Annual Mission Creek Gala
The 25th Annual Mission Creek Gala: Flora & Fauna will be held April 12, 2025.
Please contact Philanthropy Director Caroline Baker 805-682-4711 ext. 109 or cbaker@sbnature2.org with any questions.
The Museum inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world and is committed to providing exceptional educational programs for the Santa Barbara community. Our annual Gala has raised more than $7.7 million dollars for school programs since 2000.
Flora & Fauna Honorary Committee
- Stacey Byers
- Sheri Eckmann
- Venesa Faciane
- Lucy Firestone
- Elisabeth Fowler
- Heather Hambleton
- Kenneth Kelly, Ph.D.
- Amanda Lee
- Bobbie Kinnear
- Karen Nicholson
- Susan Parker
Special thanks to our business sponsors
- duo catering & events
- Eyes in the Sky
- Farmers & Merchants Bank
- Farmers and Merchants Trust Company
- Flair Project
- Frank Schipper Construction
- Joy Full Events, Inc.
- Newlin Associates
- SMI Audio Visual
- S.R. Hogue & Co.
- Town & Country Event Rentals
- Ventura Rental Party & Events
- Village Properties
Special thanks to these wineries who donated the delicious wines being poured at the event
Bella Union Winery (Far Niente Family Estates)
Bollinger Champagne
Calera Wine Company (The Duckhorn Portfolio)
Darioush Winery
The Donum Estate
Gary Farrell Winery
Goldeneye Winery (The Duckhorn Portfolio)
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Paul Hobbs Winery
Peter Michael Winery
Ponzi Vineyards
Rhys Vineyards
Williams Selyem Winery
Flora & Fauna Sponsors
Tableau
- Ann Jackson Family Foundation
- Loren Booth / Mari & Hank Mitchel
- The Dreier Family
- Lorraine & Keith Reichel
- Wood-Claeyssens Foundation
Oak Grove
- Lucy Firestone & Hayden Felice / Amanda & Travis Lee
- Heather & Rob Hambleton
- Hutton Parker Foundation / Susan Parker / Chris & Marisa Parker
- US Bank
Hummingbird Sage
- Carolyn Chandler
- Sheri Eckmann & Bill Klansek / Gail & Bob Young
- Farmers & Merchants Bank / Nolan Nicholson
- Farmers and Merchants Trust Company / Tory Milazzo
- Frank Schipper Construction Company
- Elisa Redding Kelly & Kenneth Kelly
- Corinne & Rocky Laverty
- The Lynne Family
- Nancy Martz
- Patrick & Jackie McBride / Kyle Murray
- Monica Orozco
Chanterelle
- Lyn & David Anderson
- Hiroko Benko
- Ginny & Tim Bliss
- Stacey Byers & Luke J. Swetland
- Louise & Tim Casey
- Melissa Fassett / Price Postel & Parma
- Joyce & Greg Fuss
- Julie Heider Gray & Cameron Gray
- Renee Grubb / Village Properties
- Marilyn & Jeff Harding
- Barbara Holzman & David Smith
- Nancy & Karl Hutterer
- Pippa Hames Knowlton & Chris Knowlton
- Montecito & Bank & Trust
- Julie & Peter Morley
- Leslie & Dennis Power
- David Reichert
- Frank Schipper & Leslie Meadowcroft Schipper
- Judy Stapelmann
- Susan & Bruce Worster
Manzanita
- Bobbie & John Kinnear
- Brad Willis & Tony Pusathai
Past Galas
The 2024 Mission Creek Gala Mineral Masquerade raised $675,000!
Board Chair Tory Milazzo with his wife Kelly. Photo by Baron Spafford
Photos by Baron Spafford
The Galactic Gala was held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 and raised $570,000!
Staff event speakers and support Isabella Figueroa, Charlie Thrift, Krissie Cook, and Luke Swetland. Photo by Baron Spafford
Sponsors Heather and Rob Hambleton and their table guests enjoying the Gala.
Photo by Baron Spafford
2022 Seahorse Soiree
Sea Center on Stearns Wharf lit up for the Seahorse Soiree
Thanks to the generous sponsors and donors to the Seahorse Soiree the event raised $500,000 to support our important nature and science education programs for schoolchildren in our tri-county area. These funds will be used to fund hands-on learning opportunities that provide an understanding and appreciation of the natural world thereby fostering the next generation of ecologists, policy makers, and informed citizens. For many, the Museum is their first introduction to the wonders of nature, and the remarkable region in which we live. This sets the stage for a life-long interest in both science and the natural world.
Heather Hambleton and Melissa McCann enjoy the opening reception at the Seahorse Soiree.
For more information contact Caroline Baker at 805-682-4711 ext. 109 or cbaker@sbnature2.org.
