A botanical garden means different things to different people. The International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation defines it as “…institutions holding documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific research, conservation, display and education." Perhaps the best way to think of it is as a zoo for plants, where plants from around the world are displayed with their proper scientific names.
But whatever your definition, botanical gardens are also places of beauty, where plants are often grown to perfection, and where you can be amazed by the diversity of the plant world. They may also have ornamental gardens, water features, and seasonal displays.
A botanical garden will be a resource for learning and teaching conservation and sustainability. As well as provide green spaces for many other type of events.
Throughout the world, major destination cities have included botanical gardens as one of the attractions that visitors come to see. Think of the New York Botanical Garden, in NY, the Huntington, in the greater Los Angeles area, or the Royal Botanical Gardens in London.
These gardens aren’t just for tourists, however. The psychological and health benefits of green spaces have been well documented. As open, green spaces in our cities become “developed” into housing tracts, shopping malls, and industrial or business complexes, citizens can lose their connection to the source of our food, our water, and the very air we breathe.
Great question! This is the question we get asked more than any other. Currently, we are considering several sites, and working with the Sacramento city council to determine which area will be best for the garden.
Well, everyone! Our vision for the garden includes a “garden to fork” restaurant, where fruit and vegetables will be grown on the premises. You will be able to see growing in the garden what may be on your lunch plate later that afternoon.
Are you a lover of the local art scene? The gift shop will feature work of local artists and craftsmen available for sale. Every summer the garden will present its “Art in the Garden” contest, where artists will create outdoor art installations to be judged by the public.
Or maybe you love classical music. Imagine listening to Bach or Beethoven outdoors on a warm summer evening, while dining on your own picnic dinner.
Of course! The Sacramento Botanical Garden will feature different styles of landscapes, from drought tolerant, to vegetable and fruit gardens, to flower gardens. The “Idea Garden” will show what you can do in your own back yard. Our staff will happily share their knowledge with you, so that you can try to adapt our ideas to your own garden.
We love native plants! Growing native plants seems like a natural for the Sacramento Botanical Garden to engage in, and indeed you will find plenty of native plants at the garden.
Did you know that many of our native plants have very specific needs and are actually more difficult to grow than many non-natives? California is the third largest state in the nation, with many different climates in its 164,000 square miles, and therefore many different cultural needs for our various natives. Our focus will be native plants that thrive in our particular climate of hot dry summers and cool variably wet winters. We hope that you will find our native gardens to be both beautiful and inspiring throughout the year.
Our Plans also include to have drought tolerant gardens as well as other areas with many native plants. These areas with native plants will provide perfect opportunities to learn about our local plants and to teach sustainability and conservation.
There are so many ways! First and foremost, tell all of your gardening friends about your enthusiasm for a botanical garden in Sacramento. Sacramento is a city of gardeners. The more public support for a garden, the sooner it will come to be.
Do you have experience serving on the board of directors of a nonprofit corporation or have you worked in public relations? We are currently looking to expand our board. We also need people with proven fundraising ability. Contact us at info@SacBo.org. Let us know what you have done in the past, and in what way you would like to help. We would be so very happy to talk with you.
We are in the process of creating the financial infrastructure of our organization by consulting with fundraising specialists with the expectation of hiring a firm to represent us. We expect to achieve our financial goal through a combination of individual donors, corporate donors, and various grants. While the city has not committed to contributing money, it is still not out of the question.
Did you know that individual donors account for 70% of the funds raised by all nonprofits? Don’t feel that your donation won’t make a difference. We have created our “Donate a Latte per Month” program, which allows you to donate $5.00 (or your choice) every month to our capital campaign. It’s a painless way for you to help the garden grow. Just think: If 10,000 people can donate five dollars every month to the capital campaign, this would mount up to $600,000 per year! All by just giving up one cup of coffee every month. Sorry Starbucks!
Your donation goes directly into our operational account. It will be used for startup costs, including architectural renderings, feasibility studies, and increased public awareness of the project. Your donations also will become the seed of our building fund.