Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve

The Conservation Endowment Fund was founded by John Taft in 1981 out of his love and dedication to nature and it’s preservation. Today, the property hosts 15 acres of curated gardens that inspire visitors to learn about the majesty of nature and its complexities. Hand painted botanical tiles mark the path of the Docent Guided tour through the South African and Australian Gardens. Sculptures adorn the garden with curated art pieces inspiring each visitor to explore the connection between themselves and their environment. The South African Garden was designed in 1988 by Laurence Nicklin, a South African landscaper and horticulturist from Capetown’s Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. The Australian garden was built a year later in 1989 by then recruited horticulturist Jo O’Connell of the Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

Beyond the garden 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 and prohibits agricultural uses that would add pollution to the watershed.