Environmental News

A curated set of environmental news stories brought to you by the Gottlieb Native Garden team.

Milkweeds, Monarchs, & Moms

SUNDAY, MAY 10TH – Free admission to California Botanical Garden in Claremont for moms!

Strolling A Bloomin’ Beautiful Botanic Garden – Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Established in 1926, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in California. Nestled in the hills above Santa Barbara with astounding views on a clear day of the Channel Islands, this 78-acre garden features California native plants and has a conservation program with the goal that “no native plant goes extinct.”

Native vs. Non-Native Plants

What exactly are the merits of native compared to non-native plants, and how do gardeners make the best choice about what to grow in a home garden?

Grow for it! Gardening with California native plants

Spring is a good time to evaluate your landscape and consider changes to decrease water use in 2026. A good starting point is to incorporate a California native plant or two into the garden. Many native plants can survive with minimal supplemental water once they are established.

A TOAST TO THE TREES OF PETERS CANYON

Wildflowers are wonderful, but this spring, I want to propose a toast to trees

Yerba Madre Commits $100,000 to America’s National Parks and Calls on Congress to Pass the America the Beautiful Act

As federal funding for parks faces an uncertain future, Yerba Madre launches its largest Earth Month activation yet: 500,000 free cans, 50,000 native trees, and a call to action for park advocates nationwide

Microforests Are Taking Root Across the Country, Making Urban Spaces Better for Birds and People

In pockets as small as a few parking lots, miniature forests can help cool cities, quiet streets, and give birds a place to land.

California Forever project could threaten sensitive Solano County habitat, environmentalists say

The project could affect endangered species like fairy shrimp, tadpole shrimp, and the California tiger salamander.

Threat of California’s native tree loss is greater than current estimates

New study finds that many of the state’s valuable and most recognizable trees could decline sooner than expected because current risk calculations don’t incorporate climate change

How a seabird native to Hawaii has adapted to life in Honolulu’s concrete jungle

They’re defying the fate of many other native birds in Hawaii, where disease and predators that aren’t native to the islands have caused indigenous bird numbers to collapse.