By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine
One of California’s finest native plant repositories, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden saw much of its collection go up in flames May 6 in the devastating Jesusita Fire. About 60 of 78 acres were burned, including the canyon, lath houses, all tools except one shovel, and all vehicles but one. (How do you run a garden without trucks or tools?) Firefighters made their stand in SBBG’s iconic wildflower meadow, and that’s where the fire was stopped.
So what happens now? “We just do the massive job of getting back to normal,” says garden VP Nancy Johnson, “and we want people to come.”
Though many trails are closed, there’s still plenty to see: the meadow survived, the redwood grove is singed, but intact, and a new art installation—a 1200-square-foot labyrinth made from redwood poles by Herb Parker (below)—is being installed on schedule, starting just a few days after the blaze. It had been in planning for 18 months. The Arroyo, Discovery Garden, Teahouse, and most of the Manzanita Exhibit also remain open.
During the coming months, you'll have the chance to hear fire ecology talks and walk trails routed to let you watch regeneration first hand. Fire is, after all, a necessary event in many California floral regions, including this one.
During this inferno, not everything went 
wrong. The garden had just completed a million dollar irrigation system, which staff horticulturists were able to keep on until the fire swept over the garden, so plants were well-hydrated up to the last minute. That should help some come back. The library, admin building, herbarium, garden shop and retail nursery were all spared.
The human cost from this fire was high. As Johnson told me, "if you weren't an evacuee yourself, you were housing them." She had several living with her for the duration of the fire.
Sadly, the garden CEO's on-site residence was burned to the ground, even as he directed firefighters to save the garden's seed bank, which they did.
Now it's back to business. You can help with a membership, a contribution, or some volunteer time. But before you do anything, stop by for a visit.
