Abstract

Humboldt State University’s Communication Capstone class presents Communication Perspectives 2013.  Combining communication and ecological restoration, Chaparral Vs. Fire describes the controversial relationship of wild and planned fires on the rare chaparral biome. The manuscript speech takes into consideration the history of the land as well as the naturally occurring flora. The main arguments debated in the speech are for the California Mosaic Hypothesis and fire suppression. Due to the growing urbanization, fire management has become a top priority to maintain the health of the land and the safety of people and property. However, both attempted solutions are flawed and a new possibility is presented, with a less extreme solution, in between the spectrum.  This webpage offers the manuscript speech, common flora and fauna found in the chaparral, as well as sources for further information. The speech (as well as others) can be viewed at http://archive.org/details/AH-comm_perspectives_2013_pt_d.  

-Amanda Cully, Communication Senior at HSU