Cultivating Biodiversity: Native Plant Propagation to Support Regional Food Systems
WITH GUEST FACILITATOR ALEJANDRO LEMUS OF
SANTA BARBARA BOTANIC GARDEN
Biodiversity is key to a thriving food system. Join us to discover how native plants can play a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem and enhancing crop resilience. Learn the principles and skills needed to propagate native plants on your own landscape and integrate them into your agricultural systems for increased resilience and ecological health.
When: 9am - 4pm on Saturday, November 4, 2023
Location: Jalama Canyon Ranch
Cost: Sliding Scale $175 - $300
* Delicious Lunch is included! Instruction will be in classroom and outdoors.
Get Hands-on! You'll participate in a variety of seed preparations, harvest cuttings and prepare them for propagation, and make root divisions. Through our in-field practicum, you'll learn how to support these newly propagated plants through soil mixes, care, and repotting.
Come away with:
An understanding of the benefits of native plants in cropping systems
Hands-on experience in propagation techniques including seed preparations, cuttings, and root division
Resources for procuring tools, supplies, and plants
Design strategies for native plant integration
Registration is now closed as the course has been filled.
The goal of our “All-Hands-On” Program is to support land STEWARDS, managers, and landscape designers to implement regenerative principles and practices while helping to achieve regional climate goals.
We are pleased to be offering this course in partnership with:
As the first botanic garden in the nation to focus exclusively on native plants, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has dedicated nearly a century of work to better understand the relationship between plants and people. Growing from 13 acres in 1926 to today’s 78 acres, the grounds now include more than 5 miles of walking trails, an herbarium, a seed bank, research labs, a library, and a public native plant nursery. Amid the serene beauty of the Garden, teams of scientists, educators, and horticulturists remain committed to the original spirit of the organization’s founders – conserve California native plants and habitats to ensure they continue to support life on the planet and can be enjoyed for generations to come.
About the Facilitator: Alejandro Lemus, Horticultural Educator at SB Botanic Garden
As the Garden’s horticultural educator, Alejandro develops and implements horticultural education programs for residential gardeners and professional landscapers. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he has fond memories of helping his family with their landscaping business. Gardening has instilled Alejandro’s appreciation and curiosity for the natural world, whether pulling weeds or stumbling upon new insect friends.
Alejandro graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a focus in ecology and evolutionary biology. He has worked for land trusts, nature centers, and native plant nurseries, advocating California native plants. Alejandro comes to the Garden with experience in habitat restoration, landscaping, native plant nursery management, propagation, and education.
QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT PROGRAMS@WHITEBUFFALOLANDTRUST.ORG TO LEARN MORE.