<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p><p>Active Duty U.S. Military Personnel and Families Admitted FREE to San Diego Botanic Garden</p><p>May 1, 2017 through Labor Day, September 4, 2017</p><p>The San Diego Botanic Garden is proud to participate in the Blue Star Museum program, offering free admission to all active duty, National Guard and Reserve members of the U.S. military and their families (card carrier plus 5 immediate family members). As our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the brave men and women of the U.S. Military, the Garden will begin our Blue Star program on May 1st – more than 3 weeks ahead of other Blue Star Museum participants!</p><p>Military families are invited to come and enjoy our restful 37-acre botanic wonderland, featuring 29 uniquely themed gardens and 4,000 different plant species. Children of all ages will enjoy exploring our two children’s gardens, Seeds of Wonder and our nationally-acclaimed Hamilton Children’s Garden, featuring Toni’s Tree House, as well as a Mountain Stream, Garden Music, Garden ABC Plant exploration areas and more. Blue Star participants are also extended free admission to attend special events held at the Garden during the summer months including Thursday Family Fun Nights each Thursday from June 1 – August 31; Fairy Festival on June 17; and Insect Fest on July 22 & 23. </p><p>Thanks to the generous support of a Garden member, the San Diego Botanic Garden is able to participate in the Blue Star Museum program, a partnership among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across the country.</p><p>Simply show one of the following active military I.D. cards at Admissions: • Army • Navy • Air Force • Marines • Coast Guard • National Guard and Reserve.</p><p>Visit our website for more information: http://www.sdbgarden.org/events.htm</p><p>About San Diego Botanic Garden The San Diego Botanic Garden is a beautiful urban retreat nestled on 37-acres in the midst of Encinitas. Visitors enjoy restful vistas, flowering trees, majestic palms, and the nation’s largest bamboo collection. Thanks to our mild Southern California climate, plants from all over the world thrive here. Our diverse topography provides a wide variety of microclimates giving visitors the sensation of strolling through a tropical rainforest to hiking in the high-desert. Four miles of trails wind through 29 uniquely themed gardens including the acclaimed Hamilton Children’s Garden. In addition, the Garden regularly offers classes covering many topics including certification classes covering popular plant varieties, water conservation, fire-safe landscaping, hands-on flower and plant arranging, art in various media, and healthy cooking. Visitors and members also participate in frequent special weekend events and Docent- led tours. </p>