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CC SR 20220419 02 - South Coast Botanic Garden CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 04/19/2022 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business AGENDA TITLE: Consideration and possible action to receive a presentation from the South Coast Botanic Garden. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Receive and file a presentation from the South Coast Botanic Garden. FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: N/A Additional Appropriation: N/A Account Number(s): N/A ORIGINATED BY: Megan Barnes, Senior Administrative Analyst REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager ATTACHMENTS: None BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: The South Coast Botanic Garden (SCBG) is a sprawling, 87-acre botanical garden located along Crenshaw Boulevard on the site of a former diatomaceous earth mine and sanitary landfill in an unincorporated area of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Owned by the County of Los Angeles, SCBG today boasts over 200,000 plants and 2,000 species of plants from around the world. Specialty gardens include the Japanese Garden, Fuchsia Garden, Children’s Garden, and the 2-acre formal James J. White Rose Garden. A manmade lake at the center of the garden attracts several species of waterfowl. The garden is an oasis for over 200 species of birds that make their homes at the garden or just use the garden as a stop in their annual migration. SCBG’s mission is “to serve the community by providing a unique horticultural and wildlife habitat experience, and to represent a model of excellence for land reclamation and sustainability. The South Coast Botanic Garden delivers education, programs and events 1 offering layered experiences of surprise, adventure, beauty and serenity through color, texture, sound and light.” SCBG hosts at least 12 flower shows annually for its members and the public, as well as lectures, classes, concerts, and weddings seven days a week. SCBG also puts on popular events throughout the year such as its GLOW display illuminating the garden with thousands of colorful lights, and its SOAR tropical butterflies exhibit. SCBG is supported by the SCBG Foundation, which operates the Visitor Services Center, managing educational programs, overseeing venue rentals and special events , and coordinating on-site filming. Recently, the Foundation hired a new Manager of Community Relations, Stephanie Yinger. Tonight, Ms. Yinger will introduce herself to the City Council and provide a brief presentation about the latest happenings at SCBG. If a PowerPoint is obtained in advance of the meeting, it will be provided to the City Council as late correspondence. 2