Chaparral

The maritime chaparral environment is the primary ecosystem in the York Outdoor Lab and an important regional biome. Chaparral is a semi-arid shrubland with dry soil and a Mediterranean climate of mild and wet winters (in theory) and hot dry summers.

The chaparral environment is naturally fire resistant. In fact, fire activity in the chaparral helps native species that are specially adapted to this. Native plant species in the outdoor lab include manzanita, black sage, and chamise.

Native animals include bobcats, coyotes, deer, turkeys, lizards, and rabbits. Look for their tracks and scat (poop, feces, droppings, etc.) in the dirt as you walk.

coyote scat

bird, coyote, and human tracks