HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplications_SLO Botancical Garden ApplicationDiversity, Equity and Inclusion
2022-2023 GRANT FUNDING FOR HIGH IMPACT DE&I PROJECTS
Pl e ase provi de al l re que ste d i nformati on be f ore submi tti ng your appl i cati on. Please be as spe cific as possible !
I f accommoda on or assistance is n eed ed in co mple ng this A pplica on, or if a paper ve rsion is prefe rre d, ple ase
contact (805) 781-7100 or D EI@slocity.org
Organization Name :*
Y e ar Establishe d:*
Fiscal Age nt, if diffe re nt than abov e :*
Tax ID #:*
Docume nt Ce rtifying Fe de ral Tax-Exe mpt status, if applicable
Name of Exe cutiv e Dire ctor (or highe st le ade rship position)
Approximate Annual Budge t:
M ajor Source s of Funding:
M ission State me nt:
Numbe r of paid staff (full- or part-time ):
Numbe r of v olunte e rs:
Name of Board Pre side nt or Chair:
Organizational Le ade rship Chart *
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:
PART 1: APPLICANT INFORMATION
Friends of San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
1989
NA
770248682
501 c 3 letter.pdf 26.34KB
Chenda Lor
722,000
Programs, donations, memberships, fundraising events, admissions, grants, rentals, gift shop, and plant
sales
Our mission is to honor and preserve our connection with nature.
11
500
Dr. Nisha Abdul-Cader
SLOBG Corporate Structure 8-30-22.pptx 50.27KB
Ruta Saliklis
Organization M ailing Addre ss:*
Phone :*
E-mail:*
Brie fly de scribe your organization’s mission, primary activ itie s, and ope rating structure s.
De scribe the community(ie s) your organization supports.
Name of DE&I Proje ct *
Est. numbe r of pe ople se rv e d through this proje ct:*
Est. numbe r of SLO CITY RESIDENTS se rv e d through this proje ct *
City
San Luis Obispo
State / Province / Region
CA
Postal / Zip Code
93405
Country
USA
Street Address
3450 Dairy Creek Road
Address Line 2
8055411400
ruta@slobg.org
SLOBG is a unique and large community-based botanical garden. The gardens provide science,
horticulture, children's activities, art, culture, history, recreational and educational programs for all ages
and abilities. The Garden's mission is to honor and preserve our connection with nature. Since the onset
of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Garden has been a safe and nurturing environment for all visitors. The
Garden is open from sunrise until sunset everyday. We have been providing free visitor passes to
organizations and individuals in the City of San Luis Obispo to make it possible for residents with economic
disadvantages to visit the Garden. We host a Family Free Day each month, offer free admission to
children 12 years old and under, and offer student, military, and elderly discounts. We have also partnered
with the SLO library to provide a visitor pass that can be checked out from the library.
The SLOBG is mainly a volunteer run organization with a board of directors, hundreds of volunteers that
serve on almost 20 committees and support daily operations and maintenance of the 150 acres. 7 full time
paid staff of directors and coordinators and 4 part time help support the volunteers, business
administration, maintenance, and daily operations of the gift shop and welcome center.
Please be specif ic in the population and geographic area.
We are the only botanical garden, which is an educational facility/plant library, within 100 miles and have
an extensive community support system through our family of over 500 volunteers that served over 14,000
hours last year. The SLOBG also maintains partnerships with over 30 government agencies, nonprofit
organizations, educational institutions and community service organizations in SLO and surrounding towns
and counties. We have solid relationships with the local school districts, community college and California
State University “Cal Poly” where students are encouraged to visit our site through tours and events
organized through the school as well as with their friends and families. We work with other organizations,
such as Transitions Mental Health, One Cool Earth, Outside Now, SLO County Fire Safe Council, Lumina
Alliance, Adaptive Sports, the Alzheimers Association. A 2022 grant from SLO County's First Five Thrive is
funding an Early Childhood Education Director position at the Garden. Because of this grant, we are
working closely with Parents Helping Parents and other organizations that serve the needs of families with
young children. Achievement House helps us keep our Education Center patios clean each week as we
are partners providing volunteer and work force training. The California Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps,
Cuesta College's College Corps, and the Grizzly Academy also partners that benefit from our project
opportunities to learn trail building, administrative, construction, and other skills. We are also a partner site
for the local Senior Volunteer Services providing meaningful work opportunities.
PART 2: PROJECT INFORMATION
Enabling Garden at the SLO Botanical Garden
40000
Total Proje ct Cost:*
AM OUNT OF CITY FUNDING REQUESTED:*
De scribe your propose d proje ct or program.
De scribe the community the proje ct will support.
De scribe the e quity gaps and community ne e ds this proje ct will addre ss.
In the table below briefly list 2-3 methods of evaluation and indicators of success or
measurable outcomes.
M e thods of Ev aluation Indicators of Succe ss / M e asurable Outcome s
20000
164,416
28,000
Specify w hat the requested f unds w ill be used f or, the need for this project, the number of people impacted. Include a project plan, if available.
We have received input from accessibility experts and visitors with mobility issues regarding their needs for
better guest experiences. In order to provide universal access for all Garden visitors and to plant more
plants along existing trails, the SLOBG requests $30,000 for the resurfacing and expansion of the existing
1.5 mile Discovery Trail and the main trail from the Display Garden through the Children's Garden. The
improved trails will be finished with compacted decomposed granite and designed to be universally
accessible. The six-foot wide paths will allow two sets of wheels, strollers and wheelchairs to pass, with little
grade change for people of all abilities to meander and connect with nature. The widened trails will allow
better access for our maintenance vehicles to allow for additional plantings, dramatically increasing our
plant collections for the public. Improved trails will allow the public more space to better view accessioned
plantings and allow tour groups to flow through areas inaccessible to them currently. The trails will include
extensive educational, wayfinding, interpretive, and information signs to include an application customized
for sight-impaired visitors. This grant from the City of San Luis Obispo will allow more people to access
existing areas of the garden and expand our horticultural collections for education, recreation, and
research functions. A vertical succulent wall, raised flower planters, handicapped-accessible picnic tables,
and a hands-on planting table at the appropriate height for guests in wheelchairs will greatly enhance
Garden experiences for underserved audiences. The grantor will be acknowledged on the SLOBG
website, in our newsletters, and on didactic panels near each trail.
Specify the population, location of services provided, and any other identif iers your proposed project w ill support.
Increased accessibility in the Garden will benefit all visitors, particularly those with mobility issues and other
disabilities. The Garden has been approached by organizations, such as the Go See Foundation, because
they want to participate in existing educational programs, such as our monthly bird and botany walks, but
they are currently unable to because of the rough condition of garden trails and the lack of signage for
sight-impaired visitors. We are also working with the ytt Northern Chumash Tribe to create an area of the
Garden devoted to the twenty-five most important plants to the Chumash, who lived on the current site of
the Garden. Allowing the Chumash to harvest plants used for weaving and dyeing
The Garden is addressing equity gaps community members with physical and mental disabilities face when
visiting the Garden. Signage in English, Spanish and the ytt Northern Chumash Dialect is bridging the
equity gaps with visitors who identify as Hispanic or Chumash. Creating a land acknowledgement honoring
the Chumash who lived on this site addresses the need to emphasize the historical and cultural
contributions of the Chumash in this area. Raised beds allow people in wheelchairs and otherwise
physically unable to bend over to access dirt and plants they would otherwise struggle to touch. Also,
accommodating easier access by all wheels and walkers on more even and solid ground. The sight
impaired can use the Navilens ap to access narrative and larger type via their devices to access the
information.
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
# of disabled persons visiting daily counted via
surveys at admissions in the gift shop
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
15% increase monthly
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
# of participants accessing Navilens application
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
More than 1000 visitors to the application
In the chart below, identify any partnerships/collaborations that are supporting this
project, and their roles.
Name of Partne r Activ ity/Se rv ice The y Prov ide for This Proje ct
Prov ide the time line for this propose d proje ct.
De scribe your plan for sustainability be yond the City’s one -ye ar award funding, if applicable .
Using the table below, please provide a broadly-itemized budget for your project,
including the source of any matching funds.
Ite m De scription *Total Cost *Amount Prov ide d by
City Funds *
Amount of Othe r
Funds and Source of
Funding *
1
Example : # of BIPOC serving on public boards, committees
# seniors (over 55 years old) visitors counted at
admissions
Example: 10% increase by end of 2021
10% increase by end of 2023
Example: ABC Business
Madrone Landscapes
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Master Plan of Children's Garden
Example: ABC Business
Cal Poly Architectural Engineering and
Construction Management
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Students are building picnic tables, planters, and
rudimentary shade structures
Example: ABC Business
San Luis Obispo Library
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Provide free membership passes for patrons to
check out
Example: ABC Business
Grizzly Academy
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Trail improvements
Example: ABC Business
Cuesta College College Corps
Example: Free Use of Space f or Weekend Classes
Providing intern to help with design and install of
interpretive signs and installation.
Beginning in January 2023, the Garden will widen, smooth, and resurface the main trails throughout the
Garden with compressed decomposed granite. Some portions of trail will be edged with T-post and rope.
They have been designed to make it easier for guests with mobility and vision issues to navigate and learn
about the Garden. By March 2023, we will install the new raised beds at the height appropriate for adults
and children in wheelchairs. By May 2023, we will have the plantings at the entrance of the Children's
Garden, the Monarch Butterfly Garden, and the ytt Northern Chumash Garden planted. By June 2023, the
Garden will construct a "hands-on" succulent wall in the Children's Garden.
The SLOBG will plan for the maintenance and upkeep of the trails and additional Garden displays in our
2023 Operating Budget.
PART 3: PROJECT COST / BUDGET
New Plantings/half from a
combination of plantings from
Native Suns Nursery, Cal Poly
Horticulture Department,
Growing Grounds Nursery,
and to be propagated by
SLOBG's Propagation
Volunteers will be used.
10,000.00$5,000.00$5,000.00$
2
3
4
5
6
7
*During application review , you may be asked for f urther f inancial information or f or proof of any matching f unds
De scribe the plan for promoting this proje ct within the City of San Luis Obispo.
How will you highlight the City's support of your proje ct?
By signi ng thi s applicaon, I ce rfy that the i nformaon containe d w i thin is true and corre ct to the be st of my
know l e dge . I agre e to comply w i th the re quire me nts of the Ci ty of the San Lui s Obispo.
Name of Pe rson comple ting this Application:*
Signature *
Title :*
Raised Flower Beds:
Purchase and installation of
four new raised beds: two at
optimal height for an adult
wheelchair, and the other two
at the optimal height for a
child’s wheelchair.
5,000.00$5,000.00$0.00$
5K gallon water storage tank
and DG pad
7,000.00$7,000.00$0.00$
Signage appropriate for
children and also for visitors
with low vision.Other source of
funds from volunteer labor
and First 5 Thrive grant
already secured.
6,045.00$1,500.00$4,495.00$
Trails resurfacing: 50 yards of
decomposed granite to place
on Discovery Trail and
additional trails in the
Children’s Garden
22,724.00$5,000.00$17,724.00$
Planning and Science
Committee: Plan development
109,147.00$0.00$109,147.00$
3 Accessible Picnic Table 4,500.00$4,500.00$0.00$
PART 4: AWARENESS AND VISIBILITY
The Garden will promote this project through press releases sent to local media, listings on community
calendars, presentations at Good Morning SLO, local Rotary Clubs and other service organizations;
marketing materials at the Chamber of Commerce, SLO Public Library, local Expos, SLO Farmer's
Markets, SLO preschool, elementary and high schools..
The SLOBG will recognize the City's support of this project through recognition on the Garden's website,
weekly e-blasts, social media posts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), and listing the City of SLO in the
free Garden Guides that we distribute to all visitors. Major supporters will be named on a plaque to be
posted prominently in the garden.
PART 5: CERTIFICATION
Ruta Saliklis
Operations Director
Date :*
8/31/2022
SLO‐BG Corporate Structure 2022Ver: 8‐30‐22Corporate Structure Approved by Board of Directors: 1‐27‐21Operations Committees Ruta Saliklis (C)VolunteersExecutive DirectorChenda Lor StaffOperations DirectorRuta SaliklisBusiness ManagerJanine Stillman Propagation & MaintenanceManager Stacia HookerBoard of DirectorsVacant(P)Nisha Abdul‐Cader (V)Anne Byerly (S)Elinor Dempsey (T)Lief McKayRick MathewsBen TrogdonTorrey BylesJohn PostKerry HughesEmeritus Board Members(non voting)Past Board MembersPast Executive DirectorsCommittees of the BoardFinance Elinor Dempsey (C)Development vacantGovernancePing Tsao & Nisha Abdul‐Cader(C)Planning Lief McKay (C)Education & ResearchKerry Hughes (C)Science/HorticultureEve Vigil (C)InterpretationRon Kindig/Ken Levine (C)Garden MaintenanceEve Vigil (C)Youth ProgramsNisha Abdul‐Cader/ Linda Wolff (C) MembershipKaren Darger (C) Facilities Maintenance VariesAccessioningPete Pederson (C)LibraryCarolynne Palmer (C)Propagation Ben Trogdon (C)Gift Shop Dawn Olsen & Jayne Devencenzi (C)MarketingvacantDocents Ken Levine (C) BoardAdult ProgramsKerry Hughes(C)Guest Services CoordinatorRosalie DanielsonInvestmentsJohn Post (C)Gift Shop & Welcome CenterDebra Windsong, Michael O’Connor & Martin De la CruzTrails (Panorama) Torrey Byles & Bruce BonifasDirector of Communications& Events Tracy StrannVolunteer DirectorCheryl WakefieldEducation & JEDI Director Millie TolaniChildren’s GardenJayne Devencenzi & Karen Darger