SBBG Docents

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is supported by a dedicated and knowledgeable team of Docent Volunteers. The work of the Education Department is largely carried out by these experienced and enthusiastic volunteers who have embraced the vision and mission of the Garden, and are willing to share it with our visitors and community. Docents are represented on our Volunteer Council, and meet to exchange ideas and stories regularly. Some of the unique opportunities for Docents include receiving reduced prices on classes for continuing education, early class registration, and special field trips and lectures. The monthly Sage Remarks Newsletter keeps everyone informed and provides a monthly tour calendar. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is proud of their reputation for providing the most interesting and informative public tours in the area.

The Garden holds a short volunteer Docent training course at the end of the California Naturalist Training.  The additional three classes trains volunteers to lead tours for both children and adults and to present outreach programs in the schools and community. Subjects include California plant communities, local fauna, history and geology of the Mission Canyon area and Native American uses of plants. Trainees are assigned veteran Docents as mentors for shadowing and support. New Docents are expected to lead Botanic Garden tours and/or school outreach programs for a minimum of 5 hours per month for at least two years.

Please contact Judy Sanregret, Director of Education, or phone (805) 682-4726 ext. 111

Download California Naturalists & SBBG Docent Training 2013 Application