The Gehringer Native Plant Garden, designed and maintained by UC Master Gardeners, is now open to the public in Concord as of Mar. 29. The garden features California native plants that attract pollinators and are adapted to local conditions, offering a model for sustainable landscaping in urban areas.
Interest in water-efficient landscapes is increasing due to policies such as California Assembly Bill 1572, which targets irrigation of non-functional turf with potable water. The demonstration garden shows how native plants can be used at homes, schools, businesses, and public spaces without pesticides while supporting wildlife.
The project began in summer 2022 when volunteers removed weeds from an unused area before planting the first natives that fall. Additional plantings expanded the garden into shaded sections by fall 2023. In late fall 2024 and early 2025, a narrow parking strip was converted into another thriving demonstration space featuring milkweed for monarch butterflies and other pollinator-friendly species like yarrow and red-flowered fuchsia. The site now contains about 120 plants representing around 90 varieties across two long planted areas separated by a decomposed granite path.
Wildlife has flourished at the site: bluebirds forage among shrubs; monarch butterflies lay eggs on milkweed; various bees collect pollen; western fence lizards bask; and many bird species have been observed or nested there. Sightings are recorded on their iNaturalist project. A team of UC Master Gardeners works weekly at the site and invites new volunteers to participate in activities such as plant care, biodiversity monitoring, or photography.
A ‘Going Public’ event will be held April 4 from noon to three p.m., inviting UC Master Gardeners, community gardeners, and local residents for tours and information about native plants. The garden will also participate in the “Bringing Back the Natives Tour” on May 3.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) supports projects like this through public contributions according to its official website. UC ANR promotes sustainable practices for resilient ecosystems while strengthening economic vitality according to its official website, utilizing nine research centers representing diverse ecosystems according to its official website. It is recognized for linking research with community needs according to its official website as part of the University of California system managing Cooperative Extension services according to its official website. Each year it conducts over thirty-three thousand educational events with more than eighteen thousand volunteers engaged statewide according to its official website.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources extends university research through educational programs across all fifty-eight counties—delivering science-based information via workshops and partnerships—to support environmental stewardship, community development, state issues response efforts, volunteer mobilization, use of research centers for innovation testing grounds—all contributing economically according to their official website.