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SAN DIEGO, CA, September 3, 2005 - Quail Botanical Gardens announced today that the Landscape for Fire Safety Garden has undergone a major renovation and will re-open with a ribbon cutting ceremony for sponsors, local dignitaries and media Thursday, September 29 at 5:00 PM, and be open to the general public October 1. The Fire Safety Garden initiative takes a preventative approach to the ever-present problem of wildfires by helping to show San Diego residents ways to minimize wildfire risks through home landscape design. “With our annual wildfire season gaining momentum, we felt it our responsibility to provide local residents with the landscape tools to help minimize their risk of loss to fire,” stated Julian Duval, Quail Botanical Gardens (QBG) executive director.
The invitation-only event will begin with a reception at 4:30 PM, followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony for major donors and local dignitaries at 5:00 PM. Many of the Garden and video sponsors, including San Diego Zoo spokesperson Joan Embrey, plan to attend the ceremony. At 5:30 PM the 30-minute Quail Botanical Garden's produced video Between Wildfires will make its debut in the Ecke Building, followed by a repeat showing at 6:00 PM.
The Landscape for Fire Safety Garden will be open to the public Saturday, October 1st and there will be part of the docent-led tour at 10:00 AM. Additionally, the Between Wildfires video will be screened on Saturday October 1 at 11:30 AM, and 12:30 and 2:00 PM in the Ecke Building at no charge.
Landscape for Fire Safety Garden
In the early 1990's a longtime volunteer, the late Nils Lunnerdal, developed the fire safety demonstration garden to protect the Ecke Building at QBG from wildfires. Working from this foundation, the landscape has recently been updated and upgraded and significantly enlarged with a variety of new plants, a dry stream and pathway and signage improvements.
The first in a series of fire safety gardens, the Undersea Succulent Garden , (featured in the July 2005 issue of Sunset Magazine) was created in front of the most frequently used public building in the Gardens, the Ecke Building. The Landscape for Fire Safety Garden surrounds the building and demonstrates principles and concepts of fire safe landscaping. Diverse and attractive plantings in a buffer zone of defensible space are placed between an adjacent preserve of native coastal sage scrub habitat—a fire-adapted ecosystem—and the structures that need protection. Interpretive signage explains key features of the design and the habitat. Take-home brochures will help homeowners assess their own home's risk factors and suggest strategies to decrease their vulnerability. “It is especially important at this time of year for local residents to be informed about what they can do in their own gardens and neighborhoods to protect themselves from fire,” added Duval.
In addition to the renovations, proper tree care is an essential element in fire safety. Around the Ecke Building, members of the Professional Tree Care Association of San Diego pruned and removed a number of Red River Gum trees that were too close to the building or had been weakened by insects and drought.
San Diego County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and the County of San Diego, San Diego County Community Enhancement Program, and the City of Encinitas funded the Firescape project. San Elijo Joint Powers Authority has supported the installation of recycled water irrigation for most of the landscape.
Between Wildfires Video Premier
The first public screening of the recently completed 30-minute magazine-style video entitled Between Wildfires will take place immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony on September 29. Subjects include wildfire loss reduction, wildfire preparedness, and living with nature and fire. The video project complements QBG's rich suite of educational offerings to county residents and visitors from across the region. “We underwrote this video project, which is scheduled to begin airing on Community Television to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 Firestorms, to bring the message of fire safety landscape design to our neighbors,” added Duval.
Featured speakers/personalities in the Between Wildfires video include ecologist Rick Halsey (chaparral ecologist) in the field, Joan Embrey, firefighter Randy Lyle-CDF, Anne Fege, co-curator of Earth, Wind & WILDFIRE and a Botany Research Associate with the San Diego Natural History Museum, Muriel McElhinney (SD Fire Recovery Network, Education and Outreach), architect Drew Hubbell, landscaper Greg Rubin, and Dave Ehrlinger, Quail Botanical Gardens' director of horticulture. The producer/director, Ken Scheidler, has many years of experience in producing broadcast-quality show material for the ABC affiliate WRTV in Indianapolis. Julian Duval, QBG's executive director hosted, wrote the script, and co-produced the program. The US Forest Service, Moonlight Beach Motel, and the Rotary of Rancho Santa Fe also provided underwriting assistance.
About Quail Botanical Gardens
The mission of Quail Botanical Gardens is to actively participate in the conservation of rare, threatened and endangered plant species, to serve the botanical and horticultural needs of San Diego County, and to exist as an urban retreat. Located on over 35 acres in Encinitas, California, and featuring a multitude of garden environments from desert to rainforest, Quail Botanical Gardens is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization, and exists through the sponsorship of individuals, the community, and grants. For more information, visit https://qbgardens.com, or call 760-436-3036 x206.
Gardens Contact: Julian Duval, Executive Director
760-436-3036 x202
Media Contact: Cynthia Jones
619-204-4231 - cell
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