Our Mission
The Conservation Endowment Fund (501c3 Non-Profit) is steward to the Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, carrying out its mission through preservation, education and exploration of the land in Santa Ana Canyon.
EDUCATE the public about it’s environmental heritage.
PRESERVE endangered resources.
EXPLORE the relationship of humans to their environment.
Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve
Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve is located at the end of a private residential road and can be experienced during regularly scheduled guided & self-guided events by reservation only.
With maintained paths and seating areas, the 15 acres of curated gardens inspires visitors to learn about the majesty of nature and it’s complexities. Scheduled Self-Guided Visitors follow detailed driving instructions two and half miles up Santa Ana Canyon in the foothills above Lake Casitas then enjoy a 1.5mile walking loop through the South African Garden, Australian Garden, Art Studios, Pollinator Garden and Walking Meditation Labyrinth. Beyond the cultivated gardens and grounds, lies almost 200 acres of California Open Space protected by a Conservation Easement with the Wildlife Land Trust. The easement provides connectivity and safe passage for wildlife who live among the surrounding protected lands.
Taft Gardens Programs
Art in Nature RESIDENCY
The Taft Gardens Art in Nature programming works to illuminate the vision of growth and understanding of ourselves and others through the experience of beauty in the natural world.
Taft’s Art Residency Program hosts a variety of residency offerings each season. Applications accepted year round for the following season.
Nature Immersion
The Nature Immersion and Nature-Based Mindfulness Program at Taft Gardens guides participants through sensory awareness activities to expose them to the healing power of Nature.
Support to this program funded the creation of the new Taft Labyrinth and further donations to this program will go towards scholarships for under-served members of our community to attend Nature Immersion events, the design and installation of the Self-Guided Nature Therapy Trail and further development of this program.
Founding member of the Nature Immersion Program, Elena Rios, leads seasonal guided walks at Taft Gardens. Read more about the Guided Nature Immersion and her work.
Nature Education
The gardens and infrastructure are surrounded by nearly 200 acres of Open Space bordering the Los Padres National Forest. The Conservation Endowment Fund is proud to hold a Wildlife Conservation Easement with the Humane Society's Wildlife Land Trust which provides connectivity and safe passage for wildlife who live among the surrounding protected lands and prohibit agricultural uses that would add pollution to the watershed.
Explore the Taft Nature Preserve
Lanny Kaufer has been leading interpretive native plant walks and nature hikes in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties in Southern California since 1976 and has been guiding at Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve since the early 90’s. Explore areas of the Taft Preserve only accessible on guided tours and learn about the local ecology.
Valor Healing Farms is a non-profit based in Ojai serving the military community including veterans, active duty, caregivers, families and first responders through farming internships, therapeutic horticulture, sustainable gardening and animal-assisted therapy.
Taft Gardens is proud to partner with Valor Healing Farms to host their flagship “Healing Garden” to offer learning and exploring of sustainable gardening and ecotherapy. It is a vision to build community gardens where military and veterans members reside in order to provide this healthy food option as well as wellness and therapeutic experience.
Give the Gift of Growth
Support from people like you is essential to help maintain and grow
Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve.
Photography: ©Saxon Holt/PhotoBotanic, third image by Victoria Borjesson, www.VictoriaPhotos.com