Pala Environmental Department

09/23/2026

You may have seen the Pala Wildlands Fuels Crew working behind some of the neighborhoods this week. The Crew has been cleaning up the regrowth of vegetation in our fuel breaks that protect the communities from wildfire and allow access for emergency vehicles. Autumn here always means the chance for a stretch of hot, dry, and windy weather, so be sure to remove weeds and dry brush around your home.

09/23/2026

Are you signed up for the Planet Pala newsletter? This month there's a story in the Cupeño language, photos of Témevicham (mountain lions), info on our household hazardous waste program, and more.

Follow this link to sign up for our Planet Pala newsletter:

https://ped.palatribe.com/links/?mc_cid=9665fdb20d&mc_eid=58c3a6ed66

09/22/2026

The Pala Transfer Station will be closed Friday, September 25th. Curbside recycling will be picked up on Thursday, September 24th. The Transfer Station will reopen on Saturday.

09/22/2026

This is the first time a sea turtle is known to have nested anywhere on the West Coast, according to NOAA Fisheries.

Read more: https://ktla.com/news/california/sea-turtle-nests-on-southern-california-beach-for-first-time-in-recorded-history/

09/21/2026

The CDC has issues a Health Advisory for rabies. Rabies cases have increased in 2026 in wild animals. If you are bitten by or come into contact with a wild mammal - like a skunk, raccoon, coyote, bat, squirrel, etc. - seek immediately medical attention. San Diego has tested a record high number of rabid bats and it is likely in other mammals as well. Please keep pets vaccinated against this deadly disease. .

For more information, see: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html

09/18/2026

The larger bird with the white wing patches in this video enjoying the pond in the Pala People's Garden is a Tamáwet (Mimus polyglottos). Tamáwetim are known for the ability to immitate a variety of sounds include other birds, dogs, cats, frogs, and even car alarms. In fact the scientific name Mimus polyglottos means "Mimic of many languages". Our local Tamáwetim are one of many spcies of mockingbirds found throughout the Americas.

09/17/2026

Another Kísily (Astur cooperii) visited the Pala People's Garden. This individual appears to be a juvenile Cooper's hawk and not our larger red-tailed (Buteo jamaicensis) or red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus). I haven't positively IDed this Kísily though as Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus) look very similar when not in flight. Which species do you think it is?

These smaller Kísilyim feed on a wide variety of prey, often feeding on smaller birds, bats, lizards, rodents, and even fish.

09/17/2026

09/16/2026

The Pala Wildland Fuels Crew was doing some hose and water pump training today. Our trucks are equpped with large water tanks and pumps so that any sparks can be quickly suppresed when using power tools. We also use hoses and water pumps during pile burns and habitat restoration work.

09/15/2026

We have been running low on some designs because they are so popular, but we still have plenty of stickers. Visit us next time you are in the Pala Admin Building or stop by our booth at one of our outreach events. Most of these stickers are illustrated by someone in our office and feature the Cupeño names for these plants and animals.
We also have educational and outreach material on a variety of environmental and safety topics available.