We are proud to announce that 15 members of our staff have completed the California Native Plant Landscaper Certificate Program (CNPLC). We are one of two botanic gardens to do so and the first botanic garden to approach Theodore Payne Foundation for this certification. Our certified staff includes members of our Horticulture, Visitor Services, Ranger and Development teams, as well as Garden Executives.

There is a big movement towards native plants in the garden and landscape industry, and seeing this, the Theodore Payne Foundation spearheaded the creation of this program to provide job training to landscape professionals on how to best maintain California’s unique flora. This program was developed and taught by highly respected native plant experts – in our case Brandy Williams of Garden Butterfly – in both Spanish and English with veteran and aspiring professionals in mind. 

South Coast Botanic Garden pursued this professional development opportunity to enrich the knowledge and skills of its diverse staff as many do not come from a traditional industry background. Due to California’s unique climate, it is home to about 7,000 plant species and a third are endemic, so as a public garden it is our responsibility to understand and protect our environment while sharing this knowledge with the community. 
 
You will see this training used in our Pollination Garden, which has been newly planted with native plants, as well as the upkeep of other Garden areas. Recently, the team had to remove the native California sycamore (Platanus racemosa) on the north side of the Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden as it was leaning precariously over a bench and had invasive shothole borers.  Due to the safety issues for guests as well as our plants, the team removed the tree and replaced it with an island ironwood tree (Lyonothamnus floribundus subsp. aspleniifolius). This tree species is native to the Channel Islands and will feel at home here near the coast. It has lovely peeling reddish bark, lacy leaves, and creamy white flowers in spring. 
 
Thank you to those who participated in this certificate. We are proud of the work our team is doing within the Garden as well as outside of our 87 acres to ensure they are at the top of their game.