Rooted in the Garden, Rooted in Community
Watching a Garden Grow
Barbara (Sandy) Scott’s Flowerland Legacy
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden is uniquely positioned in our mild coastal climate to nurture a living showcase of species, many of which would not survive in any other California climate or in most parts of the world. When Sandy first arrived on the coast, it was soon after the Gardens had become the 47-acre non-profit botanical garden it is today. The young landscape had a charming, untamed character — it felt like a grassroots community garden created by passionate plant lovers. She instantly recognized the value of the botanical collections and came looking to learn about what could be planted on her new coastal plot.
“I remember thinking that the grounds felt like a teenager, and I was wondering what it would be like when it grows up,” she says.
Despite its adolescence, Sandy was captivated. It was only a matter of time before she began volunteering and serving on the Board of Directors. Over her eighteen years of board service, she lent her expertise to many facets of the Gardens, from the Finance Committee to the Garden Advisory Committee. She helped the Gardens achieve a higher level of sophistication in every area that she served.
One thing that Sandy quickly noticed was that the people who engaged with the daily rhythms of the land — the workers, the walkers, and the volunteers — held a passion for the space that set it apart as a community hub. The exchange of knowledge and inspiration around plants was buzzing on the daily breeze.
“This garden is real,” says Sandy, “The community keeps us real.”
Thoughtfully, she adds, “It reminds me of something my grandmother said to me often: ‘Be honorable, truthful and kind, all the days of your life’ —I see those values in this community. The landscape here is not only a unique resource for horticulture, but also a gathering place that reflects the honest values of the people it serves.”
Since her first visit, 27 years ago, those juvenile plants that initially caught Sandy’s attention have become majestic conifer specimens and full forests of tender species rhododendrons.
Today, Sandy is still captivated by the unique collections and the honest beauty of the landscape, but her favorite thing is meeting people in the garden.
“I love talking to people about plants and sparking curiosity in visitors as they exclaim over the beauty of the place. I love being a part of a place that is passionate about connecting people to the greater world — beyond their human interactions.”
Sandy’s willingness to feel intimately connected to ecological systems and plant preservation has changed the course of her life, and she has changed the Gardens’ future. Her love for the rhythms and communities of this land led her to decide to leave a portion of her estate to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Because of Sandy’s decision to engage in plant preservation, the air is a bit cleaner, the earth is a bit cooler, people have a bit more inspiration, and the Gardens’ future is more secure.
Roots of Generosity
If you are considering how a planned gift could be part of your estate or financial plans, we would be delighted to start a conversation. Explore the options available and discover how your legacy can help the Gardens thrive for generations to come. By including the Gardens in your plans, you are invited to join the Flowerland Legacy Society—a community dedicated to protecting the natural beauty of the Mendocino Coast and ensuring the Gardens continue to inspire.
Feel free to contact us to explore the options available and discover how your legacy can help the Gardens thrive for generations to come.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about ways to support the Gardens, call us at 707-964-4352 ext 113 or email administration@gardenbythesea.org.