San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden announces upcoming events

Nature Nights, Art in the Garden & Plant Sale, Orchid Fest 2023,
and Educational Programming  
 
February 21, 2023 (San Luis Obispo, CA) – San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden presents a myriad of entertainment and educational offerings for the entire family.
 
NATURE NIGHTS
Friday & Saturday Evenings
Now thru March 18
$24.75 Adults / $14.75 12 & under / 2 & under Free
NATURE NIGHTS, an eight-acre experience in light and art for the entire family. This immersive experience features digital imagery by Bryn Forbes,  Michael Reddell's wire sculptures and artistic lighting of the garden by lighting designer, Kody Cava. Beer and wine available for purchase.
Tickets at My805Tix.com
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FOUNDER’S WALK & TALK
Tuesday, March 7
11:00AM – 12:30PM
$10.00 / Members Free
Join gardening expert and SLOBG founder Eve Vigil for great tips and tricks for your garden. Subjects may touch on the Garden’s history, what’s in bloom, important maintenance – when and why – or whatever interests the group. Have you ever wondered how the garden beds were initially prepared, what the irrigation schedule is or anything about the plants?  Well, come on out and ask Eve! Meet new people and learn great tips and tricks for having a stunning water-frugal garden.
 
Please bring water and comfortable shoes for our walk around the garden!
For more information about registering for this program, email millie@slobg.org, or call (805) 541 – 1400 x302. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
SOUL and SOIL: Prenatal & Postnatal Gatherings
Tuesdays, March 7 & 21
10:00AM – 11:30AM
$10.00 / Members and children Free
Studies show that digging in the dirt can uplift your spirit. The friendly bacteria, Mycobacterium vaccae, present in the soil stimulates serotonin production, acting as a natural antidepressant. We believe the lack of understanding around prenatal and postnatal care has resulted in isolated, overlooked, and overwhelmed mothers, and that “postnatal” is not a stage, but forever. The SLO Botanical Garden offers a safe space (and plenty of healthy soil) to help us connect to our bodies, our littles, the natural world, and each other. Including snacks, activities, and care for little ones, join us for grounding in your pregnancy and lifelong postpartum journey. Please bring water, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, snacks and messy play clothes for your children, and an optional blanket or mat if you’d like to sit on the floor.
For more information about registering for this program, email millie@slobg.org, or call (805) 541 – 1400 x302.
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YOGA ON THE TERRACE
Saturdays, March 11 & 18
9:00AM – 10:00AM
$12.00 / $10.00 Members – Class Package available
Outdoor yoga rejuvenates the body and soul and helps you find center by grounding you to the earth. Our resident yogi, Cheryl of Waking Fields Yoga, channels the natural healing energy of our garden into her weekly class on the terrace of SLOBG. Start your weekend on a positive foot with a yoga class for all levels that focuses on mind-body unity.
 
Please bring a mat, towel, water, and any supports you may need.
For more information about registering for this program, email millie@slobg.org, or call (805) 541 – 1400 x302.
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CHUMASH ETHNOBOTANY with Jan Timbrook
Saturday, March 11
1:00PM – 2:00PM
$15.00 / $5.00 Members
Chumash people have used some 150 species of plants for food, medicine, raw materials for making clothing, tools and utensils, religious paraphernalia, and other items essential to existence. Equally important are the ways in which the Chumash thought about plants and were affected by them.
Dr. Timbrook's informative, illustrated talk will provide a glimpse into the fascinating plant world of the Chumash, including the complex interrelationships between the first people of our region and the environment in which they lived.
For more information about registering for this program, email millie@slobg.org, or call (805) 541 – 1400 x302. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
FREE FAMILY DAY
Sunday, March 12
9:00AM – 4:00PM
It’s Free Family Day—the day of the month when admission to the garden is waived all day for all guests! Help us celebrate by bringing your family down to SLOBG to explore the beautiful plant collection, talk to docents and plant experts throughout the garden, and participate in fun family activities!
This month, join us and our community partner, Raise Up SLO, who are bringing African drumming to our garden! Enjoy the music and create your own instruments with recycled and natural materials.
Please bring water, comfortable shoes, and sunscreen and messy play clothes for your children!
For more information about registering for this program, email millie@slobg.org, or call (805) 541 – 1400 x302. __________________________________________________________________________________________
ACORN ADVENTURE HIKES
Sunday, March 12
10:00AM – 11:00AM
$10.00 children of non-Members / $5.00 children of Members
Hike with us up our Discovery Trail for Acorn Adventures, a guided hike with fun activities along the way. This monthly family-friendly hike for approximately an hour will pass by some special sites and plants along our Discovery Trail. Get some exercise and adventure with the whole family!
 
Please bring water and sunscreen, and wear comfortable clothes and shoes for our hike! Rain may cancel.
For more information about registering for this program, email millie@slobg.org, or call (805) 541 – 1400 x302. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
BIRD & BOTANY WALK with Ken Levine & Mark Mushkat
Thursday, March 23
8:00AM – 10:00AM
$20.00 / $10.00 Members
The Garden is excited to present a monthly bird walk series which explores the intersection of birds and botany. Many plant lovers and many bird watchers enjoy their passions without much regard to how these two realms interact. Yet the links between birds and flora are critical to each, from pollination to seed distribution to nesting and shelter. This walk, led by Mark Mushkat and Ken Levine, studies birdlife amongst the plants of the botanical garden. The focus will be on which avian species are drawn to certain plants, what’s gained or lost in the exchange, and how this understanding can shape your own landscaping efforts to the benefit of fauna and flora. Allowing for a two-hour exploration, on mostly flat terrain, we expect to see and hear a wide variety of avian species as they feed, hide, nest, and defend territory in the garden’s lush habitat.
For more information about registering for this program, email millie@slobg.org, or call (805) 541 – 1400 x302. __________________________________________________________________________________________________
ART IN THE GARDEN & PLANT SALE
Saturday & Sunday, March 25 & 26
10:00AM - 4:00PM
FREE ADMISSION
This bi-annual event will take place in the Garden’s Oak Glen Pavilion, the surrounding patio spaces as well as the Garden display areas. Over 30 artists will be showing and selling their work in a variety of mediums, including wood, ceramics, glass, oil painting, and metalwork. Additionally, a wide variety of sustainable, plants from the five Mediterranean climate zones (California, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and the Mediterranean basin) will be on display and available for purchase.
 
The Jill Knight Duo will be performing from 11:30am until 2:30pm each day. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
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ORCHID FEST 2023
Saturday & Sunday, April 1 & 2
10:00AM – 4:00PM
FREE ADMISSION
Come and experience the splendor of orchids! Seven area orchid societies will be exhibiting and selling their individual specialties: Cal Coast Orchids, Orchid Design, Sunset Valley Orchids, Orchids of Los Osos, Asbell Orchids, Ambriz Kingdom of Plants and SLO Orchids.
Gardening, orchid growing and related merchandise in addition to food and beverage will be available for purchase.
Produced in association with Five Cities Orchid Society.
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About San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is a non-profit organization showcasing plants from the five Mediterranean climate zones. SLOBG fosters an appreciation of the relationship between people and nature and encourages a sense of stewardship for the natural environment.  SLOBG is located at 3450 Dairy Creek Road, within El Chorro Regional Park, off Highway 1 between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. Admission is $10 per person, and free for both Garden Members and children 12 and under.
For tickets and info: slobg.org, or call (805) 541-1400.

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