Ganna Walska Lotusland, known for its world-class plant collections and leadership in sustainable horticulture, has completed the first phase of targeted fire mitigation and water sustainability improvements along the southern boundary of the garden.

The work marks the start of a visionary project several years in the making, the garden said. Planning for the new water system involved close collaboration among engineers, public agencies, landscape architects, and horticultural experts to ensure a thoughtful and responsible approach to the long-term care of the garden.

“This important work reflects years of thoughtful planning, and our deep commitment to stewarding both Lotusland’s and community water resources,” said Rebecca Anderson, CEO, Ganna Walska Lotusland.

Neighbors were informed of the project and have received regular updates throughout the planning process, the garden said. All elements of the project, including the initial tree removal and the replacement plantings to follow, have been approved through the county permitting process.

The underground reservoir system, designed by Flowers and Associates, Inc., civil engineers, and Arcadia Studio, landscape architects, will capture and reuse rainwater for irrigation.

“By reducing reliance on well water and ensuring a stable supply during dry months and drought cycles, the project supports Lotusland’s long-standing commitment to sustainable garden management,” the garden said.

To prepare the site, Lotusland removed 30 large and small eucalyptus trees along the southern end of the property inside the pink wall, parallel to Sycamore Canyon Road.

Fire mitigation in this corridor is part of Lotusland’s ongoing landscape management program, which includes regular pruning and hazard-reduction work throughout the garden.

“The removal aligned with this program and supported preparation for the new water system, reflecting Lotusland’s commitment to visitor safety and responsible stewardship,” Lotusland said.

Eucalyptus trees in this area had increasingly posed challenges because of their height, age, and natural shedding of bark, leaf litter, and deadwood.

During the severe storms last winter, Lotusland lost 10 trees across the property, several of which required emergency response and temporary pathway closures to protect visitors from falling debris or unstable canopies.

In recent months, additional tree failures in the wider Montecito neighborhood have resulted in property damage, underscoring broader regional concerns about aging trees and public safety.

“This work represents a responsible response to these conditions while caring for the long-term health of the landscape,” Lotusland said.

Lotusland will renew perimeter plantings with young trees already approved by Santa Barbara County to reestablish a sense of canopy and enclosure over time.

As part of its conservation work, Lotusland is expanding its oak conservation collection with locally adapted native seedlings added through regional partnerships. Several California oak species are considered endangered or threatened in their native habitats, so the effort emphasizes Lotusland’s role in safeguarding at-risk species.

The work also advances global conservation initiatives through collaborations with Botanic Gardens Conservation International and the Global Conservation Consortium for Oak.

Additional native plantings along the perimeter will reinforce pollinator habitat, create new homes for beneficial insects supported by Lotusland’s hedgerows, and connect with expanded insectary corridors.

Once construction of the water system is completed in spring 2026, Lotusland will restore and repaint the historic pink wall in its original color. Landscape restoration maintain the familiar character of the corridor will extend into the summer months.

“Strengthening our water supply by recycling runoff, enhancing fire preparedness, and renewing the perimeter landscape with the biodiversity of trees and native habitat plants protects wildlife and enriches the ecosystem,” Anderson said.

“We remain dedicated to preserving the unique beauty and character that make this property so special,” she said.

“Over the past several years, we have seen firsthand how increasingly severe storms have affected the trees on the property,” said Geoff Crane, Lotusland trustee and member of the buildings and grounds committee.

“Addressing known hazards, improving water resilience, and renewing aging areas of the landscape are necessary steps to ensure the garden remains safe and well cared for. This work reflects responsible stewardship and a thoughtful response to changing conditions,” Crane said.

Ganna Walska Lotusland is a 37-acre nonprofit botanical garden in Montecito known for its imaginative design, rare plant collections, and pioneering commitment to sustainable horticulture.

Created by Madame Ganna Walska, Lotusland stewards one of the most diverse living collections in the region, including many species that are threatened in their natural habitats. For more, visit lotusland.org.