2023 will go down in the history books as an incredible year for California wildflowers. ‘Superblooms’ germinated throughout the state, capturing the attention of the world while flower fanatics traveled far and wide to find the best blooms, guided by social media and articles from major news outlets. The vast displays of floral abundance inspired nature lovers, but also drew attention to the threats that California native plants face. Habitat loss, climate change, invasive species and massive, uncoordinated crowds at well-known wildflower hotspots tempered the beauty with a sense of worry about the future of these fragile ecosystems. We’ll hear about the panelists’ 2023 wildflower experiences, and dig into a complex and passionate conversation that is ongoing: how best to protect and conserve wildflowers in a time of great environmental change.

Featuring Naomi Fraga, PhD, Director of Conservation Programs at the California Botanic Garden and Research Assistant Professor of Botany at Claremont Graduate University; Nick Jensen, PhD, Conservation Program Director for the California Native Plant Society; Evan Meyer, Executive Director at Theodore Payne Foundation; Heather Schneider, PhD, Rare Plant Biologist at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden