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Our Story
The California Chaparral Institute was established shortly after the 2003 Cedar Fire in San Diego County, a 273,000-acre wildfire that marked the beginning of California's new era of catastrophic mega fires.
During and after the Cedar Fire, chaparral was inaccurately blamed as the cause of the fire’s devastation. San Diego County government will take advantage of this misconception by proposing a program to clear 300 square miles of backcountry habitat. After six years of involvement by the Institute and others to help the county develop a new fire risk reduction plan based on science, the county proceeded with its original program. The program was dropped after the Institute successfully challenged it in court.
Since 2003, the Institute has produced publications and provided hundreds of public presentations explaining the value of the chaparral ecosystem and how we can live safely within California’s fire-prone environment. The Institute has also coined several popular concepts shortly after the 2003 Cedar Fire to help promote science-based fire safety and an appreciation for the chaparral, including reducing fire risk in our communities “from the house out rather than from the wildland in” and identifying legacy chaparral stands over 50 years old as “old-growth chaparral.” We also identified properly maintained and hydrated trees and shrubs around a home as "ember catchers" and "heat sinks" that can help protect a home from igniting during a wildfire, both of which are slowly countering the habitat clearance myopia of Cal Fire and the public.
The Chaparral ecosystem is now more commonly recognized as an important part of California's natural environment. The US Forest Service issued a major policy statement in 2013 acknowledging the value and fragility of the chaparral and has held several symposia focusing on the ecosystem services it provides. New publications are also helping the public recognize and appreciate the chaparral.
Still, much work needs to be done as many agencies, such as Cal Fire, and even some environmental non-profits, see wilderness as a frightening or profitable thing to be cleared, especially when millions of dollars in grant money are available to do so. Such behavior demonstrates that the artificial distance between people and Nature remains a powerful force. Consequently, the California Chaparral Institute continues to focus on helping to bring the wonder of Nature back into people's lives through innovative educational programs, research, and outdoor experiences. The greater awareness of and appreciation for the wild, natural environment, the greater number of voices there will be to speak up for its protection.