#DISCOVERCARMELRIVER - OUR NATIVE TREES

The view across the Carmel River Valley is shrouded in fog today, a natural shield protecting us from extreme heat as the rest of California swelters. We've always heard that inland heat pulls moisture from the ocean, bringing rain as the water vapor travels over land. However, scientist Anastasis Makarieva's biotic pump theory reveals that forests actively draw in the rain they need. Trees aren't just passive recipients of weather; their transpiration processes within clouds gather and release rain, replenishing our watershed. As water moves through trees and into the soil, it sustains our environment and helps prevent fires. While some advocate for cutting trees and native vegetation to reduce fire risk, watershed science shows the importance of maintaining these natural systems. Keeping beneficial native vegetation in place helps hold water in the system, providing crucial fire prevention and water resources.