Clay Soil and So. Cal Edison...

[Anonymous]

I'm a high school student in the Santa Clarita Valley - outskirts of L.A. and have been generally interested in conservation for a while now, though more so with birds than plants. I'm writing to ask if anyone knows of some specific plants to this area Santa Clarita Valley - we have clay soil and what I think would be called oak grasslands though I'm not sure if they are Valley or Coast Live Oak. I've been wanting to turn a plot in our yard into a native area since the field across from our house underneath So. Cal Edison that harbors so much wildlife is mowed and plowed annually as a fire hazard, destroying habitat and many plants/animals in the process. If anyone could offer me advice it would be greatly appreciated, esp. because my Key Club volunteering chapter is also looking to become more involved in local environmental issues. Thank you. -Bobby Walsh</p>

[Anonymous]

Bobby -

I don't know if anyone from a Southern California chapter of CNPS contacted you, but they are the people you should talk to.

You might be able to get names and phone numbers for the LA/Santa Monica Mountains Chapter from the CNPS website under 'Local Chapters' - just call them!

In Northern California, there are native bunchgrasses they're bunchy and perennial and bulbs like Triteleia laxa, that are native under oaks. I hope you can make contact with some CNPS people down there, as I'm not sure what grows under oaks in So Cal.

Good luck,

Lori H.</p>