San Diego Botanic Garden
Don Doerfler is a dedicated volunteer and retired professional with a diverse background in internet development and horticulture. Currently serving as a Vice President for the Southern California Plumeria Society since July 2013, Don also plays a crucial role as an orchid and plumeria volunteer conservator at the San Diego Botanic Garden since March 2016. After a career as a web guy at Advanced Nutriceuticals from 2001 to 2005 and an independent internet developer from 2006 to 2008, Don has embraced retirement at Old Guys Inc. since October 2021. Don holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Design from California State University, Fullerton, earned between 1969 and 1973.
San Diego Botanic Garden
Established in 1970, San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) is a 37-acre urban oasis located in the city of Encinitas, in north San Diego County. We garden to create, share and apply plant wisdom in our world. The Garden’s four miles of trails display more than 5,000 plant species and varieties, including 300 plants for which SDBG is the only garden maintaining a population. SDBG has 15 gardens that represent different regions of the world, 12 demonstration gardens, and the largest public bamboo collection in North America. SDBG has three children’s gardens, including its flagship, one-acre Hamilton Children’s Garden, the largest kids’ garden on the west coast. The Garden works in botany, conservation horticulture, and applied plant sciences to address our biggest local and global issues—from food security and climate change to land management and home gardening. SDBG collaborates with local academics, companies and organizations to create innovative, impactful programs and initiatives; to conserve plants and habitats for the future; and to create and share new knowledge. By expanding its scientific and conservation role to address our most pressing issues and human-plant relationships, SDBG is quickly becoming a model 21st century public plant science institution.