San Diego Botanic Garden

Visitor experience - San Diego Botanic Garden (sdbg) spans 37-acres overlooking the pacific ocean and serves as a peaceful urban oasis in the heart of encinitas, California. During fiscal year 2023 over 265,000 visitors enjoyed the Garden's 4 miles of trails and 29 uniquely-themed Gardens and plant collections which provide an immersive educational experience of various plant families, flowers, and trees from all over the world. Gardens range from the largest bamboo collection in north america to the award-winning hamilton children's Garden. Sdbg was named one of the" top 10 Botanic Gardens" by usa today and one of the "top 10 north american Gardens worth traveling for" by the canadian Garden council and american public Garden association. Sdbg maintains over 5,200 different plant species in its living collections, including hundreds of species not represented at other Botanic Gardens. The dickinson family education conservatory houses botanic-themed events and exhibits.the seeds of wonder and hamilton children's Gardens invite young children and their families to safely play outdoors and explore nature. Over 200 volunteers serve to enhance the programming in areas such as education, public tours, visitor services, horticulture and Garden maintenance. Sdbg seeks to inspire an understanding and love of nature through adult enrichment classes focusing on horticulture, water conservation, fire-safe landscaping, soil maintenance, hydroponic gardening, wellness and the arts. Sdbg offers discounts on admission and memberships to active duty military families, seniors, students, and through participation in the museums for all program. Partnerships with community members, schools and other organizations serve diverse populations through free outreach programs and discounted admission. Sdbg has an active idea (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility) council that ensures we meet the needs of all.

Science & conservation - sdbg's science & conservation programs work to conserve threatened plants and habitats, including San Diego's native flora as well as rare plants from around the world. The programs conduct and communicate science & conservation to enhance the persistence of and access to plant diversity within and beyond the Garden. The programs also serve to address the most pressing challenges - from biodiversity loss to climate change to food insecurity due to environmental degradation. The work of the programming continues in ever more ambitious and urgent forms. The department collaborates with community, nonprofit, academic, government and industry partners to maximize a combined impact. Major activities include conservation horticulture, seed banking, rare plant and habitat surveying, monitoring and collecting, characterizing, evaluating and distributing useful plants, environmental restoration, conservation planning and science outreach and education.

Lightscape is an illuminated walking trail through the San Diego Botanical Garden featuring a holiday experience that combines art, nature, and technology through a one-mile walking trail with international artistic installations and returning favorites, all coming to life after dark with color, imagination, and sound. The lightscape welcomed more than 119,000 visitors during the fiscal year.

Education & public programming - each year, sdbg enriches the lives of thousands of children and adults by fostering conservation and environmental responsibility, educating about plants and nature and tapping into plant wisdom through programs and activities.