Garden’s Plans Modest and Safe

The Botanic Garden is a beautiful part of Santa Barbara. We should be proud to have such a valuable asset here in our community. That being said, the Garden is under pressure and needs our support.

Recently a few citizens have expressed their concern over the Garden’s Vital Mission Plan. These concerns, though, are unfounded and aim to restrict the Garden continuing to operate as a world class scientific institution.

The SBBG is in need of renovation due to antiquated facilities and the recent Jesusita Fire. Their new plans are modest calling for the Garden to be 99% open space. They need to improve space for labs, classrooms, storage of plant specimens, and to incorporate a piece of land known as the Cavalli Property. Why would we not support open, lush space as well as the improvement of an educational and scientific site?

According to the Santa Barbara Fire Department, the Garden’s previous renovations (such as fire hydrants) helped protect homes during the recent fire. More importantly its new plans will make Mission Canyon even safer from fire danger.

The Garden has been around for decades and served our community well. Like all facilities though, updates are required if we would like to keep the property as pristine as possible. It is a beautiful piece of land that preserves our native environment and educates our citizens, both adults and children. I urge you all to get behind the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden in order to make the future Garden a place even greater than it is now.-Scott Schachter