CONSERVATION, SUSTAINABILITY & RESTORATION

The Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, situated on the ancestral territory of the Chumash People, encompasses over 200 acres of stewarded open space, surrounded on three sides by the Los Padres National Forest. Our Preserve is protected by a conservation easement with the Humane World for Animals Wildlife Land Trust. This legal agreement limits development and holds us accountable for protecting the land’s natural resources and wildlife habitats. This ensures that the majority of our land remains a wildlife corridor, allowing safe passage for animals living on the property and in nearby protected areas. We also offer various programs and initiatives focused on land care, restoration, and sustainability. We encourage those who want to be a part of these efforts to get involved by volunteering and attending educational events throughout the year.

OAK WOODLAND RESTORATION

Taft Gardens is collaborating with the Loyola Marymount University Center for Urban Resilience (CURes) to restore 10 acres of oak woodland and native grassland habitat within our 264-acre ecological preserve. This partnership between CURes and Taft Gardens builds on our earlier efforts to restore native habitats. It aims to accelerate natural recovery and enhance public awareness of the ecological and cultural significance of oak trees. The project involves planting and caring for oak woodlands and native grasslands, creating accessible educational materials and programs, and acknowledging the land's indigenous connections. Funding will be allocated toward materials, planting, management, and public outreach, all of which demonstrate how non-profits, academia, and indigenous leaders can collaborate.

WHITE SAGE RESTORATION

In a pressing effort to combat the White Sage poaching crisis, Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve has partnered with Elena Rios a certified Nature Connection Guide/Mentor, Interdisciplinary Artist/Cultural Practitioner and Wildland Fire Professional with the Chumash Fire Department. to restore the preserve's open space by planting White Sage (Salvia apiana). This initiative directly addresses the global demand for White Sage that is poached and bundled for smudging, then sold in large quantities on marketplaces like Amazon. This has led to a severe decline in wild White Sage populations. The plant's native habitat is unique to a small area stretching from coastal Santa Barbara County to Northern Baja, making it especially vulnerable. Taft Gardens is committed to raising awareness about this poaching crisis and will continue to expand its White Sage restoration efforts on a seasonal basis.

POLLINATOR GARDEN

Our Pollinator Garden was planted to support the native insects, birds, and small mammals responsible for moving pollen from one flower to another, an essential process that allows plants to fertilize and reproduce. This essential process supports the health of the entire ecosystem. Through habitat restoration, research, and educational initiatives, we strive to strengthen the area's pollinator populations. Our goal is to educate the community on the importance of this work in increasing biodiversity and cultivating a more resilient and sustainable landscape.

Nestled between our cultivated gardens and the wild Preserve, the Pollinator Garden shares a tranquil space with our stone Labyrinth. Its path, shaped like the grand oak that shades it, invites visitors into a meditative journey. By walking the labyrinth, you can practice mindfulness, gain spiritual insight, and tap into a sense of clarity, all while deepening your connection with the natural world.