Buellton Botanic Garden becoming a reality
The clouds embraced Buellton's rolling hills on Saturday as nature-lovers assembled near Riverview Park to celebrate breaking ground at the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden. For the past four years, a devoted group of Valley locals has been rallying support and securing funding for the project. The mood was giddy as the crowd socialized and surveyed the 2 acre site, imagining what it will look like when it's completed.
The idea of creating a Botanic Garden dedicated to the riparian ecosystems of the Santa Ynez Valley started when River View Park was still a concept on Arcadia Studio's drawing boards. The site was home to the willow flycatcher, a small songbird that has been on the endangered species list since 1995. Land had to be set aside adjacent to the park to provide habitat for the displaced bird.
That's when Puck Erickson Lohnas, one of the founders of Arcadia Studio and a longtime Valley resident, saw an opportunity to educate the public and increase awareness of her bioregion's native habitat. A committee was formed who then cajoled friends and family into donating time and money, and created a concept that garnered widespread support. A local environmental group, WEWATCH, help provide initial support to ensure the project could move ahead.
The team took on a number of challenges along the way, including initial skepticism from the City Council. In the end, however, Buellton donated the land for the garden, as well as seed money, and individual donors bought trees, which will be planted in time for Arbor Day.
"It hasn't been an easy path." said Mayor Hicks, as he sunk his golden shovel into the earth.
The Botanic Garden needs volunteers to help plant trees this spring, and of course, always needs donations. For more information contact Kyle Abello Buellton Recreation Coordinator.