March 10TH | Lecture: “Attracting Pollinators to the California Native Landscape; An Introduction to Pollination Ecology” with Richard Merrill

invitation to Attracting Pollinators to the California Native Landscape lecture at the CA Nature Art Museum given by Richard Merrill that includes a photograph of Richard Merrill

Lecture: “Attracting Pollinators to the California Native Landscape; An Introduction to Pollination Ecology” with Richard Merrill

SUN. MARCH 10TH, 2024 / 3:00 PM– 4:30 PM

At the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum) | Second Floor Valley Oak Gallery

While the topic of pollination in Santa Barbara County is both engrossing and essential, few are familiar with the actual processes of the phenomenon and the major pollinators behind it: bees, of course, but also hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and beneficial insects.

Richard Merrill received his Masters Degree in Population Biology from UCLA, and investigated the biodynamics of ecosystems in a PhD program at UCSB. During his time at UCSB, Merrill’s imagination was captured by the idea to design landscapes that would attract, nurture, and provide shelter for local wildlife - pollinators and beneficial insects, in particular. He then founded and became Chairman of the Dept. of Environmental Horticulture at Cabrillo Community College, and has worked on this project for over 40 years now. Currently, Merrill serves as a volunteer consultant to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and runs a small horticultural consulting business.

Image of Richard Merrill at his desk

Join us for an inspirational and educational lecture with Richard Merrill at the California Nature Art Museum (formerly the Wildling Museum) in the First Floor Wildling Gallery.

Attendees will learn how the different colors, shapes, and sizes of flowers attract their specific pollinators, enjoy a presentation of garden-worthy California native plants that are especially effective at attracting pollinators, and discover the importance of home gardens in establishing local “islands” of native biodiversity. Guests will leave with the tools necessary to create or enhance their own native pollination landscapes!


Tickets are $5 for members, and $10 for non-members.

Tickets can be purchased here:

Past Programs/EventsRuben MislangCalifornia Nature Art MusuemLecture, Richard Merrill