Conserving Local Ecosystems
San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) creates, shares and applies plant wisdom with people of all backgrounds, ages and interests. SDBG has grown its botanical research, plant conservation, and land management programs well beyond the 37 acres of the Garden’s grounds. These projects range from nearby Cottonwood Creek and Ocean Knoll Canyon in Encinitas to the Otay Mountain Wilderness, just north of the US-Mexico Border. By expanding its role to address the planet’s most pressing issues, SDBG is quickly becoming a model 21st century public plant science institution.
Cottonwood Creek
SDBG, in collaboration with the City of Encinitas, is restoring 15 acres of native habitat on City open space adjacent to Cottonwood Creek. Since 2020, SDBG staff, volunteers and partnering community organizations have removed invasive species, replacing them with native plants grown at the Botanic Garden. The project improves endangered bird habitat, adds seasonal beauty with flowering natives, and enhances the public’s safety.
Ocean Knoll Canyon
SDBG partnered with the Encinitas Union School District, California State Coastal Conservancy, and community groups to lead restoration of Ocean Knoll Canyon, an important section of the Cottonwood Creek Watershed. The canyon serves as a refuge for native plants and animals – several of which are endangered – while providing educational and recreational space for students and neighbors. In 2022, over 100 cubic yards of invasive plants have already been removed. Native San Diegan plants will be planted to increase carbon sequestration, reduce concentrations of pollutants in the watershed, and increase resilience to climate change. This restoration will improve the canyon’s ecosystem by providing a haven for threatened native plants and animals, such as the Del Mar Manzanita and the coastal California gnatcatcher.
Otay Mountain Wilderness
On federal lands surrounding Otay Mountain Wilderness, the Garden’s team surveys, collects, conserves and propagates a fascinating set of rare plants that grow only in the US-Mexico borderlands, including the Cedros Island Oak. There are only a few hundred individuals of this amazing oak in the entire United States, making this species among the rarest of any US oak. The Garden possesses unique expertise and facilities, enabling the conservation of these most rare Californian plants.
As the Garden grows these impactful science and conservation programs, community support is vital to continued success. By visiting the Garden, becoming a member, or attending the annual fundraising event, The Garden Party on September 10th, you can support these important conservation efforts.
You can help conserve our plants and the animals that depend on them now and for future generations. For more information and tickets please visit www.sdbg.org.
