May 2025 – Elings Park Nature Walk, Led by Botanic Garden
This month’s walk is May 10 and is an Introduction to the iNaturalist Plants, for the Pollinators Project. It is led by the Garden’s Director of Conservation and Research Denise Knapp, Ph.D. and Terrestrial Invertebrate Conservation Ecologist Sarah Cusser, Ph.D.
Free Nature Walks of Elings Park have returned for the third year with a slate of new topics about the 230-acre park’s biodiversity. Once again led by Santa Barbara Botanic Garden experts, the walks are held monthly through December 2025.
Nature Walks are held on the second Saturday of the month, start at 9 a.m., and meet at the Elings Park Softball Fields parking lot. They are free and no reservations are needed.
The walks are part of an on-going collaboration between the Garden and Elings Park, and each walk includes a visit to their one-acre California-native plant restoration project in South Park.
UPCOMING WALKS:
June 14 – History and Restoration of Elings Park
Led by Elings Park Executive Director Dean Noble and the Garden’s Director of Conservation and Research Denise Knapp, Ph.D.
July 12 – Flower Visitors and Other Insect Residents
Led by the Garden’s Terrestrial Invertebrate Conservation Ecologist Zach Phillips, Ph.D. and Terrestrial Invertebrate Conservation Ecologist Sarah Cusser, Ph.D.
August 9 – Fantastic Flies and Other Bugs You Didn’t Know You Love
Led by the Garden’s Terrestrial Invertebrate Conservation Ecologist Zach Phillips, Ph.D., and Director of Conservation and Research Denise Knapp, Ph.D.
September 13 – Birds!
Led by the Garden’s Director of Education and Engagement Scot Pipkin and Terrestrial Invertebrate Conservation Ecologist Zach Phillips, Ph.D.
October 11 – Spiders and Other Weird Critters
Led by the Garden’s Terrestrial Invertebrate Conservation Ecologist Zach Phillips, Ph.D., and
Invertebrate Biodiversity Technician José Flores
November 8 – Inside Scoop on Preparing Pressed Plant Museum Specimens – A Show-and-Tell Experience
Led by the Garden’s Herbarium Collections Manager Annie Ayers and Terrestrial Invertebrate Conservation Ecologist Sarah Cusser, Ph.D.
December 13 – Birds!
Led by the Garden’s Director of Education and Engagement Scot Pipkin & Terrestrial Invertebrate Conservation Ecologist Zach Phillips, Ph.D.