Living in the Foothills – A Unique Environmental Challenge
June 13, 2019 - The beauty and challenges of the foothills make it a “unique” place to live, said Jeannie Habben, a Coarsegold resident for 27 years and the new Deputy Director of Water and Natural Resources for Madera County.
On Saturday, June 29, 2019, Habben will present a workshop at the Oakhurst Branch Library that addresses the challenges to living safer in the foothills of Eastern Madera County with a focus on water, fire, weeds, building options and wells. The presentation from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon will be held in the library’s Community Room at 49044 Civic Circle Drive in Oakhurst.
For example, Habben cautions people to watch what you plant in your yard, because if it’s an invasive plant, it can take over the foothills.
“This happened when one landowner decided the grow St. John’s Wart for homeopathic cures. Now, we have the largest invasive mass of this plant in the state of California” she explained.
After more than 20 years working with people in Human Resources in various industries, Habben made the switch to work on environmental issues and now likes to say that she lives what she speaks and believes.
“While building our home, my husband and I made it nearly fire-proof and net zero while at the same time fighting to change several ordinances with the county planning and building department along the way,” she said.
Net zero means that if your home or office, for example, is working at net zero energy, it is producing as much or more energy as it is using.
“In fact, our home was featured in two PBS episodes of the “The Green Planet” series as well as in other publications referred to as “Trail Blazing Extreme Green,” she continued.
Prior to her new position with Madera County, Habben was a Watershed Coordinator/Environmental Consultant in the foothills and Madera valley for 15 years. She has a degree in Human Resource Management and Organizational Development. She now works on various water and natural resource issues for Madera County.
The free event is sponsored the Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library. For more information, call (559) 683-4838 or visit www.oakhurstfobl.com.
Source: Oakhurst Branch Library
