CALABASAS : Soka to Offer Tour of Botany Project

Soka University will present a tour of its newly dedicated John and Juliana Gensley Native Plant Demonstration Garden and Botanical Research Center and Nursery on Sept. 6 from 10 to 11 a.m.

The botany research center and nursery was set up to restore portions of the campus to its native habitat following the introduction of non-native plant species over the last 70 years. The center currently houses a fully documented seed bank of more than 250 plant species.

Plants expected to be in bloom during the walk include orange wallflowers, foothill penstemon and monkey flowers.

Soka University is located at 26800 W. Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. Soka-affiliated schools maintain six environmental preserves in America and Japan.

Juliana Gensley, a professor emeritus from Cal State Long Beach, will lead the tour. Both she and her husband, John, have been actively involved in the community since 1942.

The Gensleys have organized docents at Malibu Canyon State Park, where they have led nature walks for adults and children, and have worked to preserve the White Oak farm and the Sepulveda Adobe. They have also organized and led the Juan de Anza Pageant and researched and wrote a book on the Stunt family and their ranch.

In recognition for their volunteer efforts, the two have been awarded the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Bill van Gieson award.