Letter from our CEO & Board Chair

Building on the momentum of 2023, our Garden continued to grow while remaining a beautiful place of respite, learning, and wonder. A dynamic lineup of new exhibitions alongside seasonal favorites like World of Orchids and the return of our dazzling Lightscape winter event, attracted thousands of visitors throughout the year. Adding to the excitement, two rare and spectacular corpse flower blooms from our permanent collection captivated audiences both on-site and online.

Our educational programs continued to spark curiosity and foster meaningful connections with nature for people of all ages and backgrounds. We also saw significant advancements in our science, conservation, and horticulture programs, strengthening partnerships with research institutions, nonprofits, and tribal governments across the country. 

As we look ahead to 2025, our dedication remains strong. This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate our 55th anniversary. We’re excited to share a year filled with special events and activities to mark this milestone. Most importantly, this is our chance to express our deep gratitude to you — our supporters — who have helped us grow. Thanks to your generosity and support, the Garden is flourishing with endless possibilities.

 

 

Exhibitions & Events

New exhibitions alongside seasonal favorites like World of Orchids and the return of our dazzling Lightscape winter event, attracted thousands of visitors throughout the year. Highlights include:

  • World of Orchids: 7,710 attendees
  • Bamboo: Beautiful Massive Grasses: 5,996 attendees
  • Lightscape: 101,505 attendees

Science, Conservation, & Collections

The Science & Conservation team continued to make significant progress in plant research, conservation, and habitat restoration, growing to more than 30 active projects with local and global impacts. This year, we expanded community-based restoration efforts, contributed to the protection of rare and unique species in regional habitats, and developed a robust medicinal plants program in collaboration with a consortium of local and regional partners, including Native American and other Indigenous communities, to explore the medicinal potential of plant collections.

 Additional highlights include:

  • 231 new taxa and cultivars to our collection
  • 142 days in the field
  • 73 rare plant occurrences surveyed in the wild
  • 45+ native plant species conserved in San Diego
  • 34 active Science & Conservation projects with regional and global impacts

Education

The Garden expanded its educational impact, offering engaging programs that inspired curiosity and connection with nature. Over 1,500 adults participated in hands-on classes and wellness workshops, from succulent arranging to yoga and sound healing.

Our SAPLinGS program reached more than 14,000 children, while offsite activities—including restoration plantings and community events—brought learning opportunities to audiences beyond our 37 acres.

Highlights include:

  • 14,298 participants for SAPLinGS children’s programming 
  • 2,442 students engaged in onsite and offsite programs
  • 1,551 total participants in adult classes and programs
  • 40% of schools served were Title 1 schools