THE CHAPARRALIAN A periodic journal focusing on the importance of nature and how it can inspire us
The Chaparralian is sent to Institute members via email. If you would like to take a look at a few samples of our work, please feel free to download any of the issues highlighted below. To be able to view all our issues and support our work, please consider joining the Institute by visiting our Join/Donate page.
#43 Why Large Fires (9/13):An excellent essay on changing the way we think by Dylan Tweed, a paper on why the fire suppression paradigm for southern California has been rejected by the scientific community, and a beautiful photo essay on the painted lady butterflies of the chaparral.
#42 Defending the Chaparral (4/13): Some thoughts about the seemingly endless attempts to clear habitat, The Irresponsibility Complex - Why should land managers ignore environmental laws that ask them to be responsible? Lichens of the Chaparral: Wolfbane - For werebears in the chaparral? Bill Howell, a True Chaparralian - a portrait of our latest honoree. Plus some great photos of some beautiful, old-growth chaparral!
#41 Double Bouquets (12/12):Been Dead for Awhile - Part III where Hart laments, "All I was seeing were naked nymphs and satyrs dancing in the elfin forest. This was killing me." Also a fascinating look at the sunflower family in Double Bouquets of Sunflowers, selected poetry, and a fun photo essay on Chaparral Doggies.
#40 Truth (5/12):The story of the decade-long effort to convince intransigent government officials that science matters and that the chaparral ecosystem has value. In the name of fire protection, San Diego County attempted to establish a plan that could have allowed it to clear tens of thousands of acres of native habitat without proper oversight as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The lead article in this issue was first serialized on the Independent Voter Newtwork website.
#39 Been Dead for Awhile - Part II (8/11): Includes a beautiful photo essay on old-growth chaparral, an article by Roger Klemm on how to propagate manzanitas from cuttings, and Part II of the ongoing story "Been Dead for Awhile" which first appeared in The Chaparralian #38.
#38 The ShrubPeople (5/11): The impact of money, a new story about three characters trying to find their own paths through life while trying to make a difference in the world, a wonderful poem, and an exclusive research paper on chaparral lichen.
#36-37 Dreams (2/11): A special double issue focusing on the importance of following one'sdreams by following the film production of thethriller, "Rites of Passage," starring Ryan Donowho (cover photo), Kate Maberly, Travis Van Winkle,Wes Bentley, and Christian Slater.
#35 Going On and On (9/10):A bright young man describes how the meaning of life, nature, and girls can be found in the chaparral, an essay on extinction by Bill Howell, and poetry by Nicholas and Jake Halsey.
#34 Don't Call It Brush! (8/10):An historical examination of anti-chaparral rhetoric plus Bill Howell's view of the female tarantuala hawk's deadly habits, and poetry from our Chaparral Laureate, Nancy Jordan.
#33 The Canyon (12/09):This issue includes an interesting article about chaparral dragonflies by Bill Howell, more wonderful poetry by Nancy Jordan, and Jim Hart returns with his story about how he discovered the chaparral while teaching high school biology.
#32: Learning (11/09):Three young boys from Kathmandu share an important story in this issue. And focusing on the importance of education, we provide a very readable six page guide for 5th to 8th graders entitled, "The Chaparral Habitat for Young Chaparralians." It provides all the basic details about chaparral in a way that will be enjoyable to most kids. Also in this issue are more beautiful poems by Nancy Jordan and a fascinating story about a walking toothbrush.
#31 One is Actually Many (8/09):We reach back in time to visit a notable Chaparralian's childhood with a story about the importance of passing along one's passion for nature. The main focus of the issue is the concept of "naturalistic intelligence," the creative force all Chaparralians possess. We've also included some wonderful poetry by Nancy Jordan and a unique look by Bill Howell at one of the chaparral's fuzzy inhabitants, the velvet ant.
#30 The Chumash (7/09):A special issue with a brand new format focusing on the Chumash Indians and their relationship to Datura and the spirit world; Datura, Chungichnish, and Art; Flower Power Hooks Hawk; New Wilderness Bill Signed by President Obama.
Older Issues
#29 The First Chaparralians(12/08): A Tribute to Parents.
#28 Threats to the Chaparral (10/08): A complete discussion of how the chaparral is being threatened by fire, the fear of fire, and the exploitation of fear. We examine the Southern California/Baja fire mosaic hypothesis (the Myth of Fire Suppression III), how chaparral is being threatened by too many fires, and a recent publication by the Forest Foundation that lays out a plan to turn protected wildlands into tree farms and biofuel. Other articles include "Condors are Soaring Above California Skies", Memories of the 2007 Witch fire, and "Some Hope Amongst the Threats."
#27 Saline Valley (7/08): An interesting expedition into Saline Valley, the most desolate place in California, The Marshal South story, and a wonderful tale about the yucca moth and the yucca plant by Bill Howell.
#26 Ancient Manzanitas (5/08): An adventure to find the ancient manzanitas of Agua Tibia, USFS firefighters need your help, a re-discovered lichen that is only found in old-growth chaparral, Part II of the Myth of Fire Suppression, and Tom Chester: A True Chaparralian.
#25 The Myth of Fire Suppression (12/07): Includes part one of a three part story on how the science of fire suppression has been twisted to create a false "one-size-fits-all" land management policy. Also commentary on why the "fuel-centric" approach to fire risk reduction is dangerous.
#24 2007 Fire Update (10/07): This was a special edition email note sent out during the 2007 Firestorm in Southern California.
#23 The National Chaparral Recreation Plan (9/07): This issue contained our first proposal to change the way the four National Forests in Southern California are classified and managed. The proposal has now been revised. Details available on our Nat. Forest Plan page). Also included in this issue was the article, "Global Warming, Politics, and Science."
#22 Chaparral Wisdom (5/07): A special issue focusing on the value of nature, a perspective on wildland firefighter training, and Jon E. Keeley: a True Chaparralian.
#21 The Cedar Fire (12/06): A preliminary report on a three year study. Also report on the Fire Ecology Congress held in San Diego by Jim Hart, more on Sierra Nevada forest fires, "With the Cedar fire Incident Commander" by Randy Lyle, and a new book announcement: The Hamster Revolution by Vicki Halsey, et al., a great story about how to manage email before it manages you!
#20 Desert Fires and Invasive Weeds (8/06): The 2006 Sawtooth fire (San Bernardino National Forest), the fire's impact on spreading invasive weeds, Richard D. Hawkins: a True Chaparralian, Forest fires in the western Sierra Nevada, a perspective on invasive weeds in Arizona, Fire in Pioneertown: a conversation with Jim Hart, introducing the Fire Square.
#19 The Sierra Fire (4/06): Its impact on the Tecate Cypress (Cleveland National Forest).
#18 Earthquake Suppression (2/06): A parody by Jim Hart, Soccer and chaparral part II, Ione chaparral final installment.
#17 Wildland Fire Research and Ione Chaparral (12/05): Latest fire research from USGS, Ione chaparral part II, Soccer and chaparral.
#16 Foresters and Firefighters (11/05): Chaparral and the CDF, Ione chaparral part I, What to do after a fire.
