Native Plant Gardens

The club sponsors a native plant garden in the Kupanda Falls Botanical Gardens area at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido, California. The California Nativescapes Botanical Garden is the Club's main external project. At the request of the Park's Horticulture Department, the LHNPC agreed to plan, plant, and maintain the garden. The Club has been maintaining the garden since 1991, when it was opened to the public on earth day.

Club members are responsible for planting, watering, weeding, and trail construction etc. The Wild Animal Park has assisted by providing shade shelters, drinking fountains and educational signs. The LHNPC does the extensive record-keeping required for a Botanical Garden.

Tours

A free guided walking tour of the Nativescapes Garden (Map) is offered the second Saturday of April and May at 10 a.m. The tour begins at the Nativescapes Garden entrance, which is along the trail beyond the Baja Garden. Please allow about 30 minutes to walk from the Park's entrance. Specialists are on hand to give insights into the intricacies of the plant communities and the ways that plants adapt to their special environments.

Club volunteers work there on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. After the work, there is a brown bag lunch in the Klaas ramada and a group discussion of garden issues. Volunteers are encouraged to join either the Wednesday or Saturday morning groups, or both.