• About Us
    • Staff & Friends
    • Actions & Events
  • Join Us
  • Journal
  • Gifts
  • Chaparral
    • Chaparral Types
    • Species
    • Myths
    • Old Growth Chaparral
    • Vernal Pools
    • Geology
    • Chap Preservation Plan
    • Grizzly Bear National Monument
    • Rancho Guejito
  • Education
    • Videos
    • Publications
    • The Chaparralian
    • Writing
    • Wildness Within
    • Trail and Classroom
  • Threats
    • Cal Fire
    • Too Much Fire
    • Prescribed Fire
    • "Fuel" Treatments
    • Climate Change
    • Cuyamaca State Park
    • San Diego County
  • Fire
    • Chaparral Fire Ecology
    • It's About the Wind
    • Protecting Your Home
    • Forest Fires
    • Dead Trees?
    • Native Americans
    • Dear Governor Newsom
    • Fire Prevention Services

Writing

My two friends, pen and journal, understand me, more than myself.

Nature Provides Common Ground, if We Listen

Why do people really enjoy learning new things about Nature when nearly every other topic of discussion these days seems to be a hop, skip, and a jump away from a brawl? You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who gets their dander up and starts an argument that degenerates into questioning your heritage when you share with them that their belief about touching wild baby birds is wrong – it doesn’t cause the babies to be abandoned by their parents. Put the baby bird back into their nest the next time (if you can find it)! Continue reading here.

Wisdom of the Chipmunk

My pack was pulling me into the center of the earth, my legs were burning, and every time I looked up, the pass seemed to be crawling away. The whole ordeal was killing me. So I stopped, threw my pack down, and collapsed on the incline. The weather was threatening, so I knew I had to keep moving, but I couldn’t.
Then I saw the chipmunk. He was darting up the switchback ahead of me. Although at first glance he seemed to be scurrying along in fits and starts, he always stopped when the switchback turned. Right at the corner he paused, occupying himself with cleaning his little paws and looking around at the scenery. Then he was off again until he reached the next switchback corner. Continue reading here.

The Towhee of Notre-Dame

Her thin, elongated feet and delicate toes are mechanisms of terror for the unsuspecting. Her bright, umber brown eyes are still, alert for an identifiable shape, any movement on the nearby ground.
She steps forward. Cocks her head. Watching. A constant day-long dance with only a few pauses to preen, to take care of herself. Throughout it all, except when preening of course, a high-pitched call, coming in single bursts, one at a time, spaced evenly, bill filled with prey or not, fills the air throughout the day – Nature’s metronome.
Her presence stilled my own. She reminded me of what matters. Every morning. Every afternoon. Continue reading here.
Please listen to this special podcast with Roy Ben-Tzvi This interview provides an excellent overview of all things chaparral including what we do, what chaparral is, the best way to deal with wildfire risk, and the role Nature can play to create better lives and a more positive society.

Video can’t be displayed

This video is not available.

Contact
EMAIL: nature at californiachaparral.org
California Chaparral Institute P.O. Box 545 Escondido, CA 92033
Regain control of your time. Visit Nature with friends.
ABOUT US JOIN US CHAPARRAL EDUCATION THREATS FIRE

We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. By clicking Accept you consent to our use of cookies. Read about how we use cookies.

Your Cookie Settings

We use cookies to enable essential functionality on our website, and analyze website traffic. Read about how we use cookies.

Cookie Categories
Essential

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our websites. You cannot refuse these cookies without impacting how our websites function. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings, as described under the heading "Managing cookies" in the Privacy and Cookies Policy.

Analytics

These cookies collect information that is used in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are.