2021-09-05 Scot Pipkin on Planting for Birds - Create a habitat at home
Channel: South Coast CNPS
Date: 2021-10-05

For many of us, gardens are more than places to grow food or pretty flowers. If we want to create rich, diverse, and resilient habitats in our yards and communities, we have to start with the appropriate native plants. They provide an opportunity to attract a variety of local wildlife and cultivate healthy natural systems. One of the best indicators of a successful habitat garden is the bird life it attracts. In this talk, we will look at the important role native plants play in providing our local birds with the food, shelter, and nesting materials necessary for survival. We will also examine how the use of native plants and fundamental design principles can contribute to a sense of sanctuary and well-being for the people in our garden spaces. Taking a deep dive into the major food groups birds need (fruits, seeds, insects, and nectar), Scot will talk about native California species that are readily available and will be sure to enhance the habitat quality of your garden.

Scot Pipkin is Director of Education and Engagement at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and was born and raised in San Diego, California. After attending UCLA and receiving a degree in Geography with an emphasis in biogeography, he has spent his career acquiring and sharing an understanding of the natural world that emphasizes the interconnections that surround us. This work has allowed him to work in some of the most beautiful and ecologically rich places in the Southwest, including Yosemite, the redwoods of the San Mateo Coast, Tejon Ranch, Saguaro National Park in Arizona, and the Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico. Along the way, he received a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Arizona and spent countless hours identifying plants/birds/butterflies and anything else he encounters outdoors