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Director’s Message
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Across the globe, we are feeling the effects of climate change. Catastrophic flooding from New York to Germany, record-breaking snowfall in Madrid (and Texas), dust storms in China, and California’s raging wildfires are just a few of these examples. This past August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued what it referred to as “code red for humanity” suggesting only transformational change will avert disaster. In another report, in partnership with the UN’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), they insisted that addressing climate change in ways that adversely affect biodiversity would only result in more problems later. Too often, scientists have attempted to address one crisis without considering the other. For example, large solar arrays in the desert produce clean energy, but they also cause massive destruction of fragile desert ecosystems. This is a trade-off we can no longer afford. Biodiversity and the climate crisis are intertwined, and they must be addressed simultaneously.
Headlines and news stories like these provide a grim forecast, but there is still reason to remain hopeful, and perhaps even optimistic.
The reason for optimism is that there are, in fact, attainable solutions available to us. We don't have to trade short-sighted single solutions for the extinction of species. We can reduce and capture carbon and slash our water use while also supporting the habitats that allow life to thrive. Working with native plants, we can heal and repair past damage and support the entire web of life – while also mitigating the impacts of climate change and ensuring that life has the opportunity to adapt to changing conditions. The Garden is increasingly working to keep biodiversity a part of the local and global climate crisis conversation. This subtle yet vital shift enables us to turn seemingly small actions into big impacts. For instance, planting any (Photo/Andrea Russell Photography) tree provides carbon sequestration and shade which can reduce energy use and mitigate the heat island effect, but when we plant a native tree, we also create habitat for hundreds of other species - building biodiversity resiliency. Similarly, with energy consumption by public drinking water and wastewater utilities representing 30% to 50% of a municipality’s energy bill, saving water is key for preserving this precious resource and reducing our energy consumption.
By choosing drought-tolerant native plants, you use less water, add habitat for a wide range of species, and reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. There are many solutions like this we can all put into action.
Our retail nursery has the largest selection of native plants in the region, and there is no better time than fall to plant beautiful California plants. Our experienced staff can help answer your questions, from selecting the right plants to tips and tricks to care for them all year long. The next time you’re at The Garden, check out the Blue Grama lawn in the Water Wise Home Garden or at the Pritzlaff Conservation Center for some great inspiration. Replacing a traditional lawn (even a portion of it) has many benefits beyond environmental health – it can save you time and money that you’d otherwise put into care and upkeep. So, this fall, I invite you to add native plants to your home landscape (or windowsill.) This action can drive lasting change that supports not only ourselves but all life on earth. Thank you for joining in our efforts to protect biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Together, we’re restoring the health of the planet, one seed at a time. Keep growing,
Steve Windhager, Ph.D. Executive Director
