Dozens of Topanga residents came out to West Basin’s firescaping workshop and left with valuable knowledge to protect their homes and properties from potential future wildfires. In partnership with the City of Topanga, the Topanga Town Council, Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts, Metropolitan Water District, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, West Basin hosted this workshop at the Topanga Library on May 8, to teach participants about helpful and practical fire-resistant landscaping practices.
The in-person workshop welcomed 46 attendees and was led by subject matter expert Douglas Kent, MS, MLA. Kent, an author, activist, educator and specialist in ecological land management, has worked to create fire-protected communities since 1993. He teaches at USC’s School of Architecture and UCLA Extension Horticulture/Landscape Design and is the author of the book Firescaping: Protecting Your Home with a Fire-Resistant Landscape.
In addition, Ryan Ulyate, Co-President of the Topanga Council Fire Safe Council, spoke about practical ways people can help keep their communities safe, and Benjamin Orton shared information on how the Santa Monica Bay Watershed Safe Clean Water Program works with communities to create projects that capture and clean stormwater.
Are you disappointed that you missed this educational workshop? All workshop resources from PowerPoint slide show to videos to partnership program resources are available for viewing at www.westbasin.org/firescaping.
West Basin hosts several firescaping workshops throughout the year. Sign up for the District newsletter so stay informed of the next scheduled event.