News from the Gardens

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens Appoints New Executive Director

From horticulture to community, Jaime Jensen steps into leadership

FORT BRAGG, CA — October 8, 2025 — The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (MCBG) is delighted to announce the appointment of Jaime Jensen as its new Executive Director. Jensen officially assumed the role on October 1, following the retirement of Molly Barker, who guided MCBG with vision and dedication for nine years.

“I am very excited for the future of the Gardens under Jaime’s leadership. She has the good judgment, skills, and experience to guide the Gardens to new accomplishments,” said retiring Executive Director Molly Barker. “Plus, her passion for the Gardens and this community are solidly in place, which I think is important.”

With 15 years of experience in horticulture and a special interest in community building and sustainable agriculture, Jensen brings deep expertise and a passion for connecting people with plants. Since joining MCBG as a horticulturist in 2014 and rising to Director of Horticulture, she has strengthened the Gardens’ aesthetic and built a successful horticulture program that is grounded in organic practices. Jensen is passionate about building community partnerships and creating educational opportunities that engage visitors of all ages.

“The garden ecosystem, and all the organisms and systems that play a role in the gardens, will never cease to amaze me. There is always a different niche to engage with and learn from,” says Jensen.

Beyond her work at MCBG, Jensen has demonstrated a strong commitment to community well-being. As President of Garden Friendly Community Fort Bragg, she helped lead the creation of the South Lincoln Street Community Garden, a model project that expanded access to fresh food through ADA-accessible plots, raised beds, pollinator plantings, fruit trees, and composting systems.

Jensen’s journey reflects a lifelong love of the outdoors and a dedication to building healthy communities. She grew up in Placerville, CA, later moving to Catalina Island, and completing her college days studying art and psychology at UC Santa Cruz. Her early career began in social services, where she developed youth programs focused on substance abuse and violence prevention, often using access to healthy food and outdoor experiences as tools for transformation. Over time, her love of agriculture, plants, and the natural world drew her to Mendocino County, where she found both her professional calling and a community she now considers home. She treasures Mendocino County’s clean air, hiking trails, and the passion of the people who call this coastline home.

“Stepping into this role feels like a natural continuation of my path,” said Jensen. “The Gardens are a living convergence of art, science, and human connection. They offer so many essentials for a healthy life — beauty, peaceful respite, exercise, access to food production, environmental health, and thriving ecosystems. I am grateful for Molly’s mentorship and excited to work with our staff, volunteers, and community to carry the Gardens forward.”

The Gardens will host welcome events for members, partners, and supporters in the coming months to celebrate this leadership transition.

About the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Nestled along the breathtaking Northern California coastline, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is a nationally recognized nonprofit public garden. Our mission is to engage and enrich lives by conserving plants in harmony with our coastal ecosystems while preserving public access to the coast. We are home to diverse plant collections, stunning landscapes, and a passionate community of visitors, volunteers, and members.

We recognize with humility that the land we steward is the land of the Northern Pomo People. As stewards of this land, we pledge to care for it with respect—for those who came before us, those who walk it now, and those yet to come.