LAND STEWARDSHIP

Our rolling hills are so beautiful, though overgrazed and eroded.  One tree is a drop in a bucket, and you can see that our overgrazed land does not have many trees. 

For the past 3 years we have planted 730 trees of various sizes.  In 2007 we plan to continue our planting efforts with 500 seedlings of Pine, Cedar and Redwood from the Reforestation Center, as well as the frequent trips to the local Nursery where more mature trees are available.

soon to go in the ground trees 

Trees have been our main focus because they provide habitat for birds, shade for humans and change the microclimate of the land.  They also take a long time to grow, so the sooner they get in the ground, the better.  Ironically, we neighbor a commercial nursery that will not sell to the individual.

Tree varieties that grow on our property:

Valley Oaks, Blue Oaks, Atlas Mount Pistachios, Eucalyptus, Redwoods, Sycamores both California and London Plane trees, Fruitless Mulberries, Tulip Trees, Birches, Aleppo Pines, Coulter Pines, Ponderosa Pines, Deodar Cedars, Incence Cedars, Weeping Willows, Curly Willows, Honey Locusts, Stone Pines, Italian Cypresses, Olives, Cherries, Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines, Persimmons, Apples, Pears, Plums, Pomegranates, Flowering Pears, Silktrees,

Species of animals spotted on our land:

Mammals: Cayotes, Jackrabbits, Deer, Mountain Lion (spotted on our land by a neighbor), Badger (spotted by another neighbor), Mice and Rats, Gophers, Moles, Cats, Border Collies, Voles,

Birds: Burrowing Owls, Barn Owls, Orioles, Meadowlarks, Hawks, White Herons, Ducks, Mallards, Geese, Buzzards, Barn Swallows, Woodpeckers and Flickers (damn them, turning our house into swiss cheese), Sparrows, Bush Tits, Pigeons, Wild Turkeys, Phesants,

 Reptiles and Amphibians: Frogs and Toads, Lizards, Rattlesnake,