THE CHAPARRALIAN
A periodic journal focusing on
the importance of Nature
and how it can inspire us
Become a Member
Beginning with our February, 2025, issue, The Chaparralian will be a benefit of membership in the Chaparral Institute. We would love to have you join us so we can share our inspiring stories of Nature through writing, art, and poetry. Please visit our Membership Page to select how you would like to support our work protecting the chaparral and supporting the creative spirit as inspired by Nature.
#45 How Nature Inspires Us 2/2025
----- Older Editions -----
#43 Why Large Fires (9/2013): An essay on changing the way we think, a paper on why the fire suppression paradigm for southern California has been rejected by the scientific community, and a photo essay on the painted lady butterflies of the chaparral.
#42 Defending the Chaparral (4/2013): Thoughts about the endless attempts to clear habitat, The Irresponsibility Complex, Lichens of the Chaparral, and Bill Howell - a True Chaparralian. Plus great photos of some beautiful, old-growth chaparral.
#41 Double Bouquets (12/2012): Been Dead for Awhile - Part III. Also a fascinating look at the sunflower family in Double Bouquets of Sunflowers, selected poetry, and a fun photo essay on Chaparral Doggies.
#40 Truth (5/2012): The story of the decade-long effort to convince San Diego County officials that science matters and that the chaparral ecosystem has value. In the name of fire protection, the county planned on clearing tens of thousands of acres of habitat.
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#39 Been Dead for Awhile - Part II (8/2011): Includes a photo essay on old-growth chaparral, an article by Roger Klemm on how to propagate manzanitas, and Part II of the ongoing story "Been Dead for Awhile."
#38 The ShrubPeople (5/2011): The impact of money, a new story about three characters trying to find their own paths through life while making a difference in the world, a wonderful poem, and an exclusive research paper on chaparral lichen.
#36-37 Dreams (2/2011): A special double issue focusing on the importance of following one's dreams by following the film production of the thriller, "Rites of Passage."
#35 Going On and On (9/2010): A bright young man describes how the meaning of life, nature, and girls can be found in the chaparral, an essay on extinction by Bill Howell, and poetry by Nicholas and Jake Halsey.
#34 Don't Call It Brush! (8/2010): An historical examination of anti-chaparral rhetoric plus Bill Howell's view of the female tarantuala hawk's deadly habits, and poetry from our Chaparral Laureate, Nancy Jordan.
#33 The Canyon (12/2009): An article about chaparral dragonflies by Bill Howell, more wonderful poetry by Nancy Jordan, and Jim Hart returns with his story about how he discovered the chaparral while teaching high school biology.
#32: Learning (11/2009): Three young boys from Kathmandu share an important story, and a guide for 5th to 8th graders entitled, "The Chaparral Habitat for Young Chaparralians." Also more beautiful poems by Nancy Jordan and a story about a walking toothbrush.
#31 One is Actually Many (8/2009): We visit a notable Chaparralian's childhood with a story about passing along one's love for nature. Also poetry by Nancy Jordan and Bill Howell looks at one of the chaparral's fuzzy inhabitants, the velvet ant.
#30 The Chumash (7/2009): A special issue in a new format focusing on the Chumash Indians and their relationship to Datura and the spirit world. Also "Flower Power Hooks Hawk."
The Chaparralian began in 2006. Older copies are available to members. We'd love to have you join us. Please visit our Join Us page to get caught up and support our cause to protect the chaparral and bring Nature back into our lives.