By: Wendy Langhans

This before and after shot of a Manzanita shows how proper pruning not only makes this native shrub look better but also provides less dead fuel for a wildfire to burn.

In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.   ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

Now is a good time to plan for the next wildfire.  People living in Santa Clarita ought to know what “Defensible Space” means and how to create one around their home.  On Saturday, November 3rd, the University of California Cooperative Extension is offering a Sustainable and Fire-Safe Landscaping workshop at Hart Park in Newhall.  This 3 hour workshop is free and will cover:

How to make your landscape beautiful and fire resistant while being a good neighbor to wildlands.

Tips and techniques on planting, maintenance, and building materials to help you and your home survive the next fire.

You will learn about defensible space, vegetation management, and invasive plants from Cooperative Extension experts, local fire authorities, and wildland managers, and get your own copy of the beautiful SAFE Landscapes 2008 Calendar and Guidebook!

To learn more, go to their website at

http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/

Space is limited and you must pre-register.  To register, call Valerie Borel at UCCE-Los Angeles (323-260-3851) or you can go on-line at: 

http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/

Directions to Hart Park:

Hart Park Hall is located at 24151 North San Fernando Road in Newhall, CA  91321. Their phone number is (661) 259-0855.From the 14 Freeway, exit San Fernando Road/CA-126 and continue north about two miles.  The park entrance will be on your left. From the 5 Freeway, exit Lyons Ave. and continue east about two miles. Turn right on Newhall Ave. and continue for 1/2 mile. Turn right on San Fernando Road. The park entrance will be on your right.

http://parks.lacounty.gov/Parkinfo.

You can listen to stories like this every Friday morning at 7:10 a.m. on "The Hike Report", brought to you by your hometown radio station KHTS (AM1220) and by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

For our complete MRCA hike and activity schedule and for trail maps, go to www.LAMountains.com.