December - Horticultural Day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

A Very Special Event- Celebrating 100 Years
Horticultural Day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park    

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There is no regular meeting in December, but you won't want to miss this special day with the Horticultural Society at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido.

The zoo celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.  The Zoo and Safari Park have become world famous not only for the animals but also the outstanding plant collections and gardens.  So much so, that the San Diego Horticultural Society has named the past and present horticulturists at the zoo as their Horticulturist of the year. 

The 5 acre nativescapes garden near the Tiger Trail is a certified botanical garden.  Thanks to Safari Park, it has been established and maintained by the Lake Hodges Native Plant club for 20 years. 

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Here are highlights of the the day:

• Saturday, December 3, 9am - 1pm. Members are invited to enjoy the Safari Park until it closes at 5pm.
• When you register online to attend, receive via email a discount voucher good for 20% off regular entrance fee. The voucher is valid for use online 11/28/16 through 12/4/16 or redeem at any Safari Park front gate ticket window on 12/3/2016 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park only. 
• Event registration required to receive discount voucher via email. Registration Link
  

Look for the SDHS check-in table in the entry Rondavel, which is the area just outside the turnstiles. Receive a sticker to wear to identify you as part of our group.  An event day map of indicating the location of activities will be available.  You can also pick up a free SDHS member pass to one of these tours:

• Safari Park Horticulture Behind the Scenes Tours: Join a 1 hour behind the scenes tour to led by horticulture department team members. It's not a plant tour, although we'll probably pop into the greenhouse and shade house too! Tours are times are: 9.30am, 10am, 10.45am and 11.15am 
  
• Botanical Tours of Tull Family Tiger Trail: Join a 1 hour tour  through the Tiger Trail exhibit, to highlight the plants used in upcoming newest large experience at the Safari Park. Tours are times are: 9.45am, 10.15am, 11am and 11.30am
  

Activities: 

• Kupanda Banda (in the Conifer Arboretun): Tours also start here. Receive directions and a map for activities. The San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research will have information about the seed bank and other conservations activities.  Look for a table with interesting horticulture/plant items and meet department team members.  
• Bonsai Pavilion: Between 9:30 and noon, volunteers will give informal tours and a bonsai demonstration of an aspect of the art of bonsai
• Ephiphyllum House: Meet at the main 'hub' at Kupanda Banda and Epi volunteers will give escorted tours of the Epi House >
• Baja and Old World Succulent Gardens: Volunteers in the gardens will answer questions
• California Nativescapes Garden: Between 9 and noon. Volunteer who maintain this area to be available in the garden to meet and chat with attendees.