South Coast Botanic Garden Foundation Inc

Horticulturehorticulture is at the core of south coast botanic garden's programs, with a team of experts that tend to specialty gardens and plant collections 7 days per week. The growing horticulture collection provides habitat for a variety of animals (birds, insects, mammals, a turtle and even fish) while also creating green space that has earth-cooling and water conservation benefits for the local environment. Formal gardens are tended with care to curate a professional display of specialty plants like roses, staghorn ferns, cacti succulents, and native varieties. The plants provide respite for our visitors from their busy lives and a space to enjoy the health benefits of nature such as reduced blood pressure, eased anxiety, and physical exercise.

Engagementwelcomed 385,000 visitors to enjoy our 87-acre botanic garden, with miles of nature trails and formal plant displays and engaging programs and exhibitions. Special programs included trolls: save the humans, bloom, soar tropical butterflies, astra lumina, washed ashore, sunset series, hide and seek and lunar new year. Workshop experiences deepened community connections as guests prepared holiday wreaths, painted upcycled hummingbird feeders, and learned to make beads from magazines. Roughly 12,000 individuals were admitted free-of-charge through programs designed to make the garden financially accessible for all.

The balance of total program service expenses and revenues supported the garden in fulfilling its mission to connect all to the wonders of nature. Program activities included marketing and outreach to drive visitation, digital engagement through social media storytelling, and membership programs that deepened public connection to nature through expert-led educational presentations. Operational work included facility maintenance (e.g., koi pond care, vehicle upkeep, custodial services), guest safety and logistics through the rangers program, signage and wayfinding, and food and beverage services to enhance guest experience. Additional efforts included management of ticketing and membership systems to optimize year-round attendance, private event venue operations, visitor services, long-term vision planning for future capital improvement projects, and change management consultation to support a healthy and effective leadership team.