Ganna Walska Lotusland will reopen in mid-May, as it has been determined to be an essential “Outdoor Recreation” space by Santa Barbara County. The operators of the botanical garden in Montecito are implementing the public Health Department’s requirements to create a safe experience for people who want to explore and immerse themselves in this 37-acre botanical wonderland.

The garden is very safe and allows for social distancing by its very nature, and operators are confident the community will benefit from this time in the outdoors. There will be staff and volunteer Garden Attendants stationed throughout the property trained to protect visitors and the plant collections. The operators are requiring face masks and are not granting access to any buildings except the Visitor Center restrooms. Lotusland is also selling masks and also providing hand sanitizer. 

Guests will be able to use the camera on their phones to scan QR codes for detailed horticultural information while in the garden. It should be noted that this status could be revoked in the future if safety cannot be preserved or if the county changes its order. 

All visitors will self-guide through the garden. Information on making a reservation may be found on the garden’s website www.lotusland.org by phone at 805-969-9990. Public reservations are available from May 20.

Lotusland was forced to close in March and, like all local businesses, has experienced revenue shortfalls due to cancelled tours, group visits, and fundraising events. This summer’s Lotusland Celebrates gala will continue as a “virtual event” bringing an online auction, a public awareness campaign and a program with incredible garden imagery and entertainment to enjoy from the comfort of one’s home on July 25. You can follow the event on Instagram. To make a donation, go to Lotusland.org/donate/.

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Former Midland School administrator Rebecca Anderson is now the Director of Development for Ganna Walksa Lotusland in Santa Barbara. Anderson is stepping in to Anne Dewey’s position as Dewey transitions to her new role as Director of Planned Giving. Anderson’s unbridled enthusiasm translates to both maintain the strong member relations we now enjoy as well as to forge new partnerships that will allow Lotusland to continue to thrive well into the future.

“I am delighted to join the Lotusland staff, the committed volunteers and supporters and contribute to the continued success of this vibrant cultural asset,” Anderson said.

Anderson recently served as the Director of Advancement for Midland School, a private boarding high-school just north of Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley. Anderson was the first professional Director of Development for the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara and was the Manager of Annual Giving at Cottage Health System where she worked with the Cottage Associates and was responsible for the Tiara Ball gala and the Children’s Miracle Network telethon.

Anderson’s commitment to nonprofits has also been demonstrated by her work with CALM (Child Abuse Listening and Mediation), as a trustee of Santa Barbara Middle School and as a member of the Board of Leading from Within, a leadership development program for Santa Barbara County. She also served as a Board member and Co-President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) for Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and earned a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certificate. Anderson completed her BA at the University of California Santa Cruz and earned her MA in Organizational Management from Antioch University.

Anderson lives with her husband and their two daughters in Santa Barbara, where they enjoy working on their home and garden, spending time with their extended family, and soaking in the beauty and culture of Santa Barbara.

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