Six Years at the Coronado Butterfly Preserve

Habitat Restoration Project Helps Monarchs Thrive in Santa Barbara County

Volume 19, Number 5 Winter 2011

By Jason Nelson, SBBG Gardener

The Coronado Butterfly Preserve (CBP) is a 9.3 acre open space located in the Ellwood neighborhood of western Goleta. Purchased in 1998 by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, the Preserve features one of the largest congregations of over-wintering Monarch butterflies on the west coast of North America. Roosting in a grove of eucalyptus trees in the Devereux Creek corridor at the southern end of the Preserve, the Monarchs arrive around Thanksgiving and stay until February, whereupon they embark on an annual multi-generational migration and return year after year.

From 2001-2003, I rented a house with some friends up the street from the Preserve. Riding my bike to UCSB, where I worked as a restoration ecologist, I noticed someone pulling weeds in the northern portion of the Preserve. That turned out to be Marcia Pepper, a Preserve neighbor and participant in the CBP Advisory Committee – a group of local residents who assist the Land Trust in the management of the Preserve.

At the time, the northern portion of the CBP was mostly covered in non-native vegetation, primarily wild radish (Raphanus sativa).

In 2002, I left the University and began working for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. I had recently obtained a landscape contractor’s license, and decided to call my business The Native Landscape. With the support of the neighbors and the Land Trust, I applied for and received a grant from the UCSB Coastal Fund in the fall of 2002. This grant paid for plant material and stipends for UCSB undergraduate interns, while Marcia and the Advisory Committee funded my labor costs. Since I was working full time at the Garden, I could only devote one day per week to the project, and decided to take on approximately 10-12,000 square feet per year. The work began each year in the fall with seed collection and the establishment of a nursery. The students worked with me during winter and spring quarters to transplant seedlings, eradicate the radish and other non-natives, plant nursery stock, and irrigate and maintain each section. We continued this model for the next

five years. By 2008, we eliminated all of the radish, while creating over 1.5 acres of native habitat including coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, and bunchgrass plant communities. In all, over 7,000 native plants representing forty species were planted, and at least thirty student interns and volunteers participated in this six-year effort.

―The Coronado Butterfly Preserve project is a wonderful example of how habitat restoration benefits not only native wildlife, but the community as well,‖ said Morgan Coffey, Development Director for The Land Trust of Santa Barbara County. ―This is one of the most successful habitat restoration projects that we have seen on any of our properties.‖ The plantings have been a boon to wildlife. A bird monitoring program was implemented and found a huge increase in the number and diversity of birds using the restored areas compared with an adjacent non-restored site. In addition, brush rabbits can frequently be seen darting in and out of the planted shrubs.

Continued on Page 9

Fall

2005

SpringSpring

20082008

2 Winter 2011

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tel 805-682-4726 - fax 805-563-0352

www.SantaBarbaraBotanicGarden.org

Garden Hours:

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Daily 9:00am - 6:00pm

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Daily 9:00am - 5:00pm

Garden Shop Hours: (Ext. 112)

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Daily 10:00am - 4:30pm

Garden Growers Nursery: (Ext. 127)

Open on a self-serve basis during

Garden Shop hours.

Staffed by volunteers 10:00am - 3:00pm daily

Class and Event Information: (Ext. 102)

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Volunteer Office: (Ext. 119)

Call for information on volunteer opportunities.

Master Gardener Helpline: (805) 893-3485

IRONWOOD

Volume 19, Number 5 - Winter 2011

ISSN 1068-4026

The Ironwood is published four times a year by the

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, a private nonprofit

institution founded in 1926. The Santa Barbara

Botanic Garden fosters the conservation of

California native plants through our gardens,

education, and research, and serves as a role

model of sustainable practices. The Garden is a

Member of the American Public Gardens

Association, the American Association of Museums,

and the California Association of Museums.

©2011 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden All rights reserved.

Board of Trustees

Chair Vice-Chair Secretary Treasurer

John M. Wiemann, Ph.D. Gary Robinson Carolyn Kincaid Henderson James O. Koopmans, CPA Sue Adams John Brinker Patrick Connelly Elizabeth Keate William Koonce, MD Stephen V. Masterson, CPA Charles J. Rennie, III, MD Gary U. Rollé Peter Schuyler Victor Schaff

TO OUR READERS

Each hard copy of the Ironwood costs the Garden $3.40 to print, and does not include the cost to the environment which is in conflict with our mission. Many of you have been willing to receive the Ironwood via email and we have been working towards this goal. We do not sell or share any of your information – ever.

Please support us in this effort by providing us with your email address by calling (805) 682-4726 ext. 110 or emailing lorsua@sbbg.org.

Director’s Message

As my first year at the Garden draws to a close, I have been encouraged by staff to reminisce about our accomplishments this year. The truth is, there have been many changes. All, I think, for the better.

Perhaps most important, the relationships between our inner family here at the Garden – our Trustees, staff, volunteers, and members – have improved. Staff and volunteer morale is positive, the volunteer moratorium ended, and our Trustees are engaged and energized. Our

relationship with the larger Santa Barbara Community has also greatly improved, through a number of community meetings, four ―Community Free Days,‖ and a proactive and positive working relationship with our neighbors and former critics. A group of staff, volunteers, and Trustees – with input from our membership and the larger community – developed a five year strategic plan for the Garden’s future, which explicitly focuses us on the conservation of California’s flora and acting as a role model for sustainability. This refocus on California natives led me to decide that our nursery will sell exclusively native plants. Despite this change, this year’s Fall Plant Sale was our highest-grossing ever!

We are working on a Cultural Landscape Plan which will help guide us in our stewardship of the historical and culturally significant features of the site. And we are well on our way toward rebuilding the Campbell Bridge with broad community support (though we can still use YOUR support, if you have not yet made a gift).

Personally, my wife, Pamme, and I are overwhelmed by the generous and welcoming nature of the people of the Santa Barbara region. My fellow non-profit leaders have helped me get my feet on the ground and learn about my new home. Our neighbors and new friends have invited us into their homes and lives, helping us adjust and become a part of this wonderful community.

While I am grateful for everything we have accomplished, I don’t feel we have the luxury for much reminiscing – there is still so much work to be done. Though we have made great strides, the Garden is still recovering from the Jesusita Fire. We have reached a point where we can stop reacting to the damage and begin actively planning for the future. We are just beginning to develop a full Landscape Master Plan, which will expand upon the Cultural Landscape Plan to chart a future for the use of the entire Garden property. It will identify existing gardens needing enhancement to achieve their historic design intent, and new garden exhibits we should plan to develop. Preparations for our upcoming capital campaign are already underway, and will include funding for a new building, funds for enhancing our gardens, and an increased endowment. We need to reach a wider audience with our classes to spread the message of native plants and sustainable landscape principles. We must also work with local nurseries to increase the native plant supply and simultaneously work to increase the demand for these plants among the general public. Further, our conservation work must continue unabated, preserving the rarest species against catastrophe, while learning more about them so they can be better managed in the wild.

I am enthusiastic about the future and the positive role the Garden will play in making the Central Coast an even better place to live. I look forward to working with all of you as we meet these challenges.

Sincerely,

Ironwood—Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 3

In honor of the Garden’s 85th Anniversary, long time members share stories

of their fondest memories over the years.

―I have wonderful memories of taking our toddlers to the Garden every Saturday morning and exploring every possible place which prepared them well for their afternoon naps. They were always full of questions about what they had seen or smelled or touched in this beautiful place. My children are now in their 50’s and we still enjoy visiting botanical gardens wherever we find them.‖

―Our family has enjoyed the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for over 40 years. Early on we came with our

small children who had a wonderful time playing in the creek below the rock crossing at the southern end of the canyon. They now come with our grandchildren. My parents, visiting from England, loved the Garden so much, they added Ceanothus and other California natives to their own garden when they returned home. The canyon has always been a special place with the redwood grove, the sound of running water, and a sense of quiet peace. May it last for another 85 years or more!‖

―The Garden is always an inspiration – painting there is like borrowing from another art form.‖

―My introduction to SBBG was in 1973, when my aunt-in-law, Elizabeth de Forest, brought me to the

Garden and introduced me to its beauty. I was permanently enchanted and stimulated. Eventually serving out Elizabeth’s term as a Board Trustee, I remained for two additional terms for a total of 11 years, as well as being the Board’s appointee to oversee the continuing care of Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, a happy task indeed for many years. I have of late, with the appointment of our excellent new director, Steve Windhager, found a new energy and enthusiasm for the Garden and a great hope for healing and joy for SBBG, its neighbors, and the community. Hurrah for our 85th year!‖

―Over the 25 years I’ve lived in Santa Barbara, I’ve consistently found the Garden to be a source of pleasure, inspiration, respite, and nourishment for the soul. I’ve walked all the trails in different configurations depending on my mood, both alone and with friends and relatives. I’m very pleased to see that you are embarking on a new path with respect to the Garden’s mission, the membership, and the community. Thank you; I look forward to many more moments of joy at the Garden.‖

Employee of the Year

On November 17th the Garden announced its Employee of the Year. Jill Freeland, the Executive Assistant to the Director, was unanimously voted into this honor with several nominations coming in for her. Jill also achieved her 5 year mark at this year’s celebration. She was nominated for her exemplary work in the transition through three administration changes in the past year. She worked for Dr. Edward Schneider for 4 years, and bade him farewell in summer of 2010. She then assisted Andrew Wyatt in the Interim Director position until our new Executive Director, Dr. Steve Windhager arrived. Her colleagues marveled at her ability to make the shift appear seamless from a logistics point of view. She was instrumental in facilitating the strategic plan process and has taken on an enormous amount of change and increased responsibility with a responsive, diplomatic and pleasant attitude that her co-workers can count on. We offer Jill sincere congratulations!

Margaret Connell - Member Since 1997

Sandra Thompson - Member Since 1990

Meredith Abbott - Member Since 1988

Marjorie Boyle - Member Since 1985

Sydney Baumgartner - Member Since 1977

Winter 2011 4

Recently Spotted

in the Garden

This ―Great Pumpkin‖ was grown by our Director of Horticulture Betsy Collins

Pritzlaff Award Symposium:

Conservation in the Time of Climate Change

Friday, March 9

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Mosher Alumni House, UCSB

Please plan to attend the 2012 Honorable John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Symposium and Award Ceremony at the Mosher Alumni House on the campus of UCSB. The theme for this year is Conservation in a Time of Climate Change, and the event will honor the John C. Pritzlaff

Conservation Award winner, Dr. Daniel Botkin. Dr. Botkin is a scientist who studies life from a planetary perspective, a biologist who has helped solve major environmental issues, and a writer about nature. He is the President of the Center for the Study of the Environment and Professor Emeritus, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology at UCSB. He has written several popular books including No Man’s Garden: Thoreau and a New Vision for Civilization and Nature, Discordant Harmonies: A New Ecology for the 21st Century, and Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet.

Dr. Carla D’Antonio, Professor and Schuyler Chair of Environmental Studies at UCSB will follow Dr. Botkin and share her impressions and thoughts about the unique problems facing California conservation given climatic instability. Dr. Ray Sauvajot, the Natural Resource Program Chief for the U.S. Park Service, will provide an overview of how the National Park Service is handling conservation on the ground in light of climate change. Lastly, SBBG Executive Director, Dr. Steve Windhager, will moderate a panel discussion with the speakers.

Please plan to make reservations early, as seating is limited, at www.sbbg.org under ―classes‖ or by calling 682-4726 x 102.

Fee: $5 UCSB Students $10 members & non-members

The Campbell Bridge was made possible through a generous gift from Ina Therese Campbell in 1941. Ms. Campbell wanted everyone to explore the Garden, even those who could not make the creek crossing over boulders. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of visitors have crossed the bridge to experience and enjoy the serenity of the riparian corridor along Mission Creek. Originally designed by Lockwood de Forest III, the Campbell Bridge represents the rustic character that has made the Garden famous, leading the County of Santa Barbara to designate the bridge as a historic landmark.

On May 6th, 2009, flames from the Jesusita Fire swept through Mission Canyon and burned the bridge to the ground. In the past two and a half years, the plants have grown back and now it is time to rebuild the bridge. Estimates put the cost of rebuilding the Campbell Bridge at $80,000. While about 10% of that goal will come from insurance proceeds, our insurance settlement did not cover the full cost of repairing the damage. We need help from all who love the Garden to rebuild the Campbell Bridge and all that it represents. We are asking for gifts of any size from many people so we can have this bridge in place by December 31, 2012.

The architectural plans for the new Campbell Bridge are in hand. This effort, however, is about more than building a physical bridge. The metaphorical bridges – the connections between the Garden and the many individuals and groups that love the Garden – are also in need of repair. We hope the new Campbell Bridge will stand as a symbol to the larger Santa Barbara community and that the controversy which surrounded the Garden in recent years can now be "water under the bridge."

Our goal to raise $80,000 is only part of the story. We also wish to raise the number of those who donate. You can help by spreading the word. We are confident we can raise the money and rebuild the bridge, but more importantly, we wish to rebuild the support we need to be a vibrant part of the community for another 85 years.

Hon. John C. PritzlaffHon. John C. Pritzlaff

Leaves of Learning

Calendar of classes, events and volunteer opportunities at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden To register for classes, visit www.sbbg.org under ―classes," call 682-4726 x 102 or email registrations@sbbg.org.

Ironwood—Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 5

Fungi of the Forests with Dr. Bob Cummings Lecture: Friday, January 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pm Field Trip: Saturday, January 14, 9:00am – Noon

(if conditions are suitable)

Chanterelles, morels, and deadly amanitas are only a few of the mysterious local mushrooms you will meet in this evening lecture and morning foray into Los Padres National Forest. Bring examples of fungi for discussion at the lecture. (Field Trip only if rains yield a mushroom crop.)

Fee: Lecture: $20 members / $35 non-members Field Trip: $10 members / $15 non-members

JANUARY

Natural History of Coronado Butterfly Preserve

Saturday, January 28, 9:00am - 11:30am

Join wildlife biologist Fred Emerson for an excursion to study wintering monarch butterflies, eucalyptus trees and

other features of the Ellwood Grove environs. Fred will draw on the studies and insights of famed 18th century English naturalist, Gilbert White. His extraordinary book, The Natural History of Selborne has been in continuous publication since 1788. Fred’s very popular classes are limited to 20 participants so make your reservations early. Fee: $25 members / $35 non-members

Plant Propagation: Cuttings Thursday, January 19, 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Learn the techniques for producing plants using cuttings from SBBG Plant Propagator, Heather Wehnau. Discussion will focus on a range of California native flora, types of cutting, timing, preparation, and transplanting.

Fee: $35 members / $50 non-members

The Amazing Geology of Santa Barbara County: Haskell’s Beach Saturday, January 21, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Explore the geology around Haskell’s Beach including the More Ranch Fault, the strange history of Bird Island, and the ―bubbleology‖ of the Ellwood Gas Field. Susie Bartz will point out many of the fascinating geologic formations and share the ancient stories revealed in the exposed layers of sediment. Bring water, hat, sturdy shoes, and curiosity.

Fee: $20 members / $35 non-members

Gardening Under the Oaks Sunday, January 29, 1:00pm - 4:30pm

How do you create something beautiful to look at under a full canopy of oaks? What takes the least maintenance? What will give you color? Arborist and nursery manager, Bruce Reed will answer these questions and more while giving a basic understanding of how to care for the oaks themselves.

Fee: $30 members / $45 non-members

Time Travelers:

Private Domecar Botanical Day Trip

Saturday, March 24, 10:00am – 5:00pm

All aboard! Join SBBG’s Steve Junak for a rare glimpse of some of the last original native coastal landscapes i n S o u t h e r n California – all from the picture windows

of a train. The trip begins at the Santa Barbara train depot where you will ride in style aboard a beautifully restored Vista Dome Lounge-Dining Car (built in 1956) for a narrated, scenic adventure through Gaviota, Hollister Ranch, and Vandenberg Air Force Base. Learn about the rich human and natural history of the central coast landscape. The train passes through several historic ranchos (which cannot be seen from Highway 101) before stopping in San Luis Obispo. A catered buffet lunch will be served onboard (including beer, wine, and soft drinks), and we will change levels and sides for a new and different view on the way back home.

Reservations are limited and must be made before February 20. Over 21 only. Trip will go rain or shine.

Fee: Members: $125 / non-members $145

Join our dynamic SBBG Book Discussion Group! We meet on the third Monday of every month from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. The group is

free and open to both members and non-members. We will discuss non-fiction books on environmental topics. To reserve a spot or get more information, contact Betsy Green at bjgreen07@gmail.com.

6 Winter 2011

MARCH

FEBRUARY

Create a Personal Nature Journal 4 Fridays, February 3, 10, 17, & 24 11:00am – 1:00pm

Nature journals are wonderful places in which to create freely, without hesitation, doubt, or fear. In them, you can experiment and just have fun. They are a place where science and art meet and mix in whatever form seems best to you. Nature journaling is a way of deepening your experience of nature. It is also a way to capture and record details, special moments, textures, and sounds. In this class, JoAnn McGeever Metzger will demonstrate some basic techniques, and then discuss a variety of special effects. Beginners and advanced students are welcome. Bring your enthusiasm, a blank journal of your choice, and favorite pen or pencil. All other materials for the first class will be provided.

Fee: $60 members / $75 non-members

Natural History of Cachuma Lake Cruise with Park Naturalist Liz Gaspar Thursday, February 9, 10:00am – 2:00pm

Join your SBBG friends and staff aboard the Osprey, a 30-passenger pontoon boat for easy wildlife viewing as you explore the lake and witness the many

thriving habitats for a great variety of wildlife, birds, fish, trees and plants. Set amidst acres of wilderness flanked by the picturesque Santa Ynez and San Rafael Mountains, Cachuma Lake is a beautiful hidden gem and a vital source of drinking water for Santa Barbara. The winter season brings out the resident and migratory bald eagles and waterfowl. Learn about the rich cultural history of the area at the Neal Taylor Nature Center, followed by a two-hour boat cruise. Dress warmly and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy by the lake. Reservations must be made by January 26.

Fee: $30 members / $45 non-members

Southern California’s Countless Conifers 2 Thursdays, February 16 & 23, 4:00pm – 6:00pm Field Trip: TBD

Join Bob Haller and Nancy Vivrette to learn about the conifer ―hot spots‖ in Southern California, including the mountains behind Santa Barbara. Learn why so many species have found a home here, and what the future holds for these ―survivors‖ in view of fire history and climate changes. Fascinating examples of many species using living and herbarium materials will be used to demonstrate some tricky short cuts for identifying them. Local Field Trip immediately follows.

Fee: Classes and Trip: $75 members / $100 non-members Field Trip only: $25 members / $ 35 non-members

Garden Family Nature Adventures: Discover and Play Saturday, February 18, 10:00am - Noon

Bring the family for a morning of fun and adventure with the Education Department as we learn about the birds, bugs, and butterflies that make the Garden their home in the spring. We’ll take a hike through the Discovery Garden, share stories, and create wild creatures with reused and recycled materials. For children under 12 and their parents or caregivers.

Limit 2 children per adult.

Fee: $10 members / $15 non-members (children are free)

Special Lecture: The Fascinating Ecosystem of Wetlands with Dr. Larry Friesen Friday, March 2, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Join us for this lively look at the amazing, and often overlooked, wetland habitats. Not only are they a vital home for birds, but the ecosystem in general is teeming with life histories of protozoa/protophyta, insects, crustacea, and amphibians. Dr. Friesen is a Professor of Biology at SBCC and is widely known for his beautiful wildlife photography.

Fee: $20 members / $35 non-members

The Amazing Geology of Santa Barbara County: Loon Point Saturday, March 3, 10:00am - Noon

Get acquainted with the geology of the Santa Barbara Fold Belt by viewing its most spectacular expression: the Loon Point Recumbent Anticline. Join Susie Bartz to explore beach boulders, and learn about the submerged island, mysterious Calafia, and other features that are part of our dynamic landscape. Exit Hwy 101 at Padaro Lane. Follow the road toward the ocean, curving left. Parking lot is on the left. Meet at western end of parking lot near railroad.

Bring water, hat, sturdy shoes, and curiosity.

Fee: $20 members / $35 non-members

Pritzlaff Award Symposium:

Conservation in the Time of Climate Change

Friday, March 9, 1:00pm – 4:00pm Mosher Alumni House, UCSB

Please plan to attend the 2012 Pritzlaff Conservation Symposium and Award Ceremony. The theme for this year is Conservation in a Time of Climate Change, and the event will honor Dr. Daniel Botkin, 2011 winner of the annual John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Award. Featured speakers include:

Dr. Daniel Botkin, President of the Center for the Study of the Environment and Professor Emeritus, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, UCSB

Dr. Carla D’Antonio, Professor and Schuyler Chair of Environmental Studies, UCSB

Dr. Ray Sauvajot, Natural Resource Program Chief, U.S. Park Service

Following the three presentations, Dr. Steve Windhager will moderate a panel discussion with the speakers.

Please plan to make reservations early, as seating is limited, at www.sbbg.org under ―classes‖ or by calling 682-4726 x 102.

Fee: $5 UCSB Students $10 members & non-members

Ironwood—Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 7

BUILDING BRIDGES

9th Annual Orchid Show Reception & Auction

Saturday, March 17th, 2012 6:30 - 9:30pm

Earl Warren Showgrounds

Tickets $75 per person Call (805) 682-4726 ext. 102 to reserve today

Each year the Garden’s signature event is set amidst spectacular displays of orchids at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in conjunction with the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show.

Join us this year as we celebrate the effort to raise $80,000 to rebuild the Campbell Bridge. When we lost the Campbell Bridge in the Jesusita Fire, we lost a beloved and historic structure linking our past to our present, and we lost a circulation route linking one side of the Garden to the other. We intend to rebuild this bridge by December 2012. Whether or not you attend the event, you can help support the effort and watch our progress towards this goal. To contribute, visit crowdrise.com/campbellbridge

Wild for Watercolors! 6 Fridays, March 9 – April 13, 11:00am – 2:00pm

Capture the structure and beauty of native wildflowers in vibrant watercolors! JoAnn McGeever Metzger teaches different techniques to add texture and depth to paintings. Learn how to mix colors to capture each plant’s unique character.

Beginning and advanced students are welcome; materials for the first class are provided.

Fee: $75 members / $100 non-members

Anacapa Island: Celebrate the Spring Wildflowers Thursday, March 15, 9:30am – 4:00pm

Each spring the Anacapa Island flora blooms in a rainbow of colors, ranging from the bright red of Indian paintbrush to the vibrant yellow of giant coreopsis. Join SBBG Botanist and Island expert Steve Junak for this memorable land and sea adventure with dolphins, whales, sea lions, and a variety of shore birds often observed during the channel crossing from Ventura.

Note: Participants must be in good physical condition—able to climb 150 steep stairs to the island plateau. Bring lunch, water, and hiking shoes. Participants will be given meeting instructions with reservations.

Fee: $85 members / $100 non-members

Meet the Spring Plant Families! 2 Fridays, March 16 & 23, 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Join Mary Carroll for her popular seasonal series of plant identification classes focusing on the native plants and flowers of spring. Bring a 10x hand lens if you have one.

Join the Garden Growers Training class meeting on Wednesdays from 3:00pm - 5:00pm, February 8 through April 11, 2012. In this 10-week training, learn the basics for running the Garden Growers Nursery. Propagation and planting techniques, merchandising, caring for customers, and information on our many amazing plants will all be covered. Come and join the Garden Growers!

8 Winter 2011

Ask The Expert

Q Can you give me some fall/winter planting

tips to help my native garden thrive?

A Absolutely! Here are

some things you can do to help your garden on its way.

Do Your Homework Pay attention to care requirements for the plants you bring home including size, sun exposure, soil preferences, and water needs. Try to group plants based on these requirements and give them enough space to grow and thrive over time, without crowding.

Start With the Soil Depending on your soil type, condition, and root competition; your soil might need a little work before you plant. Loosen compacted soil by turning with a shovel. For heavier soils, consider amending with compost or decomposed fir bark. Make sure soil amendments are mixed thoroughly with at least 50% or more of native soil. Creating slight to medium mounds to plant into can also help improve drainage. If you have an active gopher population, planting into wire baskets can give particularly delicious young plants a fighting chance.

Don’t Forget to Water Under and overwatering are the most common issues with new plantings. Even drought tolerant water-sipping plants need regular water until they get established or winter rains arrive. Continue to check, and provide supplemental water as needed, or between rain events. Overwatering can be even worse than under watering. If you aren’t sure, check the soil in the root zone before watering.

To Feed or not to Feed Plants take some time to adapt to their new home in your garden. Adding fertilizer stronger than compost during this critical time can shock delicate roots. Many natives don’t need regular feeding. However, semi-regular feeding with a micro-nutrient charged organic fertilizer, compost tea, or a handful of worm castings sprinkled around the root zone and watered-in can work wonders, and encourage healthy soils.

Dress them up Applying a 3-6 inch layer of mulch around your new plantings can be very beneficial. Organic mulch, such as wood chips or shredded bark, helps keep moisture in the soil, prevents weeds from germinating, and promotes soil life at the root zone by providing a slow source of nutrition as mulch is broken down. Remember to keep mulch away from the trunk or base of the plant to prevent rot and be sure that water penetrates the mulch layer into the root zone.

Using these handy tips will help you on your way to a garden full of happy plants this spring.

Have a Gardening Question?

Ask a Master Gardener of Santa Barbara County:

The MG helpline has relocated to Goleta, and has a new phone number: (805) 893-3485. They frequently check messages and will get back to you with answers and UCCE resources for all your home gardening dilemmas. You can also send them an email or photo for even more information: mgsantab@ucdavis.edu.

To sign-up for the spring training class, please visit their website at: http://cesantabarbara.ucdavis.edu/Master_Gardener/.

Plant Hunters: In Search of the Wildest Spring Wildflowers 3 Mondays: March 26, April 9 & 23

9:00am – 4:00pm

Join us for three Garden forays to see the best displays within a day’s drive of Santa Barbara. We will choose the finest areas in terms of species diversity and sheer beauty for these adventures. Location will be announced two weeks before each trip for an added element of surprise! Bring a sack lunch and full tank of gas.

Fee: $30 members / $45 non-members per trip OR $80 members / $125 non-members for 3-trip series

Heather Wehnau, Plant Propagator

Spring Morning Bird Walk Wednesday, March 21, 8:30am – 10:00am

Be the first morning visitors in the Garden and enjoy watching the diverse and beautiful bird species that make the meadow, woodlands, and creekside their home! Join our experienced naturalist leader, Rebecca Coulter, as she looks and listens for woodpeckers and quail, wrens and raptors, and many more.

Fee: $5 members / $10 non-members

Under Desert Skies: The Wonders of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Thursday, March 29 through Sunday, April 1

Located within the Colorado Desert southwest of Palm Springs, the park includes 1/5 of San Diego County and is the largest state park in California. Join SBBG Docent and naturalist Cathy Rose and SBBG botanist Dr. Dieter Wilken for 3 nights and 4 days exploring many unique features, including a fan palm oasis, two narrow canyons that emerge to a spectacular view, and a famous visitor’s center built underneath a garden which contains samples of Elephant Trees and other wonderful desert species. We’ll be looking for desert birds on the grounds of the hotel and along the trails. The group will be staying at Hacienda del Sol in 10 duplexes with small kitchens for pot lucks and a heated pool. Price includes 3 nights in a private duplex with a king bed, living room, and private patio and kitchen. Food and transportation not included. Reservations may be for up to three people per room, and must be made by March 15th.

Fee: $550 members / $650 non-members

Ironwood—Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 9

Coronado Butterfly Preserve:

Continued From Page 1

The Monarchs have greatly benefitted from these plantings as well. They often seek nectar at the restoration site—they really like California sunflower (Encelia californica), and their larvae make use of planted narrow-leaved milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis). Monarch butterflies cannot survive a long, cold winter. Instead, they migrate to warmer climates (including coastal California) and spend the winter in roosting spots. The Monarchs can travel up to 3,000 miles and are the only butterfly to take this long, round-trip journey each year. Amazingly, they fly en masse to the same winter roosts in trees such as Monterey pines and Monterey cypress. The grove at the Preserve contains shady, cool areas protected from winds, with nearby water to drink, making it the perfect environment to support the visiting Monarchs.

As winter ends and the days grow longer, the Monarchs become more active, resuming their migration to lay eggs and continue the cycle. Protecting the important Monarch habitat found at the Preserve is critical to the survival of these beautiful and fascinating creatures. Go see for yourself!

Interes ted in Volunteer ing?

New Volunteer Orientations Every Other Thursday 2:00pm In the Blaksley Library

January 5 January 19 February 2 February 16 March 1 March 15 March 29

Learn about the various volunteer opportunities available, take a behind-the-scenes tour, and meet some of the staff who train and manage volunteers.

Please call Cherie Welsh, HR & Volunteer Manager at 805 682-4726 ext. 119 or cwelsh@sbbg.org

Find The Monarchs

When to Go:

The Coronado Butterfly Preserve is open to the public every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. No reservations or admission fees are required. Monarch butterflies typically migrate to the preserve from November through February, with peak numbers in December and January. Most easily seen in the middle of the day they hang from branches in clusters when the weather is cool, then flutter around when warmed by the sun.

The Garden will be visiting the Preserve on January 28. See page 5 for more information.

Directions:

From Highway 101, exit Storke Rd./Glen Annie and head south (away from mountains). Turn right on Hollister Avenue, drive about 1.2 miles and take a left on Coronado Drive. Entrance to the Preserve is at the end of Coronado Drive.

The Coronado Butterfly Preserve is funded by visitor donations. A donation box is located at the entrance, and your contribution will be greatly appreciated.

Monarch Butterflies Monarch Butterflies ((Danaus plexippusDanaus plexippus)) in the in the

Coronado Butterfly PreserveCoronado Butterfly Preserve

SBBG Image Archive photoSBBG Image Archive photo

California’s Iconic Trees: Nature’s Gift

By Bob Muller

SBBG’s Director of Research

California’s great diversity of plants (over 5,000 native species) does not extend to trees. Only 70 species can justifiably be called trees. Despite this, forests cover 33% of the state encompassing approximately 33 million acres. California’s forests include an array of habitats ranging from dry semi-desert to riparian and temperate rainforest ecosystems. Trees provide much more than just another species count. They are frequently the keystone species of their ecosystem providing structural diversity to their habitats, energy for consumers, and a reservoir of nutrients for both plants and animals.

Three iconic species reflect not only the diversity of California’s forests, but much of its evolutionary history. These are: coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens); giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron gigantea); and bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva).

Coast redwood, made famous in song (Woodie Guthrie), poetry (Walt Whitman), and environmental activism (Julia Butterfly Hill, tree-sitter), is as emblematic of our state as the California poppy. These trees, the tallest in the world, are often named after Greek mythological figures, with ―Hyperion‖ at over 379 feet being the tallest. Many coast redwoods exceed 350 feet thereby stretching the limitations of plants to raise water from the ground to the foliage. Only recently explored, the canopy of these dense forests is now recognized to harbor entirely new ecosystems with species never before described. Restricted to a narrow belt along the northern and central California coast, the coast redwood is almost synonymous with fog, reflecting its requirement for continuous sources of moisture in a region known for its dry Mediterranean climate.

Giant sequoia is known as the largest living organism in the world. The ―General Sherman‖ tree contains 52,500 board feet of wood — enough to build over 1,000 homes. Today giant sequoias are found in 75 groves on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Also a moisture-loving species, these massive trees are found at elevations with abundant winter snow and summer rain. They are further restricted locally to drainages and low spots which remain perennially moist. Without natural predators and resistant to fire, giant sequoias are threatened only by direct lightening strikes and wind. Thus, their great size is attributable to their rapid growth rates and old age. Recently, a pair of behemoths (250 feet tall and over 1,500 years old) fell across The Trail of 100 Giants in Sequoia National Forest.

Both coast redwood and giant sequoia are long-lived – ages of 1,000 and 3,000 years are not uncommon for these two. However, neither is as old as the bristlecone pine. Found high in the White Mountains on the California/Nevada border, bristlecone pine lives in a

bleak environment with few competitors. Known as the oldest non-clonal organism in the world, the ―Methusela‖ tree has been aged at 4,842 years old. Tragically, an older tree, dated at approximated 4,900 years old, was cut down in 1964. Because annual growth rings provide clues to yearly climatic conditions, the living trees and long-preserved remnants lying on the ground have enabled scientists to create an accurate climate history dating back 11,000 years. This chronological sequence has facilitated calibration of the carbon-14 dating technique.

Living today in vastly different geographic areas and ecological conditions, these three species share a common thread — their present day occurrences are merely relics of once broad distributions throughout the American west. Emerging some 65 million or more years ago, these conifers, along with several other species, formed wide-spread temperate forests in the relatively moist environment of western North America. Long-term climatic changes (cooling and subsequent rewarming and drying of the North American continent) forced southerly migrations followed by increasing restriction to relictual stands in regions with more abundant moisture and reduced competition.

Today, the coast redwood, giant sequoia, and bristlecone pine stand as reminders of a continual process of evolution and adaptation to changing environments.

10 Winter 2011

Giant sequoia (Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteaSequoiadendron gigantea) ) -- the largest tree in the world.the largest tree in the world.

Photo by Dieter Wilken, Ph.D.Photo by Dieter Wilken, Ph.D.

Ironwood—Publication of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 11

Need A Last Minute Gift for the

Wildflower Enthusiast on your List?

The Education Department has the answer! This wonderful Wildflower Gift Basket is sure to please friends and family and also helps to support the educational programs at the Garden. Wrapped in colorful holiday paper, the basket includes:

Individual Garden Membership: $50 value OR Dual/ Family Membership: $75 value

2 Free tickets to the Spring Wildflower Plant Hunters Field Trip Series for March 26, April 9 & 23, 2012: $240 value

Private Docent-Led Wildflower Meadow tour for 8: $80 value

Bag of California Native Wildflower Mix: $16 value

Local Wildflowers of Santa Barbara County field guide: $9 value

SBBG Wildflower Coffee Mug: $11 value

SBBG Baseball Cap: $17 value

This basket is valued at over $400 and is available in December for only:

$150 for an Individual Membership Basket or $200 for a Family Membership Basket!

To order, send a request to Judy Sanregret at jsanregret@sbbg.org or call 682-4726 x 111.

Your basket will be available for pick-up any day before December 31st. Enjoy!

Winter Garden Shop Specials

December 2011 and January 2012 Members receive a 20% discount on selected fused glass items. Perfect for Holiday giving. Hurry, supplies are limited!

December 2011 through March 2012

Up to 40% off on selected books from our extensive collection, including lots of fine books on orchids and other exotic plants and topics

Seed Propagation of Native California Plants

by Dara Emery

This wonderful resource is widely considered the best and most comprehensive reference for both home gardeners and professionals who want to propagate native California plants from seed. Also included are helpful sections on seed collection and storage, seed dormancy and treatments, and a table with specific treatments for hundreds of native plants. This book is available for sale in the Garden Shop and from the online store on the Garden’s website.

Gift of Membership

Memberships make great gifts all year long. Give to a loved one, a friend or a client! Includes membership cards, gift box and gift bag.

Call Leana Orsua at (805) 682-4726 ext. 110 for more information or e-mail lorsua@sbbg.org.

Mary Ann ―Sally‖ Boardman

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sally Boardman of Santa Barbara, CA on January 23, 2011 at the age of 93. Born January 23, 1918 in Los Angeles, CA, Sally was a WWII veteran. She received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps Service Ribbon, and the American Campaign Medal for serving in the Pacific Ocean Theatre in WWII. She lived in Van Nuys, CA in the mid-1970's where she worked for the City of Los Angeles Engineering Department. After retiring in 1988, she moved to Santa Barbara where she was active as a docent for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Sally particularly enjoyed taking bird-watching classes. We pay tribute to Sally in this publication with heartfelt gratitude for remembering the Garden in her estate.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden 1212 Mission Canyon Road Santa Barbara, CA 93105-2126 (805) 682-4726 www.SantaBarbaraBotanicGarden.org

Nonprofit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid Santa Barbara, CA

Permit No. 451

Address Service Requested

Winter 2011 12

Thank you to everyone who has made a gift to the Garden this year. Whether your gift was in celebration of our 85th year, in memory of Avis Keedy, or to rebuild the Campbell Bridge, your gifts have helped support the Garden’s projects and programs in education, research and conservation, and have enabled us to continue improving the Garden’s plant displays. By now you may have received a letter in the mail from our Executive Director, Steve Windhager, sharing with you the progress made this year in rebuilding community relationships and in laying out his vision for the future – one that respects our historical and cultural past. The response has been encouraging, with new and returning volunteers serving on our many committees and Board. We hope you will consider a gift to the Garden and its bright future. Gifts of any size are most appreciated. Your gift to the Year-End Appeal will ensure that the Garden will continue to foster the conservation of California’s native plants through our gardens, research, and education, and will serve as a role model for sustainable practices.

Please send your fully tax-deductible donation to:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (SBBG)

1212 Mission Canyon Road

Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Attention: Development Department

Thank you again for your generous support.

Year End Appeal