Humboldt Botanical Gardens

Humboldt Botanical Garden
Map
TypeBotanical Gardens
Location7707 Tompkins Hill Road, Eureka, California (garden); 402 E Street, Eureka, California (business office)
Nearest cityEureka, California
Area44.5 acres
Elevation100 feet; varying
Established2003
DesignerRon Lutsko
Owned byHumboldt Botanical Garden Foundation
Managed byBenjamin J. Crain, Ph.D. (Garden Operations)
OpenTuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am until 5:00. no entrance after 4:00 pm. Dogs allowed on leash for an additional fee. Gardens may be booked as an events venue.
Camp sitesNo
Hiking trails5 miles of hiking trails
TerrainMediterranean and Pacific Marine hill and dale allows for an arid Native Plant Garden, fern glade, woodlands, etc.
WaterStreams
Collectionsnative conifer, Iris and Lilium occidental (western lily)
ParkingFree parking at the entrance
Other informationMember of the American Public Gardens Association, the American Rhododendron Society, and the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions program
Websitehttps://www.hbgf.org/

The Humboldt Botanical Garden is a 44.5 acres (18 ha) botanical garden located four miles south of Eureka, California, United States.[1][2] The Garden is near the South Bay portion of Humboldt Bay on the north side of the College of the Redwoods. Grading and site preparation began in August 2003. Featuring views of Humboldt Bay and the Pacific Ocean,[3][4] the garden opened in 2006, with more development completed by 2008.

The Humboldt Botanical Garden (HBG) business office is located in downtown Eureka and is operated by the nonprofit Humboldt Botanical Garden Foundation which had over 1000 members in 2020.[1] HBG is a member of the American Public Gardens Association, the American Rhododendron Society, and the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission program.[5][6]

HBG is listed by the California Native Plant Society as one of the 17 California gardens with notable California native plant collections.[7]

One of the wild areas of the gardens, 2013.
Meconopsis betonicifolia similar to that found at HBG in the Temperate Woodland Garden.[8]

The Gardens were first organized in 1991.[1] Originally a farm, the site is a grassy escarpment with meadows and woodland, and a year-round stream.[8] The area's climate, which straddles Mediterranean and Pacific Marine[8] allows for a diverse group of plants.[1] Its Native Plant Garden has an emphasis on the Humboldt region, but includes plants from other geographic areas. Other gardens are: “All Happy Now” earth sculpture, meant to be walked in the way of meditation labyrinths;[8] Riparian Area; Greenhouse; the Temperate Woodland Garden; the Ornamental Terrace Garden;[9] Rose Garden; Heather Garden; Pollinator Garden;[10] Mediterranean Allee and Native Tree garden;[8] plus five miles of hiking trails.[11]

The Humboldt Botanical Garden is particularly interested in maintaining complete native conifer, Iris and Lilium occidental (western lily) collections. Its Mission Statement is: To cultivate a garden that provides an enjoyable discovery into the botanical world through education, participation and community service.[12]

A summer music series and an annual native plant sale are held in the gardens.[13] The gardens are available as a special events venue.[3]

Endangered Species Protection

In March 2023, HBG became the northernmost site for safeguarding the state-listed endangered species Vine Hill manzanita (Arctostaphylos densiflora) which is native to Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California.[14][15][16]

Another critically endangered species is the Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis), a native of Australia which has been planted at HBG.[8] It was known only from fossils until found near Sydney, Australia in 1994.[17]

Humboldt Botanical Garden native plants

Research

Active research in support of conservation, general research, and education is supported.[18] As of 2024, this has included research into Monterey Pines (Pinus radiata), habitats for native pollinators and their flower selection, removal of invasive species, and studying the effects of potential predation on foraging habits of bumblebees.[18]

Research has included collaborations with Wright State University, Academy of the Redwoods Environmental Club, and California Polytechnic University Humboldt.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Goodwin, Mary Lou (2020-08-04). "Volunteers still active at botanical garden". Times Standard (Eureka).
  2. ^ "Humboldt Botanical Garden | American Public Gardens Association". www.publicgardens.org. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  3. ^ a b "Humboldt Botanical Garden". www.visitredwoods.com. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  4. ^ "Activities – Visit Humboldt". visithumboldt.com. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  5. ^ "The Botanical Guardian". The Botanical Guardian. Eureka, California: Humboldt Botanical Garden: 8. Summer 2023.
  6. ^ "AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 2020 RECIPROCAL ADMISSIONS PROGRAM" (PDF). American Horticultural Society. 2020. p. 2. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  7. ^ "California Native Botanic Gardens". California Native Plant Society. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Wilbur, Mary. "Pacific Horticulture | Humboldt Botanical Gardens". Pacific Horticulture. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  9. ^ "Humboldt Botanical Garden". bgci.org. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  10. ^ Shelton, Heather (2022-08-21). "'Gala' benefits Humboldt Botanical Garden". Times-Standard. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  11. ^ "Humboldt Botanical Garden | American Public Gardens Association". www.publicgardens.org. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  12. ^ "HBC Mission Statement". The Botanical Garden. Eureka, California: Humboldt Botanical Garden: 8. Autumn 2023.
  13. ^ Giddings, Evelyn (Summer 2024). "Humboldt Botanical Garden's Summer Music Series; and HBG's Annual Plant Sale". The Botanical Garden: 1, 2.
  14. ^ Moore, Mark (Summer 2023). "Vine Hill Manzanita at the Humboldt Botanical Garden". The Botanical Guardian. Eureka, California: Humboldt Botanical Garden: 6.
  15. ^ Baker, M. S. (2009-08-19). "National Collection of Imperiled Plants". Center for Plant Conservation. Archived from the original on 2009-08-19. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  16. ^ York, R. P. (1987). Elias, T. S. (ed.). California's most endangered plants. In: Conservation and management of rare and endangered plants. Sacramento, California: California Native Plant Society. pp. 109–120.
  17. ^ "Pacific Horticulture | Humboldt Botanical Gardens". Pacific Horticulture. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  18. ^ a b c Crain, Dr., Benjamin J. (Summer 2024). "Research at Humboldt Botanical Garden". The Botanical Garden. Eureka, California: Humboldt Botanical Garden: 5.
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40°41′49.11″N 124°12′0.81″W / 40.6969750°N 124.2002250°W / 40.6969750; -124.2002250