Here are a couple more of Africa AND Big Sur!
Month: July 2014
Support for PV School’s Organic Garden
Kate, I am trying to drum up support from the Big Sur community and avid visitors to validate that the improvements to Pacific Valley School’s existing organic garden described in the attached site plan will provide a legitimate new public access opportunity for visitors. I have a funding source that wants to contribute $75K towards this project but one of the parties that oversees this funding source needs to be convinced the public access opportunity is legitimate (and not a private benefit to the school). The fund overseer doesn’t know the South Coast very well and so they don’t understand that the School is uniquely located walking distance to the South Coast’s primary visitor access areas (Sand Dollar Beach and Plaskett Campground). Moreover, the Pacific Valley School already hosts a number of public events including the Jade Festival, the Spring Tide Festival, and the Earth Day Hike where folks could easily saunter over to the garden. All in all, it would be easy for folks to explore the garden while enjoying a sunset picnic. There will be benches and picnic tables along with interpretive signs to share local history and the unique qualities of Pacific Valley School (which is completely off the grid).
The garden would be open weekends, holidays, and after school hours (the times of greatest visitor use). No trees will be removed for the garden upgrades and no slopes will be graded. Notices will be posted at the Sand Dollar and Plaskett bulletin boards to invite the public to explore the garden. The proposed fencing is just open mesh deer fencing to avoid any visual distractions from Highway One.
I’m feel strongly about this project because I camp with my kids at Plaskett and know that other visitors would enjoy exploring the gardens and its views. If I can get a handful of 2 or 3 sentence emails of support, I feel good we can get this funding in place. Folks can just send a quick email to pacificvalleygarden@yahoo.com . (Ed. Note – Angus told me he would like to gather these emails by July 10th.)
Fireworks Prohibited in the Los Padres National Forest (& Big Sur & Cambria, etc.)
NEWS RELEASE
Los Padres National Forest
For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759
Twitter: @LosPadresNF
Los Padres Reminds Fourth of July Visitors of Fireworks Ban
GOLETA, CA, July 1, 2014…Los Padres officials are reminding Fourth of July visitors that the possession or use of fireworks—including the “safe and sane” variety—is strictly prohibited in the forest at all times. Rangers and law enforcement officers patrolling the forest will be strictly enforcing the ban throughout the long weekend.
A violation of the law could result in a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail. In addition, anyone causing a wildfire is potentially liable for all costs associated with suppressing the fire.
The Forest asks that all visitors take the following precautions to prevent wildfires:
· Contact the Ranger Station nearest your destination for the latest conditions.
· Campfires are permitted in Campfire Use Sites only and must be attended at all times.
· Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf). You must clear all flammable material for a distance of 10 feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel and water available nearby, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.
· Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.
· Internal or external combustion engines require properly installed, functional spark arresters. This requirement is in effect year-round.
Make sure all campfires are “dead out” before you leave the Campfire Use Site. Avoid parking vehicles on grass, as hot engines can ignite dry vegetation. Report any suspicious activity to the nearest Forest Service Officer or Ranger Station. To report a fire or other emergency, call 911.