Defensible space advocate helps her community
October 20, 2007
For Particia Owens, 65, community service is a way of life. She said she learned from her family to give back to the community, and has always been involved in community affairs.
"I am involved in the community with defensible space and other issues because I want to be the best citizen I can," Owens said. "And I want to leave kids with values."
Owens' latest project is as a board member in Woddminster, a condo complex in Incline Village. She is the defensible-space chairwoman and has volunteered her time to the condo community for about eight years.
"I try to stay informed so I can update others," Owens said. "That way we know how to preserve the beauty of the lake, but also be fire safe. We have to respect the wildlife."
Owens has lived at Tahoe for 18 years. She is a substitute schoolteacher with a background in political science, works part-time for the Census Bureau and volunteers at several community activities in Incline Village. She said she cherishes the beauty of the lake and thinks people living in the area should be aware of the policies and requirements imposed by Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the fire district regarding defensible space, a voluntary constructed clear area surrounding homes and businesses created for fire protection.
"I probably pull out hundreds of little pine trees for defensible space," Owens said. "You need to manicure your area for the trees to grow healthy."
Owens regularly reads the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza, stays in contact with officials responsible for defensible space implementation, like forester Jeff Cutler from North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District, and goes to public meetings focused on landscaping in Tahoe. She educates herself and stays updated on changes in policies, which, as a result of the Angora fire, are to be made soon.
"I'd like to see mandatory defensible space with clear rules," Owens said. "I want to know when agencies will come in terms on what the new rules will be."
Owens got involved in defensible-space management because, she said, she sees getting others to understand the importance of defensible space can be challenging. She also is trying to convince the rest of condo owners that defensible space and Best Management Practices can work together well.
For Owens, lack of awareness is the biggest environmental problem in Lake Tahoe. She said she tries to find the perfect medium between the policies of TRPA concerning BMPs and North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District's about defensible space.
"We want to see the lake still beautiful, and in my community we are looking how to balance defensible space requirements and BMPs," Owens concluded.
Owens said second-home owners and people who want to keep the forest untouched are the most difficult opponents stopping the Woodminster's landscaping improvements.
"People, who don't live here on a daily basis don't understand the pressing importance of defensible space," she said. "But I understand that for the forest health we need to thin some of the trees out, even if they are naturally beautiful."
Owens enjoys being active. Her future plans include finishing the defensible project in her condo area, which is now 25 percent complete, and being involved in other neighborhood projects.
"Helping people is very satisfactory, and it is important to be proactive," Owens declared.
Related posts: [ Groups help resolve landscaping issues ] [ Forum points actions to resolve BMP problems ] [ Keeping Tahoe Green ] [ Hispanics attend landscaping class ] [ South Lake neighborhood lives on, even without houses ]
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