PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, CA PERMIT NO. 835
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THE RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
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VOL. 12, N0. 7
MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Exploring the desert T
he RSF Garden Club organized a tour of the Ricardo Breceda sculptures and spring flowers at Borrego Springs. On March 23 a chartered bus transported 20 people to the desert town, located about two hours northeast of San Diego. The tour started with a close up experience of the larger than life sculptures found in Galleta Meadows. Lunch was served at the de
Anza Country Club. The afternoon activities included a stop at a citrus stand for grapefruit and oranges and then the Borrego Springs Visitor Center. While there, the group was able to watch a short film about the history of Borrego Springs, learn about the native life and plants, and take a walk through a garden where the desert flowers and cactus were in full bloom.
The Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club tours Borrego Springs and the Ricardo Breceda sculptures on March 23. Courtesy photo
The RSF Garden Club has more activities lined up for members and guests. Activities in the upcoming months include two Coffee in the Garden events, the Annual Meeting, a succulent wall display workshop, and the return of the RSF Tag & Craft Sale. For more information on club membership benefits and grant and scholarship programs, call (858) 7561554 and visit rsfgardenclub.org.
Drought, pests affecting trees in RSF By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — The topic of trees in Rancho Santa Fe is an important discussion varying from their current state of health to fire safety. Leading the discussion at the last Rancho Santa Fe Association (RSFA) board meeting was field operations manager at the Association, Arnold Keene. He described 2016 to date as an interesting year so far. “I would say generally the trees are in pretty good health with the exception of the red gum. We’ve got pepper trees that seem to be thriving and a lot of the other trees that make up our community are actually doing pretty well,” he said. Keene pointed out that majority of the trees in the Ranch were comprised of the red gum eucalyptus tree. The Ranch did have other varieties of eucalyptus that were more resistant to pests such as the lerp psyllid. The red gum variety wasn’t as resilient to it. “So it’s the red gum that we really have to focus on,” Keene said. He also added how pine trees were being killed at a rapid pace by the pine beetle. One week the tree will have a brown path, and a few weeks later, the pine tree is dead. He told the board and members that residents must be careful when applying chemicals on these trees. In addition to the pests, Keene
In addition to pests, Arnold Keene says that trees in Rancho Santa Fe have had to compete for very limited resources of water and nutrients in the soil. Photo by Tony Cagala
said that trees have had to compete for said. Keen then branched off into fire very limited resources of water and nurisks. trients in the soil. He shared how his department is “I think we are starting to see the forest thin out a bit and as a reaction to the limited resources available,” he TURN TO TREES ON 23
APRIL 1, 2016
“We are here today because we have a major problem here in the Covenant area,” says Bill Beckman, chair of the Committee on the Natural Environment. Photo by Christina Macone-Greene
Committee seeks to ‘reforest the Ranch’ By Christina Macone-Greene Ranch, and possibly, with
RANCHO SANTA FE — The thick canopy of trees in Rancho Santa Fe has thinned out over the years. In an effort to restore this picturesque memory, the Committee on the Natural Environment (CONE) is launching a collaborative movement named “Reforesting Rancho Santa Fe.” On March 21, both residents and key members of organizations were present to help champion this cause at a meeting held at the RSF Fire Protection District Station 1. Navigating the meeting was CONE chair, Bill Beckman. “We are here today because we have a major problem here in the Covenant area,” said Beckman, adding how the trees have changed since his move to the Ranch 15 years ago. He added, “You’re not looking at a leafy tree canopy. You’re looking at a lot of tree trunks with some foliage hanging on to those trees that are still alive.” Beckman described it as a different experience. And because of this, Beckman hoped the community could come together to reforest Rancho Santa Fe. “If we do, we make a difference. If we don’t, it won’t,” he said. Beckman shared that the purpose of the meeting was to take the steps needed to form a group to trigger the push to reforest the
different trees. Beckman’s goal was to engage the people present along with any entities they represented for that effort. “If we don’t do it, who will?” he asked the group. For the replanting tree effort, Beckman said, he couldn’t think of any-
You’re looking at a lot of tree trunks with some foliage hanging on to those trees that are still alive.” Bill Beckman Chair, CONE
thing else that was “dollar for dollar” a greater value or with a greater future for the Covenant area. “It’s just a no-brainer in terms of the property value impact, and the experience that we all look for in the Ranch,” he said. Taking part in the meeting was RSFA manager Bill Overton, RSFA field operations manager ArTURN TO CONE ON 23
Check Out Our Article On Page 16