The devastating wind-driven Angora Fire of 2007, which destroyed 254 homes near Lake Tahoe, left behind fertile ground for the growth of community spirit. Evidence of that is a new community garden being developed on land where the home of Owen Evans stood since 1978, according to a story in the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza. The home was one of Angora's casualties, but before he died of congestive heart failure in December, Evans decided his lot should be turned into a community garden.
“His passion was the environment,” his daughter was quoted in the article. “I just think this is a really positive legacy for him, something positive the community can embrace.”
The garden will contain native plants, and include demonstrations of defensible space, and proper erosion-control measures known as Best Management Practices.
The article noted that UC Cooperative Extension is developing a set of voluntary landscaping guidelines for residents of the area burned by the Angora fire.
“The goal of this project is to develop a vision for a future landscape that integrates defensible space, water quality, wildlife, and aesthetic values,” the story quoted an article in an Angora community newsletter.