands, kicked off our first Landscape Transformation Project at Elings Park, launched a certification program for landscape professionals, removed numerous invasive species in Mission Canyon before they could become established, welcomed nearly 250 kids and their families to learn about native plants through our Summer Camp program, grew our membership to over 6,000 households, and more. And this is just the beginning. With the changing seasons comes a fresh chapter here at the Garden — a chapter holding ambitious goals of transforming landscapes across California’s central coast by 2030. It’s our most audacious challenge yet — one that focuses on securing the future of every native plant in our region and the intricate web of life they sustain. Through these goals, our commitment to wildlands diversity remains steadfast, but we’re also eager to redefine how landscapes around homes and businesses are managed.
That’s why I am excited to share with you our three strategies to develop whole, vibrant native sanctuaries along the central coast by 2030: We are working to grow the native plant movement, achieving a minimum of 30% coverage of native plants in the places where we — as a community — live, work, and play. Through sharing our horticultural expertise, we aim to inspire and train advocates, cultivating a community committed to expanding the use of native plants everywhere. We are determined to contribute to the success of California’s 30x30 initiative and other comparable efforts to conserve and manage California’s lands to support biodiversity. Through the creation of essential resources, we’ll empower informed conservation action that fosters native plants. We’ll ensure no native plant in our region goes extinct, while actively facilitating restoration through research and tools that impact the 30% of California that is to be protected. We will create a legacy through advocacy for native plants, driving impactful change in policies and actions. By exemplifying a model that harmonizes people and the planet, we strive to make the Garden a sought-after hub of expertise. Our commitment extends to nurturing future leaders and influencing government plans, as we dedicate ourselves to cultivating and training a diverse community of conservation champions. So let’s dive in, starting with this issue of Ironwood. You’ll learn about DNA-based research and the importance of stuyding our Living Collection to the many hands involved in a landscape transformation at Elings Park and the removal of invasive species around Mission Canyon. We’ve been committed to the transformative power of native plants for nearly a century and, thanks to your support, we’ll continue this work well into the future. Whether it’s a seed in your backyard, a voice in the crowd, or a vote in the ballot box, small acts can have a huge impact on the planet we call home. Together, we’ll create a world where native plants thrive, and our children and grandchildren can revel in the wonders of a rich and diverse ecosystem. Let’s get growing!
Steve Windhager, Ph.D. Executive Director Ironwood 1
