Check Presentation at Old Mission Santa Barbara

he California Missions Foundation, presented a check to Fr. Richard McManus, Executive Director/Guardian at Old Mission Santa Barbara to promote efforts at the Huerta Historical Gardens. The funds will be used to enhance educational projects and efforts to preserve varieties of historic plants at the Huerta, a branch of the Mission Museum. Only varieties of plants documented as present in the Mission era (1769-1832) are allowed in the Huerta. Original plant stock is located and cultivated and then saved and distributed to other Mission sites, which is part of what the National Park Service calls the preservation of Cultural Landscapes. We have educational school tours and workshops to educate the public about the role of the Chumash in building the agricultural industry that is still a major part of life in Santa Barbara County. This grant will both support the educational programs and the plant preservation projects of the Huerta in the coming year by underwriting those costs, which include busses for touring students.

The California missions are among the oldest surviving structures in the state and are in constant need of restoration. Founded in 1998, the California Missions Foundation was established with the objective of preserving and protecting the missions. The Foundation is the only organization dedicated to the long-term preservation and restoration needs of all California missions and their associated historic and cultural resources for public benefit.

For further information visit: www.californiamissionsfoundation.org.