Recently, our team at Forever Balboa Park had the pleasure of organizing and hosting “Morning Blooms and Gratitude,” a delightful garden soirée at the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden. This historic garden, with views of the downtown skyline, has been a cherished part of our park landscape since 1935, blending urban park development with botanical history. Over the past several years, Forever Balboa Park has led a comprehensive revitalization of the garden, involving the support of a wide range of volunteers, horticultural experts, park partners, and community leaders.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who made this event and ongoing conservation efforts possible:

• Nancy Carol-Carter provided invaluable historical research, leading to the garden’s renaming in honor of Kate O. Sessions.
• Joe Fisch and Joyce Axelrod offered visionary leadership and financial support for essential trail repairs and signage.
• Hunter Industries generously funded a grant for the automated centralized irrigation system, with installation support from Southwest Environments.
• The California Conservation Corps (CCC) contributed their labor to restoring and repairing all garden trails.
• City of San Diego Parks and Recreation swiftly repaired vandalized water sources, ensuring sustainability.
• Bill Beckman contributed numerous cacti and succulents, enriching our garden’s biodiversity.
• Forever Balboa Park (FBP) garden funds provided essential fence protection for water sources, preventing future vandalism.
• Michael Bostick and collaborators meticulously inventoried and identified all plant species, creating an informative online garden map and learning space.
• Former FBP Intern Alexis and current staff member Sophia Galvez devoted countless hours to formatting the plant inventory for our website.
• Brigitta Rehn designed an engaging online map for the plant inventory and learning resources.
• Garden Stewards like Bene, Bill, Dana, and others continue to dedicate themselves to the garden’s upkeep.

Together, these efforts highlight the power of community collaboration in preserving our botanical heritage and fostering sustainable urban park environments. Thank you to everyone involved for making the Kate O. Sessions Cactus Garden a thriving, educational oasis for all to enjoy!

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