Theodore Payne Foundation’s Wildfire Story

In 2017, during one of Southern California’s most devastating fire seasons on record, Theodore Payne Foundation came face to face with the very real threat of wildfire. Although we escaped direct damage, the La Tuna Fire burned 5,000 acres, right up to the edge of our headquarters in the Verdugo Mountains. We evacuated twice and access to the neighborhood of La Tuna Canyon was closed by authorities on multiple occasions due to debris flows and subsequent hazardous conditions.

A silver lining to this frightening experience was that it solidified our resolve to share knowledge and resources about California wildfire. Over the next two years we developed a garden tour, held a lecture series by state-wide experts on post-fire ecologies, designed and installed a native plant garden at our local fire station, and explored the horticultural potential of our local fire following species (see below). In the future, we will continue to focus outreach efforts on helping Southern Californians understand wildfire and all of its nuanced implications, and to give them tools to make the best decisions for their safety, and the health of our native ecosystems.

Conservation and Horticultural Exploration

Many of the species represented completely new additions to our landscape, nursery, and seed offerings, including the true form of foothill poppy (Eschscholzia caespitosa), short lobed phacelia, (Phacelia brachyloba), locally sourced large-flowered phacelia (Phacelia grandiflora), Kellogs’ snap dragon (Antirrhinum kelloggii), fire poppy (Papaver californicum), and yellow pincushion (Chaenactis glabriuscula). See photos below!

Foothill poppy
(Eschscholzia caespitosa)

Kelloggs’ snap dragon
(Antirrhinum kelloggii)

Theodore Payne Foundation’s Wildfire Story

In 2017, during one of Southern California’s most devastating fire seasons on record, Theodore Payne Foundation came face to face with the very real threat of wildfire. Although we escaped direct damage, the La Tuna Fire burned 5,000 acres, right up to the edge of our headquarters in the Verdugo Mountains. We evacuated twice and access to the neighborhood of La Tuna Canyon was closed by authorities on multiple occasions due to debris flows and subsequent hazardous conditions.

A silver lining to this frightening experience was that it solidified our resolve to share knowledge and resources about California wildfire. Over the next two years we developed a garden tour, held a lecture series by state-wide experts on post-fire ecologies, designed and installed a native plant garden at our local fire station, and explored the horticultural potential of our local fire following species (see below). In the future, we will continue to focus outreach efforts on helping Southern Californians understand wildfire and all of its nuanced implications, and to give them tools to make the best decisions for their safety, and the health of our native ecosystems.

Conservation and Horticultural Exploration

Many of the species represented completely new additions to our landscape, nursery, and seed offerings, including the true form of foothill poppy (Eschscholzia caespitosa), short lobed phacelia, (Phacelia brachyloba), locally sourced large-flowered phacelia (Phacelia grandiflora), Kellogs’ snap dragon (Antirrhinum kelloggii), fire poppy (Papaver californicum), and yellow pincushion (Chaenactis glabriuscula). See photos below!

Fire poppy
(Papaver californicum)

Short lobed phacelia
(Phacelia brachyloba)

Large flowered phacelia
(Phacelia grandiflora)

Yellow pincushion
(Chaenactis glabriuscula)

Foothill poppy
(Eschscholzia caespitosa)

Kelloggs’ snap dragon
(Antirrhinum kelloggii)