Comments by nonni
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1 of 1 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on August 17 at 10:03 a.m.
Excellent!
Posted on August 12 at 10:04 a.m.
Thank you for the link, Tabatha!
Myth #6 is particularly pertinent to this discussion:
Can fire "sterilize" the soil and if it can, does it really matter? A hot fire can certainly kill biological life on the soil surface. But unless there are burning logs that maintain continuous amounts of heat over long periods of time, the amount of "soil sterilization" is relatively minor. Since trees and logs are not part of the chaparral ecosystem, chaparral fires are generally quite fast and the residence time for any heat on the surface is relatively short. In fact, hot fires actually serve an important purpose in shrubland ecosystems by destroying the seeds of invasive species. One sign of a healthy, chaparral ecosystem that is recovering from a fire are large areas of blackened ground (punctuated with resprouting shrubs and tiny shrub seedlings) remaining long after the first rainy season. Hot fires are a natural part of the chaparral. Contrary to popular opinion, we don't need to rush in and cover the ground with mulch or seed. A healthy ecosystem will recover quite well without our help.
Posted on August 12 at 9:48 a.m.
Dear Indy Staff,
I think that the spirit of Owen's comment is absolutely correct, and concurs with most if not all of Robert Muller's article. The argument over whether indeed chaparral is fire "dependent", or simply well adapted to repeated burning over time is largely semantic. The fact remains that fire is a natural occurrence in the chaparral, grassland, oak woodland, and even riparian areas of the coastal desert we live in. (I hiked through a totally burned riparian area to my family's property immediately following the Jesusita fire - the creek was still running while the ground smoldered!)
To blame fire for the increase in non-native species is misguided. The European invasion of this continent was (is) 100% responsible for this. What would be valuable to explore and adjust would be the methods we use to manage fire now that we have the problems of non-native invasion. How about re-seeding burned areas with native bunch grasses and annuals instead of dumping trash ("hydromulch") or european grasses all over the landscape?
Thank you Owen, for your frequent and well-informed points of view. Please continue!
0 of 2 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on August 7 at 6:38 a.m.
sfsherrill has illuminated the most important point - that SBBG has refused to negotiate with community groups to work together to come up with a new plan which would be in keeping with the historic legacy, scale, and local ambience of the garden. Perhaps the planning commission should recommend that the SBBG work with community members to come up with a plan that is acceptable. Additionally, the SBBG should not be propogating and planting cultivars, hybrids and non-native species in the garden. This is a Santa Barbara native plant garden, and it loses its educational value when non-natives are grown and sold there.
Posted on July 28 at 8:01 a.m.
Agreed! Love Tom and his produce, but is it possible to get the Shepherd's mix sans plastic?!?
Posted on July 27 at 8:33 a.m.
Yes, please keep voting - the Florida initiative was gaining on us...we are now pulling ahead, but everyone needs to keep making a concerted effort to vote once a day for the additional $5000!!!
Posted on July 13 at 9:22 a.m.
Not to mention those ridiculous mylar balloons which littler the ocean and are mistaken for food (look like jellyfish) by larger sea creatures - we need an immediate ban on those as well. Also, even though residential garbage pickup provides for comingled recylcling, and ALL plastics are now recyclable, as far as I can tell, commercial garbage pickup does not. I have worked at a number of food and drink - related businesses in Santa Barbara, and all waste except glass or cardboard goes right into the trash. What is up with this!?!
Posted on July 10 at 8:07 a.m.
Yeah!!! Live Culture - Best new venue in a long time. This place is truly a local treasure - One of a kind, yet has something for everybody. Thank you Darin, Sierra, Daniel and Rebecca for bringing some life back to downtown Santa Barbara. Fine art, great music, exceptionally fresh and delicious food, desserts and coffees conspire with an open, inviting atmosphere to provide the backdrop for stimulating conversation and fun...We Love You!
Posted on June 15 at 9:01 a.m.
Yes, thank you, Ray. The trails should probably remain closed at least until the end of the upcoming rainy season because of the drainage and stability issues you raised. Some people are currently using the trails even though they are officially closed. It will take time for the land to heal. We will all be better off in the long run if human activity in the Jesusita fire area is limited until the natural regrowth of fire succession vegetation occurs and drainage and erosion issues are addressed.
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2 of 2 people thought this was a good comment.
Posted on September 16 at 7:35 a.m.
We need to start calling this what it is - not "trail work" or "illegal trail maintenance". This is trail abuse. Some idiots are out there destroying this incredible natural resource which needs to be maintained ONLY by professionals who have been properly trained for the purpose.Thank you Kerry and Ray, for taking action on this very serious problem. These vandals have to be stopped.
On Illegal Trail-Cutting Efforts Continue to Concern Forest Officials