CEO Message Adrienne L. Nakashima, CEO Heroically Embracing our Recycled Past At a recent member event, I was pleased to have the chance to chat with long-time Garden supporter and Banyan Legacy Society member, Gloria Balcom. Gloria told me that the reason she is so in love with our garden is because of our “scrappy past.” She shared that the other local and prestigious gardens can boast of their collections and their stunning grounds, but no other garden had to try as hard as South Coast Botanic Garden. “This garden is raised on garbage. It had to fight hard to survive, and has the best story to tell!” Gloria, of course, is right! Our past as an open pit mine and subsequent garbage landfill makes our location unique in the world — the first botanic garden built with such heritage. As staff, we sometimes struggle with our rough edges, though it might be good to also remind ourselves of our long and successful journey thus-far. In the coming months you will find us embracing this recycled past more and more, as we lead educational programs focused on sustainability themes and begin to tell our story more boldly. The Super Hero Run in May, with its ambition to save the planet through playtime, is a fun example of this. It is just the beginning for us.
Speaking of beginnings, I am thrilled to welcome you, our members, to be the first to enjoy the First Bloom of our new Rose Garden this April. As we wait for the plants to take root and the pathways to cure, I hope you are as excited as I am to celebrate these first blossoms in their new home. This has been a labor of love, 10 years in the making. Just like the rest of this place, this specialty garden is built atop the landfill, and true to our beginnings, we have lovingly recycled components of our previous garden to honor our sustainability mission. If you look closely, you may recognize the paving stones that line the walkways along the south edge, and the old fountain stones that have been reshaped and redeployed to honor the Kellogg family legacy in their new water feature. Thank you for your support of our recycled paradise. I look forward to seeing you on the trails this spring.
Calling all superheroes! Saturday , May 12 • 10am –3pm
bring him lp e h d n r-suit a est supe tive fun run! b r u o y gina . Grab this ima n.org/superhero e planet t h a t y g la in p y and arde estro se, laugh thcoastbotanicg illain is d o v lo il v t e e L n A sou today at Sign up
battle through planet-saving obstacles
PRESENTED BY
fight through physical challenges team up to solve earth-friendly riddles adventure through 2 kilometers
$17 members / $20 nonmembers Spectators $10 before April 15. All ages and fitness levels welcome.
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A Pandemonium of Parrots By Danielle Lacharite Brown
A stroll through the Garden can produce many delights, the sounds of bees buzzing, hummingbirds humming, and often noisy squawks emerging from the trees. The next time you walk down the Promenade, take a listen for the tell-tale squawk of the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, which often travels in large numbers. (Did you know that a flock of parakeets is called a pandemonium? This makes sense, considering that pandemonium can be defined as a wild uproar!) This photograph was captured by South Coast Botanic Garden member Tracy Kawamura earlier this month. On this particular day the parrots made it “rain” orange blooms as the munched from the coral tree on high. They can also be spotted blending in with the green pods of the Silk Floss Trees that line the parking lot, Promenade and Phoebe’s Meadow. Native to South America, California populations of these birds were not fully established until the 1970’s, likely introduced inadvertently through pet owners and pet traders. With ample habitat and food sources, like the South American Silk Floss Trees, they now inhabit a large swath of Southern California, from the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley and the LA Basin.
southcoastbotanicgarden.org | 4
Will Stop For
Nectar By Tanya Finney
As one of the first botanic gardens to be developed over a garbage landfill, South Coast Botanic Garden was an important destination for researchers interested in understanding the possibilities and pitfalls of land reclamation. In the 1960’s, ornithologists noticed a shift from gulls, crows and other scavenger birds picking through the trash to song birds and red shouldered hawks who enjoyed the new habitat. The entomologists, no doubt, noted the invertebrate populations shift from houseflies to butterflies as the nectar-bearing plants were introduced. More than a half century later, the trees have grown up and the plantings have matured to provide a successful and rich habitat for species of all kinds. Today, visiting naturalists might not even be aware of our reformed past. An exciting new research project began at the Garden last summer, led by Dr. Kathryn Theiss, an Assistant Professor with Cal State University Dominguez Hills who is looking at the pollination ecology of the tropical milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, a plant found commonly in home gardens. Dr. Theiss explains, “Due to their association with monarch butterflies, milkweeds are regularly planted across Los Angeles. With its increased prevalence in urban plantings and worldwide naturalization, gathering baseline pollinator visitation information will provide vital data on the potential impact of this species.� 5 | southcoastbotanicgarden.org
Due to reduced green space and pollution, cities run hot. So, it isn’t a stretch to suspect that plants growing in this environment, like tropical milkweed, fare differently than those growing in more rural settings. Dr. Theiss’ research will investigate whether the microbial communities that live in the nectar of urban milkweed differs from that growing in more rural environments. She is documenting the bacteria and yeasts found inside the plant nectar and the pollinators that the plants attract through entomological observation and botanic collection.
The scientific team can be spotted sitting at the edge of the Children’s Garden staring longingly into the telltale orange red clusters of milkweed. The team consists of seven students, including an aspiring science teacher who hopes to bring his future students to South Coast Botanic Garden someday. The observers have noted which pollinators are visiting the plants for nectar, aggressiveness to other pollinators (imagine a butterfly fight!), visitation to multiple flowers, pollination effectiveness and how the populations differ from place to place and over time. Observations are being compared with those at the Fullerton Arboretum and UC Riverside Botanic Garden to gain a more complete picture. The study is ongoing, but the early findings are interesting already. Ten different pollinators were found to visit the milkweed at South Coast Botanic Garden – with the top three visitors ranked as the western honey bee, monarch butterfly, and milkweed bug. The Garden is host to five visitors that were not seen at the other two sites – including Formicidae ants, Halictus bees, European paper wasps, a spotted cucumber beetle and a European house fly. Diversity of insect pollinators in the Garden is one indicator of the health of our ecosystem and the importance of our 87 acres in the middle of Los Angeles as a refuge for native wildlife. For those of us caring for the Garden, these studies may help to inform our future plantings and give us a greater understanding of the diversity of insect pollinators found in our own backyards. The next time you stroll down the Promenade, stop at the milkweed and take note of what pollinators you see, and maybe say hello to our visiting researchers perched nearby! southcoastbotanicgarden.org | 6
South Coast Botanic Garden | Spring in the Garden
MARCH
in the Garden
Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
TAI CHI IN THE GARDEN
Saturdays 9 – 10 am Learn this beautiful ancient Chinese practice, with graceful meditative movements that help maintain physical health, well-being and spiritual essence. Held weekly on the Koi Pond Patio, this activity is the perfect way to release tension, increase balance and improve relaxation. All ages and fitness levels welcome. One Class: $12 Members / $15 nonmembers 10-class Flex Pass: $100 Members / $125 nonmembers. Valid for Tai Chi and Yoga for up to six months.
DELUXE SAFARI ADVENTURE: ONCE UPON A FULL MOONLIGHT
Thursday, March 1 5:30 – 7:30 pm Free with Deluxe level membership or higher ($125 annually) Join us for a one of a kind exploration of the Garden – under a full moon, flashlights not required! Enjoy a presentation on the Earth’s moon and view the final full moon of the winter by telescope. Guests will be treated to s’mores and light refreshments. Dress for the weather. Reservations required.
YOGA IN THE GARDEN
Wednesdays and Saturdays 9:30 – 10:30 am Enjoy the sweeping views and fresh air of the Garden in this outdoor Hatha yoga class. It helps to develop balance and strength in mind and body. Join Mary Goodell as she leads you through physical postures, deep breathing, and mindful exercises suitable for all levels. Afterwards, consider a brisk walk or jog around tram road to add to our fitness regimen. One Class: $12 Members / $15 nonmembers 10-class Flex Pass: $100 Members / $125 nonmembers. Valid for Tai Chi and Yoga for up to six months.
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CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
Saturday, March 3 11 am – 4 pm Free with membership or Garden Admission. With a short blooming season, many believe Cherry Blossoms symbolize the fleeting beauty of life. It is also the national flower of Japan. Join us for a “hanami” or Cherry Blossom viewing as you stroll through the Garden or picnic in the Amphitheater Lawn. Travel to Japan through sight, taste and sound with picnic bento (lunch) boxes for sale by Okamoto Kitchen and live performances throughout the afternoon, including Kitsune Taiko, Hula and more. Visit southcoastbotanicgarden.org /cherryblossomfestival
MUSIC IN THE GARDEN: SHOWCASING YOUNG MUSICIANS OF THE PENINSULA AND SOUTH BAY
Sunday, March 4 12 – 4:30 pm Free with membership or Garden Admission. The Peninsula Committee Los Angeles Philharmonic invites you to Music in the Garden, which showcases young musicians of Peninsula and South Bay schools. Festivities will also include Philharmonic’s Music Mobile, face painting, drum circle, food for purchase and more. Bring your families for a fun day in the garden!
IKEBANA FLORAL DESIGN
Tuesdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24 12:30 – 2:30 pm $120 Members / $133 Nonmembers Materials fee is $40 beginners / $80 advance. Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of floral arranging. Instructor Yumiko Kikkawa of the Ohara School of Ikebana, will guide you to see beyond the decorative and help you merge the indoors and outdoors through the mechanics of manipulation and the observation of materials for their best usage. Registration required.
What's in Bloom Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
Acacia, African Cornflag, Aloe, Clivia, Flowering Cherry, Flowering Peach, Narcissus, Quince, Saucer Magnolia, Wisteria
ORIENTAL IMPRESSIONISTIC WATERCOLOR
KIDS CLUB: BUG HUNT
SOUTH COAST AFRICAN VIOLET SOCIETY SHOW AND SALE
AUDUBON BIRD WALK
Fridays, March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27 9 am – Noon $85 Members / $95 Nonmembers. Noted artist and instructor Hisako Asano will share her approach to a world of delicate watercolor painting. Create paintings of nature that capture this softcolored art form, learn to blend colors, and how to manipulate 3-D values with a single stroke. Registration required.
Saturday, March 10 10:30 am, demonstration 11:00 am – 4 pm, sales 11:30 am – 4 pm, show Free with membership or Garden Admission. Leonard Re will lead a demonstration on the care and culture of the African Violet. Learn how to put down a leaf, repot a mature plant, rejuvenate a plant with a long neck and remove a sucker. The sale will feature many varieties of house plants, including beautiful African Violets. The show will feature exquisite specimens.
Sunday, March 11 1 – 4 pm Free with membership or Garden Admission. RSVP highly encouraged at southcoastbotanicgarden.org/kidsclub. Grab your map and put on your explorer’s hat to visit four mission stations in search of the miniature beasts that call the Garden their home. Catch flying insects with sweep nets, discover what invertebrates make their home in the soil, and learn the life cycle of bugs. Sunday, March 11 8 – 11 am Free public program RSVP encouraged at classes@southcoastbotanicgarden.org Join the Palos Verdes and South Bay Audubon Society for a tour of the Garden in search of birds. Bird walks are a great way to learn to identify birds and appreciate nature. No experience required, binoculars are highly recommended. Meet in the Elaine Cornish Courtyard. Group departs at 8am sharp.
SPRING PLANT SALE
Saturday, March 24 Members-only Preview Sales: 7 – 9 am General Public: 9 am – 4 pm Free with membership or Garden Admission. Sponsored by Propagation Workshop, Back 40 and South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation, this annual Plant Sale is an important fundraiser for the Garden and a popular community event. Stop by early to see the best selection. Participating vendors include: TOMATOMANIA!, MB Landscaping and Nursery, Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, Ricardo’s Nursery, Palos Verdes Begonia Society and South Coast Rose Society. Donated plants from Native Sons will also be available for purchase. Members will enjoy VIP access, donuts and coffee, and a 10% discount during Members-only Preview hours.
GARDEN FOTO FEST
Sunday, March 25 9 am – 4 pm $129 per person and $49 for teen photographer with an adult ticket. Explore the Garden through your own lens at Garden Foto Fest, presented by PAUL’S PHOTO, Creative Photo Academy and the South Coast Botanic Garden. Guests of all ages and skill levels will learn the art of photography. Garden Foto Fest features hands-on workshops, dropin stations and dynamic presentations. Register online at creativephotoacademy .com/events/garden-foto-fest/ or by phone at (310) 375-7014. southcoastbotanicgarden.org | 8
APRIL
in the Garden
Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
South Coast Botanic Garden | Spring in the Garden
TAI CHI IN THE GARDEN
Saturdays 9 – 10 am Learn this beautiful ancient Chinese practice, with graceful meditative movements that help maintain physical health, well-being and spiritual essence. This activity, held on the Koi Pond Patio, is the perfect way to release tension, increase balance and improve relaxation. All ages and fitness levels welcome. One Class: $12 Members / $15 nonmembers 10-class Flex Pass: $100 Members / $125 nonmembers. Valid for Tai Chi and Yoga for up to six months.
Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
YOGA IN THE GARDEN
Wednesdays and Saturdays 9:30 – 10:30 am Enjoy the sweeping views and fresh air of the Garden in this outdoor Hatha yoga class. It helps to develop balance and strength in mind and body. Join Mary Goodell as she leads you through physical postures, deep breathing, and mindful exercises suitable for all levels. Afterwards, consider a brisk walk or jog around tram road to add to our fitness regimen. One Class: $12 Members / $15 nonmembers 10-class Flex Pass: $100 Members / $125 nonmembers. Valid for Tai Chi and Yoga for up to six months. 9 | southcoastbotanicgarden.org
IKEBANA FLORAL DESIGN
Tuesdays, April 3, 10, 17, 24 12:30 – 2:30 pm $120 Members / $133 Nonmembers. Materials fee is $40 beginners / $80 advance. Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of floral arranging. Instructor Yumiko Kikkawa of the Ohara School of Ikebana, will guide you to see beyond the decorative and help you merge the indoors and outdoors through the mechanics of manipulation and the observation of materials for their best usage. Registration required.
ORIENTAL IMPRESSIONISTIC WATERCOLOR
Fridays, April 6, 13, 20, 27 9 am – Noon $85 Members / $95 Nonmembers. Noted artist and instructor Hisako Asano will share her approach to a world of delicate watercolor painting. Create paintings of nature that capture this softcolored art form, learn to blend colors, and how to manipulate 3-D values with a single stroke. Registration required.
SOUTH COAST CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY SHOW AND SALE
Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8 9 am – 4 pm Free with membership or Garden admission For two days Francis Young Hall will overflow with thousands of sculptural, rare, colorful and beautiful cacti and succulents. Society members and growers will be on hand to help you select plants which best meet your needs—indoors or outdoors and for drought-tolerant landscapes. See southcoastcss.org for more information.
RAISED BED AND CONTAINER GARDENING
Saturday, April 7 9 am – Noon $25 Members / $30 Nonmembers. Nothing beats homegrown veggies in flavor and freshness, plus the peace of mind that comes from knowing where and how our food is grown! This hands-on workshop with Master Gardener, Liza Go is designed with the beginner home gardener in mind. It focuses on the basics of raised bed and container gardening including: soil and growing media, season appropriate vegetables and herbs, seeds and starts, maintenance - watering, fertilizers, pest management, harvesting. So get your hands dirty, and start growing your own food. Participants are requested to bring their own garden gloves, and garden hand tools. Please wear closed toed shoes, sunscreen and a hat. Registration required.
Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY GARDEN TOUR 2018
Saturday, April 7 9:30 am and 1:30 pm Take an exclusive guided tour of three beautiful home gardens that showcase California Native Plants. Take photos, meet fellow plant enthusiasts, and get inspired to plant California natives in your own home garden. Tickets are $25. For more information visit sccnps.org or email cnps.president@yahoo.com.
What's in Bloom Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
Acacia, Aloe, California Lilac, California Poppy, Calla Lily, Coral Tree, Eucalyptus, Pride of Madeira, Spear Lily, Tabebuia, Wisteria AUDUBON BIRD WALK
Sunday, April 8 8 – 11 am Free public program RSVP encouraged at classes@southcoastbotanicgarden.org Join the Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon Society for a tour of the Garden in search of birds. Bird walks are a great way to learn to identify birds and appreciate nature. No experience required, binoculars are highly recommended. Meet in the Elaine Cornish Courtyard. Group departs at 8am sharp.
LITTLE SPROUTS (Ages 3-5)
Thursdays, April 12, 19, 26 and May 3 10:30 – 11:45 am $95 Members / $110 Non-members Join us this spring for a series of outdoor adventures designed to introduce children and their caregivers to the wonders of the natural world. Each class will include guided exploration through the Garden and a hands-on project. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please dress for the outdoors. Registration required. Class size is limited to the first 15 registrants.
BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION WITH WATERCOLOR
MEMBER PREVIEW DAYS: ROSE GARDEN FIRST BLOOM
Thursday, April 20-21 9 am – 5 pm Free with membership. Be the first to enjoy the first blooms of the new Rose Garden. Members are invited to bring and enjoy a picnic, smell the roses and take in the view of nearly 100 cultivars, including 20 old and rare varieties.
BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION FOR ADULTS AND TEENS:
Sunday, April 22 9:30 am – Noon $45 Members / $53 Non-members Approriate for the beginning artist as well as those with more experience who want to refresh their skills, students will be inspired by natural forms from the Garden to create a black and white composition. Professional artist and art instructor Susan Summit Cyr will guide you through the process in a warm and nurturing environment – from working with live material using charcoal and white pencil, design basics, and developing form using light and shadow. Fee includes all supplies needed for the class. Registration required.
KIDS CLUB: WONDERLAND TEA PARTY
Sunday, April 22 1 – 4 pm Free with membership or Garden admission. RSVP highly encouraged at southcoastbotanicgarden.org/kidsclub Put on your Cheshire grin and imagination cap (or top hat) for an adventure through the Garden’s wonderland of trails and hidden treasures. Search for rabbit holes, dare to play an Eat Me, Drink Me game, and brew and sip rose tea in the Rose Garden.
MEET THE ARTIST: ERIC ERNEST JOHNSON
Sunday, April 22 Noon – 2 pm Free public program. Meet artist Eric Ernest Johnson and receive a signed copy of his “Through the Eyes of Artists” Metro poster featuring the South Coat Botanic Garden. The work was commissioned as part of a series by Metro to celebrate transportation through colorful destination posters. In his depiction, a whimsical bird’s-eye view of the Garden is surrounded by waves amid the flourishing Palos Verdes Peninsula
Tuesday, April 17 9:30 am – Noon $45 Members / $53 Non-members Join artist and longtime art instructor Susan Summit Cyr on a journey to capture the beauty of the natural world in a tinted watercolor pen and ink drawing using live material for inspiration. Students will learn how to accurately capture form and then use watercolor paint to infuse life into their piece. All artistic experience levels welcome. Fee includes all supplies needed for the class. Registration required. Photo by: Tracy Kawamura
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South Coast Botanic Garden | Spring in the Garden
MAY
in the Garden
Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
TAI CHI IN THE GARDEN
Saturdays 9 – 10 am Learn this beautiful ancient Chinese practice, with graceful meditative movements that help maintain physical health, well-being and spiritual essence. This activity, held on the Koi Pond Patio, is the perfect way to release tension, increase balance and improve relaxation. All ages and fitness levels welcome. One Class: $12 Members / $15 nonmembers 10-class Flex Pass: $100 Members / $125 nonmembers. Valid for Tai Chi and Yoga for up to six months.
SOUTH COAST EPIPHYLLUM SOCIETY SHOW AND SALE
Sunday, May 6 9 am – 4 pm Free with Garden admission If you are not familiar with an Epiphyllum, consider the popular Christmas cactus, with bright pink flowers that come out during the holidays. This, and other varieties will be on display to showcase the varied and colorful show-stopping blooms of hybrid epiphytic cacti. Plants and cuttings will be available to purchase, and even if you are just browsing, the annual show is worth a visit.
YOGA IN THE GARDEN
Wednesdays and Saturdays 9:30 – 10:30 am Enjoy the sweeping views and fresh air of the Garden in this outdoor Hatha yoga class. It helps to develop balance and strength in mind and body. Join Mary Goodell as she leads you through physical postures, deep breathing, and mindful exercises suitable for all levels. Afterwards, consider a brisk walk or jog around tram road to add to our fitness regimen. One Class: $12 Members / $15 nonmembers 10-class Flex Pass: $100 Members / $125 nonmembers. Valid for Tai Chi and Yoga for up to six months. Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
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THE SUPERHERO RUN: SAVING THE EARTH ONE OBSTACLE COURSE AT A TIME
Saturday, May 12 10 am – 3 pm Presale: $17 Members / $20 Nonmembers / $10 Spectators After April 15: $25 Members / $30 Nonmembers / $15 Spectators Calling superheroes of all ages! Don your favorite superhero costume and trek through the Garden’s 2-kilometer trail on a mission to save the Earth from doom by the evil Dr. Glo. Intent on destroying the Earth via Global Warming, you’ll need your wits to defend against this super villain. Superheroes must rely on their intelligence, teamwork and speed to get through mini-obstacle courses and challenges along the way. Registration required. All ages and fitness levels welcome. Visit southcoastbotanicgarden.org/superhero
Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
What's in Bloom Photo by: Paula and Tom Zimmerman
Buckwheat, California Lilac, California Poppy, Calla Lily, Calliandra, Coral Tree, Eucalyptus, Iris, Jacaranda, Pride of Madeira, Red Crinum Lily, Rose, Tabebuia
CELEBRATION OF ROSES and CLEMATIS: SOUTH COAST ROSE SOCIETY’S 36TH ANNUAL ROSE SHOW and SALE Saturday, May 12 10 am – 4 pm Free with membership or Garden admission. Rose and clematis enthusiasts are encouraged to enter their flowering blooms in our community show. Entries are accepted between 6:30am and 10am. The Rose Society will provide vases for all blooms. Please bring flower arrangements in personal containers. Stop by to chat with our consulting Rosarians and knowledgeable members. SCRS will also have roses, tools and our famous rose cocktail for sale.
PALOS VERDES SYMPHONIC BAND MOTHER’S DAY CONCERT
Sunday, May 13 2-4 pm Free with Garden admission. Join the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band for its annual Mother’s Day concert on the Upper Meadow. Entitled “Magnificent Melodies,” the program will feature the best in concert band music, including works by Eric Whitacre, Frank Ticheli, Leonard Bernstein and Arturo Márquez. Come for the flowers, stay for the music! Purchase tickets in advance online or at the Visitor Services Center.
AUDUBON BIRD WALK
Sunday, May 13 8 – 11 am Free public program, RSVP encouraged. Join the Palos Verdes and South Bay Audubon Society for a tour of the Garden in search of birds. Bird walks are a great way to learn to identify birds and appreciate nature. No experience required, binoculars are highly recommended. Meet in the Elaine Cornish Courtyard. Group departs at 8am sharp.
LANDSCAPE PASTEL PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR
Saturday, May 26 9 am – 1:30 pm $72 Members/$80 Nonmembers Learn to paint landscapes from awardwinning artist, Joe Mancuso. He will demonstrate his painting techniques using soft pastels in a friendly and relaxed outdoor Garden atmosphere. Supply list provided at registration. Registration required.
KIDS CLUB: POLINATOR PARTY!
Sunday, May 20 1 – 4 pm Free with membership or Garden admission. RSVP highly encouraged at southcoastbotanicgarden.org/kidsclub Don your favorite flying costume (fairy wings, superhero cape, you name it!) and join us on a Garden adventure in search of the earth’s chief pollinators: bees, birds, butterflies and bats. Discover ways to attract butterflies, make a bee motel, use your super bat sense, and explore the trails on your own bird watch.
SAVE THE DATE AFTERNOON TEA IN THE ROSE GARDEN
Saturday, June 2 Free for Members at the $500 Supporter level or higher and for Banyan Legacy Society members. Join or upgrade your membership today. southcoastbotanicgarden.org | 12
P is for Puma A Members Field Trip with P-22 By Danielle Lacharite Brown
On a warm winter’s day this February, Sustainer members and above were treated to the first VIP members’ field trip, a once-per-year benefit of membership at the $300 level and higher. The day began with breakfast refreshments and coffee with the Garden’s CEO Adrienne L. Nakashima who welcomed the group. We then excursioned via luxury coach to the Griffith Park Visitor Center where we met field biologist, Miguel Ordeñana, the naturalist that secured the first evidence of a mountain lion living in the park. Miguel presented on his research with P-22, the now famous Hollywood puma. We learned about the typical range of wild mountain lions and the arduous journey this lion took in order to make the park his home. The misadventures of P-22 were particularly fascinating, as we were reminded of the pitfalls of a big cat living in an urban setting. First caught under a home and pelted with bean bags, then poisoned by rodent control chemicals that built up in lesser food sources like raccoons, and of course there was the incident with the zoo where a koala became an easy meal for the top cat. Most interesting, was our hike into the park where Miguel showed us his tricks of the trade – hidden cameras that snap photos when nighttime motion is detected. We hooked up the laptop to the camera and were thrilled to learn that the cat had been in that very spot just 7 days prior. The crowd oohed and ahhhed as Miguel played the video, and then, of course, the questions flowed. “The special opportunity to connect with one another and to have access to a wildlife expert was a real treat.” said Garden Circle Member, Brent Enright. An important take-away for the group was the concept of “wildlife islands,” areas of green space and rich habitat located within urban sprawl where animals can thrive but have difficulty leaving to find new territory. Ordeñana suggested that in Palos Verdes, while we wouldn’t expect to find pumas, we are likely to see red fox, coyotes, skunks and raccoons. “The day reinforced my commitment to the South Coast Botanic Garden’s 87 acres, and the importance they play in providing habitat.” said Garden Circle member Charlie Brown.
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SPRING PLANT SALE Peruse plants from the Garden’s Propagation Greenhouse and: • TOMATOMANIA! • MB Landscaping and Nursery • Ricardo’s Nursery • Native Sons and more!
Saturday, March 24 Members-only Preview Sales: 7 – 9 am General Public: 9 am – 4 pm Free with membership or Garden Admission.
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 234 TORRANCE, CA
SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN FOUNDATION 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
Introducing the Little Sprouts! Enjoy a little “pre-schooler-and-me” time at South Coast Botanic Garden. Guided sensory excursions Hands-on art projects Social time for kids ages 3-5
11:45
Register today at southcoastbotanicgarden.org/littlesprouts
GARDEN HOURS
9:00am to 5:00pm The Garden is open to the public 364 days a year, closed on Christmas Day
GIFT SHOP HOURS 10:00am to 5:00pm
PHOTO SUBMISSIONS
We are currently accepting photos for the Summer 2018 edition of the newsletter. Submissions are due by April 1. All photos should be sent to marketing@southcoastbotanicgarden.org. By submitting your photos, you agree to give SCBGF permission to use the photos in publications and other marketing materials.
CONTACT US (310) 544-1948
feedback@southcoastbotanicgarden.org www.facebook.com/scbgarden COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Paula and Tom Zimmerman