:: Education & Programs ::

Education & Programs

Adult Education Programs

The Garden offers an array of workshops, author events, tours and seminars for the home gardener and horticulture/green industry professional. These programs range from special tours of the Garden to all-day Dry Garden Design Seminars. Find these programs on our Events Page.

Members-Only Education

Summer Dry Short Courses

Short lectures for our Members

Free with a membership at The Ruth Bancroft Garden

Join your fellow Ruth Bancroft Garden Members for short 20 minute lectures led by RBG staff members. Be inspired and motivated by our short lessons and get your questions answered during the Q&A sessions following the talk.

Each lesson will start at 11 a.m. and is limited to 15 members. Lectures will be held outdoors. Please register in advance to hold your spot by calling (925)944-9352 or emailing.

Saturday, May 11, 2013: Soil Basics by Troy McGregor

Saturday, May 25, 2013: Irrigation with Troy McGregor

Saturday, June 8, 2013: Soil Basics by Troy McGregor

Saturday, June 22, 2013: Succulent Care and Maintenance with Brian Kemble

Saturday, July 13, 2013: Irrigation with Troy McGregor

Children's Tours

The Garden offers a two-hour field trip program that meets the California curriculum standards for the third grade but is adapted for students of all ages. Students are divided into small groups and rotate through a series of tours that introduce them to local history, pollination, propagation, and water storage in plants. Other highlights include native uses of plants, water conservation strategies, and plant identification. Each student plants a succulent cutting to take home. Field trips are offered year-round. The cost is $5 per student.

Classrooms of all ages are encouraged to schedule field trips to The Garden. We also offer tours for childrens groups (i.e. Scout groups). Please call the office at (925)944-9352 to make arrangements for your group.

College Internship Program

Garden Intern' The Garden offers internships to college students in the areas of horticulture, garden maintenance, nursery management, scientific illustration, marketing, development and education. Interns will receive hands-on training and experience in the areas of choice. Interns are needed at all times of the year!

We will work with your college or university so you can earn credit for your internship. To find out which internships are currently available, please contact our Education Director, Sophie Damerel. To apply for a specific position, please send her your resume and cover letter or our Internship Application.

With much appreciation, we recognize the Frances Whyte Horticultural Grants Program and the Bonita Garden Club for their support of our internship program. Their support has made it possible to offer real-world education to promising young adults in the areas of horticulture and non-profit education and management.

The Docent Training Program

Our Docent Training program is an opportunity for community members to learn more about drought tolerant gardening and plants, interpretive skills and public speaking, and contribute to The Ruth Bancroft Garden as a docent. Trainees will be learning from renowned local specialists in the fields of succulents, natives, trees, ethno-botany, interpretation, and natural history.

Upon conclusion of the training, docents are certified to lead tours through the garden, and introduce the public to the water conserving plants, geology, and local history. The docents at the Ruth Bancroft Garden play a vital role, interpreting the flora of The Garden to thousands of visitors per year. The benefits of becoming a docent include a free garden membership and ongoing docent enrichment educational opportunities.


Docents Leading Tours in the Garden

The Docent Training program runs November through March. The cost of the docent training is $100. Scholarships are available, students can earn college internship credit for becoming a docent, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

For an application and/or more information email the Education Director, Sophie Damerel.

For our active docents, please visit our Docent Page.This page is password protected. Please contact us with any questions regarding access.

Need a Garden Speaker?

As an internationally renowned garden with a unique plant collection and interesting history, you may consider one of our dynamic speakers for your upcoming event. Whether you are looking for an in-depth study on Aloes, or a general presentation on The Ruth Bancroft Garden and its community offerings, we have someone who can tailor a presentation to fit your event needs.

Please contact us with questions or to schedule an event.

Water Conservation Tips

Learn more here!

Calendar

Members-Only Education

Mission Statement

The mission of the Ruth Bancroft Garden, Inc. is to preserve this exceptional example of garden design and to continue to develop its collection of water-conserving plants for the education and enjoyment of the public.

Grant Funders

The Ruth Bancroft Garden would like to recognize the following grant funders:

The Quest Foundation for funding our Education Coordinator’s position

The Mervyn L. Brenner Foundation and The Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust for funding our directional signs.

The California Horticultural Society for funding towards our restoration projects.

The Bonita Garden Club for funding restoration and education projects.