News
More Than Just a Median
As we go through the seasons, one constant is for sure: nature has the last word. We are only caretakers, never really in charge, which makes the journey more fun, mysterious, and serendipitous. One mysterious aspect is how a once blank slate could become home to so...
Novato Volunteer Award for Marcia Basalla
We are thrilled to share that the city of Novato has officially recognized Marcia Basalla. The Novato Volunteer Award was presented to Marcia on February 24, 2026, to celebrate her incredible dedication. Turning a simple traffic island on Alameda del Prado into a...
“In Support of Randomness” (Keeping the Wild Alive)
On a TV piece, the broadcaster characterized the island plantings as “random,” rather than orderly, responding to a neighborhood group’s contention that there is no real design. Over the past 15 years, I have learned that nature has its own order. After the initial...
Late Summer Statements
Many people, including myself, love Spring over the other seasons, but I would like to introduce you to plants that thrive and make their “statement “in the Summer and Fall, providing bright color when most plants are winding down for the winter. These plants provide...
Coyote Brush, A Resilient Shrub
Coyote Brush - Baccharis pilularus An overlooked and sometimes maligned shrub due to its invasive nature is the Coyote Brush. It is found in large numbers all around the island. These shrubs are “volunteers” planted by nature from seeds of the existing shrubs in the...
Transforming a Traffic Island into a Vibrant Ecosystem
We hope you enjoy watching our short video that captures some of the plants blooming at the Pacheco Valle Biodiversity Project. See how Marcia Basalla and her group of dedicated volunteers transformed a traffic island on Alameda del Prado in Novato into something...
The “Blue Cloud” is Coming
Every spring, when the island’s floral display comes alive, one of the first flowers to emerge is Sisyrinchium bellum or Blue-Eyed Grass. It is commonly found in native grasslands and meadows. In 2009, with the island’s first planting, we began with a dozen or so...
Traffic Island Biodiversity Habitats: Small Spaces, Big Impact
Can traffic islands on our roads really significantly impact biodiversity in nature? Join us to find out! Come to the Marin Green Drinks mixer on April 8, 2025. Marcia Basalla of Pacheco Valle Biodiversity will be talking about Biodiversity Habitats and introduce us...
Western Fence Lizard
A bonus while working on the island is observing the myriad wildlife around me. One of these critters is the ubiquitous Western Fence Lizard or “Blue Belly.” Scaloporous occidentalis, so called “Swifts” for their remarkable speed, and can be seen sunning themselves...
Lets Talk Quail
In 1931 the California quail was designated as our state bird Callipepla californica. Callipepla means "lovely woven robe." their heavy bodies and strong legs equip them for life on the ground rather than flight. They rarely fly further than nearby trees or shrubs to...