Outdoors Features
In depth stories about places to go, things to see and what to know. Focusing on the Santa Barbara area but featuring the western states.
Loquat Trees
Fruiting and Ornamental, Provide a Handsome Garden Backdrop
Fruiting and ornamental, loquat trees can provide shade or a handsome backdrop to the rest of the garden. Read story.
Nature’s Medicine Cabinet
Sue Reinhart’s Fascinating and Useful Medicinal Plant Cards of the Tri-County Region
Here’s a look at Sue Reinhart’s fascinating and useful Medicinal Plant Cards of the tri-county region. Read story.
Polar Bear Capital of the World
A Chilling Visit to Churchill, Manitoba
A Canadian adventure to Churchill, Manitoba is chilling in more ways than one. Read story.
Winter Succulents
Aloes are Blooming
Thousands of fleshy spires are emerging from their green rosettes of leaves and soon the millions of tubular flowers that they support will begin to color and open. Read story.
Twigs
Bare Twigs Make for Lovely Arrangements
Bare twigs can be quite architectural in their own right. Read story.
Bye-Bye to Backcountry Fishing?
To Save the Steelhead, Environmentalists Work to Shut Down Anglers on Sespe and Sisquoc Creeks
To save the endangered steelhead, environmentalists are working to shut down anglers on the Sespe and Sisquoc creeks. Read story.
Fall Flora
What the Season Brings
One harbinger of late summer and fall is the “chicken of the woods” that without fanfare appears at the base of (in our area, mainly) eucalyptus trees. Read story.
New Roots
Propagating Plants with Stem Cuttings
Probably the best-known method of propagating plants is by taking stem cuttings. Read story.
“Foot by Foot” for the Franklin Trail
Carpinterians Push to Raise $100,000 to Reopen Historic Route from Frontcountry to Forest
This Saturday, Carpinterians hope to raise $100,000 to reopen the historic route from the frontcountry to the Los Padres. Read story.
Otters or Shellfish?
Endangered Species’ Fans and Foes Chime In on Plan to End Government’s Failed Program
Endangered species’ fans and foes chime in on plan to end government’s failed program. Read story.
Helping Government Help the Channel Islands
Introducing the Channel Islands Sanctuary Foundation
This Friday marks the official launch date of the Channel Islands Sanctuary Foundation. Read story.
Project Budburst
Find a Plant, Write Down What It's Doing, and Report What You See
Fall Into Phenology event is designed to amass as many observations as possible from September 17-26. Read story.
Pome Fruits
Fall is Apple and Pear Season
Fall is apple and pear season. Read story.
Ocean Friendly Gardens
Tips and Classes for Creating Sea-Safe Landscapes
Tips and classes for creating sea-safe sea landscapes. Read story.
Shooting Arrows at Cachuma’s Carp
Fishermen Finding New Fun in Bow-Hunting for Big Catch
Fishermen are finding out how fun it is to bow-hunt for a big catch up at Lake Cachuma. Read story.
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