Fire defensive gardens protect more than homes – they protect lives
When Teresa Mackey’s garden was featured on the 2021 Native Plant Garden Tour, she learned just how carefully it had been designed to defend her and her home from fire. A long time volunteer with the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firefighters Fund (WODFFF), Teresa quickly learned the ins-and-outs of fire defensive landscaping.
Tour the Garden with Teresa
Teresa showcased her understanding of fire defensive landscaping and the benefits of living within a native plant garden in the summer+fall edition of the online tour.
Teresa’s expertise shined during the Wildfire Risk Reduction Forum hosted by USGBC-LA (Now USGBC California) in a conversation led by Theodore Payne Foundation’s Erin Johnson.
Project Snapshot
The Mackey’s meadow and surrounding landscape are as vibrant as Teresa’s laugh. The abundant Coast Live Oak canopy on neighboring properties provides a layer of ember-catching fire defense, and the ember resistant materials used near the home help it resist ignition.
See more photos and the plant palette of Teresa’s Garden in our project profiles. Get a jumpstart briefing on fire defensive landscaping or peruse our fire defensive landscaping tips in our resources section.
