Santa Barbara Botanic Garden invites the community to explore the world of seeds at its 12th Annual Conservation Symposium, Seeds of Change: Conservation Through Diversity, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
The interactive symposium, which targets the role seeds play in restoring ecosystems, conserving endangered plants, and combating climate change, will be held at the Santa Barbara County Education Auditorium and live-streamed online.
Through presentations led by experts; interesting discussions; and opportunities to chat with conservation leaders, participants will discover how diverse, regionally adapted seed collections are key to creating resilient, thriving ecosystems.
This year’s symposium is presented by the Nakashima-Rennie Family and sponsored by S&S Seeds.
“Seeds are vessels of hope and resilience,” said Denise Knapp, director of Conservation and Research at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “By collecting, producing, and safeguarding a rich diversity of seeds, we can secure a future where habitats recover, species endure, and ecosystems flourish.”
Registration for “Seeds of Change: Conservation Through Diversity” is required for both in person and online attendance. Admission is $40 for the public, and $15 for Botanic Garden members and students.
A catered lunch is included for in-person attendees. Virtual attendance is free, but registration is required. Register atSBBotanicGarden.org/symposium-2025.
The symposium will also celebrate Peggy Olwell, the National Plant Conservation and Restoration Program lead for the Bureau of Land Management, as the recipient of the 2025 John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Award.
With some 40 years of leadership in native plant conservation and restoration, Olwell’s keynote address will share the story of her journey to conserve native plant diversity and preserve seed for habitat restoration across the nation.
“Peggy Olwell’s legacy reminds us that meaningful change is seeded in visionary leadership,” said Knapp. “Her work has laid the foundation for a nationwide movement towards seed-based native plant restoration.”
Other featured speakers are:
- Naomi S. Fraga, director of Conservation Programs, California Botanic Garden, highlighting the importance of collaborations for regional seed initiatives.
- Heather Schneider, senior Rare Plant Conservation scientist, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, discussing the garden’s and its partners’ efforts to protect California’s rare plants via seed banking.
- Amy Vandergast, supervisory research geneticist, U.S. Geological Survey, exploring how local genetics informs our biodiversity conservation strategies.
- Antonio Sanchez, nursery manager, Santa Monica Mountains Fund, sharing the importance of indigenous knowledge and the need for a larger native seed supply.
- Tom Kaye, chief scientist, Institute for Applied Ecology, celebrating the partnerships that are working to bridge the seed supply gap.
- Genevieve Arnold, Seed and Conservation manager, Theodore Payne Foundation, highlighting how everyone can get involved to help achieve our regional restoration goals.
Symposium visitors can also explore Seeds: A Living Dream, an art and science exhibit at the garden’s Pritzlaff Conservation Center Gallery.
Featuring large-scale ceramic seed sculptures by artist Rosie Brand, and detailed paintings by La Colina Junior High School students, the exhibit celebrates the beauty and importance of seeds in a unique way. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through April 6, the display is free to view with admissin to the Botanic Garden.
To learn more and make a reservation, visit SBBotanicGarden.org/classes-events/seed-a-living-dream/.
“This exhibit is a testament to the awe-inspiring world of seeds,” said Kevin Spracher, the garden’s Interpretation and gallery curator. “Through art and science, we’re inviting visitors to see seeds not just as vital tools for conservation but as symbols of life’s creativity and potential.”