Letter From Our CEO & Board Chair

On behalf of the entire team at San Diego Botanic Garden, we are thrilled to present our 2023 Annual Report, which demonstrates our unwavering commitment and enthusiasm for our natural world. This past year saw continued growth in visitation, educational programming, and conservation efforts. World-class exhibitions included the return of our beloved World of Orchids showcase, along with compelling new additions like Savage Gardens, and the blooming of a fabulously rare and potent corpse plant. Our dazzling winter showcase, Lightscape, was reimagined for its second year, far surpassing attendance goals and allowing visitors to experience the magic of the Garden in a whole new light. Our outstanding educational offerings inspired curiosity for people of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging authentic and lasting connections with nature. 

We are incredibly proud to see significant growth in our Science, Conservation and Horticulture programs. Community partnerships with leading research institutions, non-profits, and tribal governments have been strengthened through initiatives such as our Medicinal Plants Project, and we continue to contribute to plant conservation efforts on local and global scales. We are also thrilled to have added more than 1,000 linear feet of ADA pathways showcasing spectacular garden and ocean views that ensure our Garden remains an inclusive and accessible place for all. 

These achievements would not have been possible without the steadfast dedication of our staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters like you. Your passion for plants, education, and conservation fuels our mission and inspires us to reach new heights each year.

With gratitude,

 

Download Annual Report PDF

Exhibitions & Events

World class annual exhibitions, seasonal celebrations and a reimagined winter light experience lit up the Garden in 2023. Highlights include: 

  • World of Orchids – 18,592 attendees
  • Savage Gardens – 12,030 attendees
  • Lightscape – 119,976 attendees

Science, Conservation, & Collections

Our Science & Conservation team continued to make strides at the Garden and further afield in 2023, as we actively work to address local and global challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, malnutrition, and environmental degradation. Highlights include: 

  • 600 newly acquired medicinal plant taxa added to the Garden’s living collection
  • 172 new taxa and cultivars never planted or recorded at SDBG
  • 132 days in the field
  • 105 rare plant occurrences surveyed in the wild
  • 34 active Science & Conservation projects with regional and global impacts

Education

The SDBG Education team continued to focus on expanding educational programming for visitors of all ages; offering immersive outdoor experiences to foster curiosity in plants & nature, and to help create authentic connections to the natural world. Important partnerships with local nonprofits and schools ensured that our Garden is accessible to all. Our roster of adult programs attracted more than 1,000 participants with a range of educational and wellness offerings. Highlights include:

  • 15,271 participants in SAPLinGS children’s programming 
  • 2,054 students engaged in onsite and offsite programs
  • 1,499 total participants in Access Afternoons and Budburst programs
  • 1,132 participants in adult classes/programs