Volunteers help at the Evans Family Garden in Angora Fire burn area

The Evans Family Garden received a makeover on July 1 when members of the California Conservation Corps/Tahoe Center joined representatives of the South Tahoe Public District, Tahoe Resources Conservation District, and members of the Evans family at the site on Mt. Olympia Circle.

The groups weeded, did path rehabilitation, sheet mulching and re-planting.

The garden, developed after the Angora Fire to promote use of native plants, water conservation, BMPs and fire defensible space, uses volunteers and grant funding to educate homeowners regarding their landscaping and conservation practices.

In an effort to “give back” to his beloved neighbors, Owen Evans decided to create a garden on his property after the Angora Fire. Evans moved to the Lake Tahoe area in the late 1940’s after getting a degree in Botany at Cal Berkeley and was hired by the USDA Forest Service. When the Angora Fire destroyed his home on June 24, 2007, he decided not to struggle through a re-build. He did, however, want to stay connect to his neighborhood and create something special for them to see. He decided to plant a garden for them using native vegetation.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Leona Evans Allen at 530-314-0321.