Wildflowers, native grasses, oak saplings, perennials of white sage and wild currents, and fire-safe succulents were all available at the recent Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) plant sale that was part of a weekend of activities related to safety and rural lifestyles.
The event, which took place under the oaks at Golden Heart Ranch in Triunfo Canyon, included expert advice on creating a drought tolerant, firesafe garden. Rattlesnake aversion training for dogs was also offered at the event.
MRT project manager and restoration expert Amy Yuelapwan told the Messenger Mountain News that the event is part of the MRT’s new Flora and Fire outreach program designed to provide garden guidance and inspiration.
The program, which seeks to make local gardens more fire resistant, less water dependent, and friendlier to wildlife, was developed from firsthand experience; MRT’s headquarters at Headwater Corner in Calabasas was destroyed during the Old Fire that burned 516 acres in 2016.
“We want to reach out to people to let them know about fire-safe and native plants,” Yuelapwan said.
The next MRT event is a Calabasas Garden Tour on April 7, co-sponsored by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants. The tour features three Calabasas homes, each landscaped with at least 50 percent California natives. Docents will be on hand to discuss design and maintenance techniques that minimize danger to the home, including plant selection and home preparation.
Participants must pre-register: Fee is $5 with a $1.09 processing fee.
To register or for more information, including upcoming rattlesnake aversion training sessions, native plant events and opportunities to volunteer, visit http://www.mountainstrust.org.
