GSBF Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt

04/17/2026

Twenty‑Five Years of Growth — Past, Present, and Future
A Quarter Century of Living Art at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt
For twenty‑five years, the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM), Oakland, California, has stood as a testament to patience, artistry, and community. Like the trees it houses, the garden has grown slowly and intentionally shaped by many hands, guided by shared vision, and rooted in a deep respect for the ancient art of bonsai.
BGLM is a volunteer‑driven nonprofit organization supported entirely through donations and grants.
The anniversary book captures years in the making. It is a story of transformation: of trees, of people, and of a public space that has become one of the most cherished bonsai collections in the United States.
The major project in 2024 was undertaken by a modest group of garden volunteers to celebrate 25 years of BGLM. Research and ex*****on took more than 13 months, six separate photograph shoots, and certainly dedication for creating and publishing the book.
The 123-page book focuses on the history of the garden, the number of donors, supporters and volunteers, and the museum quality bonsai and suiseki viewing stones. Going back to the concept in 1974 and covering the years of construction and growth, more than 1,700 contributing individual names were published in the book.
The 25th Anniversary Book - produced in both softcover and hardcover editions - was completed right on schedule and made its debut during the BGLM’s anniversary celebration in November 2024. Its release became a highlight of the event, offering visitors and longtime supporters a tangible way to commemorate a quarter century of growth, artistry, and community.

The future of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt - its trees, its stones, its educational mission, and its role as a living art museum - will rest in the hands of all‑volunteer bonsai practitioners and enthusiasts who support it today. Their dedication is the garden’s greatest asset.
For information about purchasing the book, visit the website: https://bonsailakemerritt.com/gift-shop/

02/07/2026

11/01/2025

Holiday sale by the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, Oakland, California

11/01/2025

Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt

Cultivating Creativity in Teamwork

In today’s fast-paced work world, it’s so easy to forget how important it is to pause, connect, and play. Our recent team Play Day for a Kokedama Workshop in the stunning Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt reminded us just how powerful that can be.

Led by the garden’s amazing Director Suzanne Muller, we explored the art of Kokedama—creating moss-wrapped dwarf trees and plants (moss balls!) that blend simplicity and balance with nature. Surrounded by the garden’s living works of art, we rolled up our sleeves, got our hands dirty, and found excitement in crafting something beautiful and completely unexpected, together.

The morning was full of laughter, curiosity, and connection. Our team, who rarely has an opportunity to bond with each other outside of the workplace, was immediately engaged and sharing ideas—proof that creativity thrives when we make space for it.

Thank you, Suzanne, for sharing your incredible knowledge, passion and inspiration! We left the garden with our own living creations in good care—and a renewed sense of teamwork, mindfulness, and joy.

We can't wait to visit the Gardens at Lake Merritt and the Bonsai Garden again!

Janette Maurer
Office Manager
Brown·Miller Communications, Inc.

06/07/2025

SAVE THE DATES!

03/16/2025

The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt concluded its annual Mammoth Auction & Sale fundraiser on March 1 and 2, 2025. The fundraiser was a great success. The next Mammoth Auction & Sale will be March 7 and 8, 2026, at the Lakeside Park Garden Center, Lake Merritt, Oakland, California.