From the UC Blogosphere...

UCCE advisor teaches Topanga Canyon residents about making their homes fire safe

Sabrina Drill, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Los Angeles County, natural resources, informed Topanga Canyon residents how to create defensible space around their homes by breaking up fuel ladders, identifying fire-resistant plants and spacing the plants appropriately, according to the Topanga Messenger.

Drill's presentation, which included information about maintaining the health of the wildland environment, was the third of four lectures sponsored by the Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness.

Topanga Canyon is a tony Los Angeles County neighborhood nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains and bounded on three sides by state park or conservancy lands. In 1993, the Old Topanga Fire burned 16,516 acres and destroyed at least 388 structures, according to Wikipedia.

Anise Swallowtail: Have You Seen Me?

An anise swallowtail fluttered in and out of the tall anise bordering the banks of the Benicia Marina. A beautiful...

Female anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon, as identified by butterfly expert Art Shapiro of UC Davis, visiting anise at the Benicia Marina. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Female anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon, as identified by butterfly expert Art Shapiro of UC Davis, visiting anise at the Benicia Marina. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A female anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon, touches down on anise at the Benicia Marina. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A female anise swallowtail,Papilio zelicaon, touches down on anise at the Benicia Marina. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Up and away--the female anise swallowtail flutters away. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Up and away--the female anise swallowtail flutters away. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey

European paper wasp, apparently scouting the anise for butterfly eggs. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

European paper wasp, apparently scouting the anise for butterfly eggs. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

When To Water

Everybody knows that plants can die of thirst, but don't forget you canalso send them to an early grave by overwatering....

Gardening Chores for July

What should I be doing in my garden during July?Leo P.Fireworks and socializing may dominate the calendar for July, but...

The Waiting Game

When you visit the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, the half-acre bee friendly garden planted next to the Harry...

Praying mantis on Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Praying mantis on Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey

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