Humboldt Botanical Garden
The Humboldt Botanical Garden (HBG) business office is located in downtown Eureka and is operated by the nonprofit Humboldt Botanical Garden Foundation which had over 1000 members in 2020. HBG is a member of the American Public Gardens Association, the American Rhododendron Society, and the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission program.
HBG is listed by the California Native Plant Society as one of the 17 California gardens with notable California native plant collections.
The Gardens were first organized in 1991. The area's climate, which straddles Mediterranean and Pacific Marine allows for a diverse group of plants. Its Native Plant Garden has an emphasis on the Humboldt region, but includes plants in the geographic area from the Rogue River to the north shore of San Francisco Bay, and inland to a north–south line running from Vacaville through Williams, Redding, Yreka, Medford, and along the Rogue River to its mouth. Other gardens are: “All Happy Now” earth sculpture, Riparian Area, Greenhouse, the Temperate Woodland Garden and the Ornamental Terrace Garden, Rose Garden, Heather Garden, Pollinator Garden, plus five miles of hiking trails.
The Humboldt Botanical Garden is particularly interested in maintaining complete native conifer, Iris and Lilium occidental (western lily) collections. Its Mission Statement is: To cultivate a garden that provides an enjoyable discovery into the botanical world through education, participation and community service.
A summer music series and an annual native plant sale are held in the gardens. The gardens are available as a special events venue.
Endangered Species Protection
In March 2023, HBG became the northernmost site for safeguarding the state-listed endangered species Vine Hill manzanita (Arctostaphylos densiflora) which is native to Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California.
Another critically endangered species is the Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis), a native of Australia which has been planted at HBG. It was known only from fossils until found near Sydney, Australia in 1994.
Research
Active research in support of conservation, general research, and education is supported. As of 2024, this has included research into Monterey Pines (Pinus radiata), habitats for native pollinators and their flower selection, removal of invasive species, and studying the effects of potential predation on foraging habits of bumblebees.
Research has included collaborations with Wright State University, Academy of the Redwoods Environmental Club, and California Polytechnic University Humboldt.