On June 24, 2007, an illegal campfire sparked a blaze that would destroy over 200 homes and reduce a lush forest to a pine and fir graveyard. When white winter snow finally laid its cool blanket over the wounded woods, many residents contemplated with skepticism mother nature’s ability to restore her domain.  The blackened, deformed spikes now dominating the landscape left a stark, indelible image devoid of life and color.

In addition to teaching English, Lisa Berry instructs the wilderness department’s Wildflower Hiking class, and maintains a website that features her wildflower photography.  Lisa has been exploring the Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas since she moved to the area in 1989. 

A resident of the Angora burn area, Lisa spent the spring of 2008 documenting the forest’s rebirth with photographs of its wildflowers. She has witnessed the rebirth of over eighty species since the fire, and has compiled a slideshow of a small portion of these flowers.  She enjoys conducting informative walks into the burn area, and encourages both residents and visitors to experience for themselves Nature’s awesome capacity to heal itself.