Latest News
SWPL Fire Preparedness Chipping Program
The Summit Watershed Protection League (SWPL) is a non-profit, 501c3 organization founded by a group of Villa Del Monte residents more than 25 years ago. Over the years, we have successfully blocked several attempts to perform large-scale logging operations on the land surrounding the Villa Del Monte neighborhood. Thanks in part to our efforts, that land has been zoned SU for the time being. That land is now owned by a mountain resident who has no interest in logging. So, we are turning our attention to making our neighborhood more fire-resistant.
As you may already be aware, the VDM neighborhood is NOT included in the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council’s free chipping program this year. However, the FireSafe Council does offer a matching-grant program, up to $5,000. If we can raise $5,000 as a community, we could potentially have up to $10,000 of fire-prevention work done in our neighborhood. The scope of the work covered by the matching grant includes chipping, roadside mowing, and other tree work that would make our neighborhood more fire resilient. We have received tentative approval on our grant application from the FireSafe Council to proceed with our chipping program and are in process on obtaining bids from contractors to do the work.
If neighbors are willing to contribute some additional funds, we will be able to start soon on our neighborhood chipping/fire-prevention program. We have already received $4315 for this effort, so we are almost there!
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Several neighbors have already generously contributed to this program and many more have reached out with their willingness to support this effort with a donation. If you would like to contribute to our fund to make our neighborhood more fire-resilient, click on the donations link or make a check out to Summit Watershed Protection League (or SWPL), and mail it to P.O. Box 334, Redwood Estates, CA 95044-0334. You will receive a letter acknowledging your tax-deductible donation to our 501(c)3 via email.
If you have a pile of brush on your property that needs to be chipped, we need to know the location and size of your pile in order to get quotes from chipping contractors. We also need to know if you need assistance clearing brush or trees from your property, or if there are areas in the Villa that are not on your property but need attention. Please email steve.stewart77@aol.com with your information and address.
Please refer to the SWPL 2021 Chipping Guidelines in the Resources section for further information on how to participate in this program.
News Archives
Destruction of Paradise fire spurs rush to build fuel breaks The Mercury News January, 2019
FREE brush chipping for everyone living in the Summit Area- Schedule due out in March 2019
Morrill Road Shaded Fuel Break Completed in Lexington Hills February 10, 2009