We invite you—our citizen scientists and nature lovers—to explore and help document our unique biodiversity. Team up with expert guides who will lead discovery groups focused on wildlife, cultivated plants, native plants, and more. The goal is to learn more about our natural surroundings and identify as many species as possible. Join us in a celebration and scientific survey of the plants and animals living at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Bring the whole family (fun for all ages) for a day of discovery!

We will kick the day off with a brief introduction at our base camp — the newly remodeled Education Center located in the Vegetable Garden and historic corridor. Then we will break out into "discovery groups" for walks lead by our expert guides. Discovery groups will branch out into three areas of the Gardens (Cultivated, Forested, and Coastal Zones). Each group will attempt to observe and identify as many species of plants and animals as they can in their area.
 

10:00AM – Introduction at the base camp
10:30AM – First set of walks begin 
12:00PM – Second set of walks begin 
1:30PM – Wrap-up and tally observations at the base camp

MCBG Staff — Our gardeners have an intimate knowledge of the biodiversity found within our 47-acre garden by the sea and expertise in our cultivated plant collections (focusing on spring bloomers such as rhododendrons, camellias, and perennials) native plants, birds, bugs, and other gems.

California Native Plant Society – Dorothy King Young Chapter

Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center

Mendocino Area Parks Association (MAPA)

Mendocino Coast Audubon Society

Mario Abreu – Naturalist, Mycologist, and native plants expert

Alison Gardiner – Botanical Consultant

Frederique Lavoipierre – Entomologist and Biologist

Steven Sharnoff – Lichenologist

Asa Spade – Senior Biologist at Wynn Coastal Planning and Biology

Suzie Woolhouse – Biologist at Wynn Coastal Planning and Biology