Rehydrate the Land, Reduce the Risk

For too long, we’ve been told that the best way to defend against wildfire is to strip the land bare. But that story ignores science and leaves out the buried history. The most dangerous fires in Los Angeles history didn’t come from "overgrown vegetation.” They came from a century of engineering nature out of the city. Yet for over a century, that’s exactly what we’ve done. And now, we’re burning.

From the draining of wetlands to the paving of creeks to the installation of desiccating technologies like sand drains, Los Angeles has systematically dried out its land—and paid the price in heat, dust, and flame. It’s time to reverse course.

Shady, moisture-holding gardens are inspired not just by fire science, but by history. They restore ecological function, moderate temperatures, and offer a living buffer against embers and heat. These are not just gardens. They are acts of ecological memory and urban repair.

This site is your guide to designing lush, low-water, fire-wise gardens that resist ignition and reconnect us with a living Los Angeles.