Do you find it challenging to balance your commitment to native plants, water conservation, and wildfire safety? This class with special guest presenter, Nikki Hanson of California Sisters Landscaping shows us how to achieve this balance while learning to landscape with native plants that conserve water and maintain defensible space for wildfire protection.
Class Resources
Topics Covered
- Fire resistant landscaping and how it differs from ordinary landscaping
- Strategies of where to plant vs. what not to plant
- Choosing the right plants
- Maintenance and Irrigation
- LAHCFD Programs and Services
This class was presented on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, by LAHCFD’s Operations Project Manager, Paige Russell, and Nikki Hanson of California Sisters Landscaping. Additional support was provided by LAHCFD Community Education and Risk Reduction team members Denise Gluhan and Dee King Raub.
About the Presenters
LAHCFD is honored to welcome back Nikki Hanson of California Sisters Landscapes. With 17 years of experience growing native and Mediterranean plants, Hanson brings deep expertise and a passion for creating beautiful fire-smart landscapes. She has served on the board of the South Skyline Fire Safe Council and is committed to helping communities thoughtfully integrate native plants into wildfire-resilient design.
Fire Captain Russell (ret.) has worked as the Operations Project Manager for LAHCFD since 2023. Her primary responsibility is developing and continuously improving the District’s Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Program. Captain Russell enjoys conducting HIZ assessments because they allow her to connect directly with LAHCFD residents and meet them where they are in their journey to reduce wildfire risk. Through both the fire science and firsthand experience on large wildfire incidents, she has seen how zero-zone mitigation and home-hardening efforts can significantly reduce risk.
Contact: [email protected]
