The world is stressful right now. Forest bathing can help.

Unfortunately, there’s an awful lot to be anxious about in our world today. One thing that can help you feel more grounded, peaceful, or even hopeful? Reconnecting with nature. Shinrin-yoku—which translates to “forest bathing”—is an ecotherapy practice that originated in Japan, which simply involves spending mindful, restorative time in in a forest or other natural…

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How to find fall color in Southern California

Some people say we don’t have fall in Southern California… and it’s true our seasons do work a little differently here.  Because we have a Mediterranean-type climate, the time of year we call fall is really more like a shift from “hot and dry season” to “cool and wet season.” And because the cool season…

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The Spookiest Hikes to Take in Los Angeles

Spooky season is upon us! And as the weather finally cools down, it’s also one of the best times of the year to get outdoors and take a hike. If you’ve been pining for a way to enjoy nature AND get a little creeped out at the same time, fear not…we’ve rounded up five of…

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What to do when a tree is at risk of being cut down

Our urban forest is a precious resource. Trees help cool our streets in a warming climate, create critical habitat for wildlife, and beautify our neighborhoods, too.  We need to be planting more trees—especially in areas that have historically been disinvested in. And it can be extra frustrating when one is at risk of being cut…

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Anatomy of a Chaparral Ecosystem 

If you’ve been hiking in California, odds are you’ve encountered the chaparral, the most widespread native plant community in the state. Here’s everything you need to know about this amazing (but often under-appraciated) ecosystem: Home to 20 percent of California’s plant species, chaparral is defined by dense, low-lying shrubs like sagebrush, ceanothus, manzanita, and chamise,…

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How to grow native plants in containers

The benefits of growing California native plants are vast: they increase biodiversity by providing habitat and food for native creatures. They’re highly sustainable and low maintenance because they’re adapted to California’s ecosystem. And of course, they’re just plain beautiful! If you have a yard you can rip out and replace with natives—you absolutely should! Our…

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If you can’t beat it, eat it! Five ways to use invasive black mustard

If you live in Southern California, you’re probably familiar with the ubiquitous black mustard plant. Every spring, its bright yellow flowers blanket our hillsides, freeway medians, parks—basically, anywhere there’s a patch of dirt, mustard will grow. It’s a plant that thrives in disturbed areas—and unfortunately, it often disturbs the habitat around it, too. Considered invasive…

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From fire damage to flourishing habitat: TreePeople kicks off $7 million mountain restoration effort

Fire has always been a natural part of California’s ecology. But in recent years, climate change and decreasing biodiversity have resulted in more frequent and larger wildfires in the Angeles National Forest and the adjacent wildland-urban interface. That’s why on May 16, 2024, TreePeople and California Botanic Garden (CalBG) kicked off a $7 million initiative…

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Pruning 101: the TreePeople guide to proper tree pruning

If you’re a homeowner, a landscaping professional, or someone who just cares a lot about the health of your local trees, you’re probably familiar with the practice of pruning.  In its simplest form, pruning involves removing branches from a tree for a specific purpose. But how often should you be doing this? Which branches should…

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