Nature Challenge
Saturday, April 25
from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
gathering at the MCBG Farmhouse
Nerd out on nature! Join us for a special spring day of guided exploration, observation, and connection with the natural world. A stroll through the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens becomes a rich learning experience when you slow down to notice the intricate systems that sustain life around us. This educational event offers a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of local ecology. Team up with expert guides who will lead discovery groups focused on wildlife, native plants, invasive plants, and more. The goal is to learn more about our natural surroundings and identify as many species as possible.
Whether you are a curious beginner or an experienced naturalist, this experience promises fresh perspectives, hands-on learning, and a closer connection to the vibrant ecosystems that surround us.
What's the Plan?
We will kick the day off with a brief introduction at our base camp — the MCBG Farmhouse and Education Center located in the Vegetable Garden and Historic Corridor. Then we will break out into "discovery groups" for walks led by our expert guides.
10:00 AM – Introduction at the base camp
10:30 AM – Split off into walking groups
12:00 PM – Lunch and discussion
12:45 PM – Special presentation by MCBG Staff
1:00 PM – Optional continued exploration of the Gardens
Bring binoculars, mobile devices, cameras, and your nature journal or sketchpad. This event will happen rain or shine, so dress for being outside in the weather that is expected. It is highly advised to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and clothing that covers your legs. Do not wear shorts, short skirts, sandals, flip-flops, high heels, etc.
Remember to download the iNaturalist app on your smartphone (more details below). Feeling old school? It is not required to be tech-savvy; everyone is welcome to discover our unique biodiversity with their 5 senses.
The Details
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Register to join us – Sign up for a day of exploration. Walks are free with regular admission to the Gardens (purchased upon registration), and just plain free for Members of the Gardens.
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Pre-purchase lunch (available until April 20) – Rhody's Cafe is offering boxed lunches if you would like a delicious and easy meal between walks. As you register, you will have the option to pre-order a Turkey Pesto Sandwich or a Hummus Veggie Sandwich with bottled water and chips ($20.00 each). Of course, you can always bring your own sack lunch and snacks.
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Terrain – Hard-packed gravel trails, potential inclines, some uneven surfaces, and some off-trail walking
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Distance and time – Approximately 1 mile over the course of 1.5 to 2 hours
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Seating options – Seating opportunities will be limited; there are a number of benches along the trails
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Wear your walking shoes and be prepared for the weather with appropriate layers. Consider bringing a water bottle, notebook, and anything else that keeps you comfortable.
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All ages are welcome, provided your child is able to listen quietly and actively participate.
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While we love dogs and they are always welcome in the Gardens, we recommend these guided tours remain a people-only experience.
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Download the iNaturalist app to your phone and create a login. Take some time to familiarize yourself with this tool prior to the Field Day in order to get the most out of the walks and join our Citizen Science Team!
Workshop Registration
These walks are free with regular Gardens admission, which is included in the registration fee. Current MCBG Members can join these walks for free (sign in to activate your discount and save your spot)!
Registration for these walks can be made in advance, either online or at The Garden Store. All fees are non-refundable unless the walk has been canceled or rescheduled by the Gardens. Proceeds support our nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
General Admission Rates
Member of the Gardens — FREE — Join today!
Adult age 18+ — $24.72 ($23.00 price + $1.72 fee)
Senior age 65+ — $19.57 ($18.00 price + $1.57 fee)
Junior age 6–17 — $9.27 ($8.00 price + $1.27 fee)
Children age 5 and younger — FREE
Discounted Admission Rates
Member’s Guest (MCBG Member must be present) — $11.33 ($10.00 price + $1.33 fee)
Local Resident (present proof of Mendocino County residency) — $11.33 ($10.00 price + $1.33 fee)
Military Personnel (present military ID) — $13.39 ($12.00 price + $1.39 service fee)
Museums for All (present EBT or WIC card) — $3.09 ($2.00 price + $1.09 service fee)
AHS Reciprocal Members (present proof of current membership) — FREE
ROAM Reciprocal Members (present proof of current membership) — FREE
If you register at a discounted rate, please be ready to present the requested proof when you check in with our Admissions Staff.
Your participation in our workshops, walks, and events directly fuels our education programs, makes free school field trips possible, and helps people of all ages and backgrounds build meaningful connections with plants and the beauty of the natural world. Thanks from the MCBG Team and all who enjoy this garden by the sea!
Special Guests
Natasha Lekach
While working as an environmental educator at Point Reyes National Seashore, Natasha Lekach began applying her naturalist skills to reintroduce native plants to her garden in Inverness. What started as a minor hobby developed into a minor obsession. She continues to learn from trial and error, but also by taking inspiration from restoration ecologists, other native plant gardeners, and the natural landscapes. Her gardening ethic stems from a curiosity about and desire to steward the natural world - she mostly focuses on planting regionally native species that are adapted to our unique coastal climate, but integrates a few other California species (plus some cut flowers). Natasha was formerly on the Board of the Dorothy King Young Chapter of the California Native Plant Society and was the plant sale chair. She takes great joy in propagating many species through cuttings and ethically collected seeds.
Natasha was born and raised in San Francisco and has a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. She has worked in the natural resource management and environmental education fields for over ten years and currently works as an environmental planner. On the weekends, she is likely found gardening at Caspar Bread and Wine, where she is supporting her friends in developing a (mostly) native plant garden.
About Natasha's Walk
Whether you're a seasoned native plant enthusiast, considering adding some local flora to your garden, or just dipping your toes into gardening, there's always something new to discover and be inspired by. Nature is our ultimate teacher, and simply stepping into natural landscapes can spark a world of creativity. During this walk, we will discuss observation techniques, documentation strategies, and research tools for reading natural landscapes from a gardener's perspective. Additionally, we will take inspiration from some wonderful CA native plant specimens in MCBG. By the end of our stroll, we hope you'll feel more confident in choosing the right native plants for your space and, above all, feel a deeper connection to your garden and the beauty of the landscapes that surround us.
Alison Gardner
Alison Gardner has nurtured a lifelong passion for plants and has called the area home for 56 years. Raised by a mother who was a biology major, she grew up immersed in nature, learning to recognize local plants and animals. Alison has studied extensively under Teresa Sholars in both plant and mushroom classes and has conducted botanical surveys for use permits since the 1980s. Notably, she was the first to identify the rare Pt. Reyes Blennosperma at Glass Beach Headlands, a plant found only in Fort Bragg and Point Reyes.
About Alison's Walk
Alison will guide participants through the headlands at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, highlighting native and invasive plants, and perhaps even pointing out some lichens along the way.
Robert B. Douglas
Robert Douglas is a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) working as the State Forest Biologist for Jackson Demonstration State Forest since 2021. Robert has a B.S. degree in Environmental Biology from Humboldt State University (1997) and an M.A. degree in Ecology and Systematics from San Francisco State University (2003). Prior to state service, Robert worked as a biologist to improve the conservation and management of non-timber forest resources on industrial timberlands in Mendocino County.
The focus of his current program is to support research projects and provide recommendations for the conservation and management of non-timber forest resources (i.e. fungi, plants, fish, herpetofauna, birds, mammals, and other wildlife) associated with disturbance activities that occur on the state forest (e.g., timber harvesting, fire and fuels management, recreation, restoration, and research).
About Robert's walk
Robert will be leading a walk at the Botanical Gardens to search for terrestrial salamanders and other organisms. He will also be discussing their natural history, as well as important habitat elements that support their life history, that should be considered in their conservation on managed landscapes.
Harness the power
iNaturalist helps you identify the plants and animals around you while generating data for science and conservation. Get connected with a community of millions of scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature!
Join our "Citizen Science Team" by contributing to the MCBG Nature Challenge 2026 iNaturalist project.
Whether you're new to citizen science or looking to sharpen your skills, there's something for everyone. Discover the incredible variety of plants, animals, insects, and more already observed at MCBG—and add your own discoveries to the growing collection!
Contact us
If you have any questions about our Education Program or classes, call us at 707-964-4352 ext 113 or email education@gardenbythesea.org. Please contact administration@gardenbythesea.org with any accessibility questions.
