Unbelievable Vandalism in Big Sur

Michael13

Well-Known Member
I had a plan to leave this weekend on a trip to Big Sur, California! One of the places I had heard of and wanted to see in person was the Calla Lilly Valley in Garrapata State Park. During an online search yesterday, I found this disturbing news ...

Calla Lilly Valley Vandalized

I am still going on my trip, but how can people do such a thing? It is true Calla Lillies are not native to CA, but are found in other CA coastal areas as well.
 

AlanLichty

Moderator
I have seen articles describing what happened down there. Nothing points to what the motive behind the act might have been since they didn't actually destroy the plants.
 

Kyle Jones

Moderator
Seems like one of three possibilities:
  • Straight up vandalism for the sake of vandalism
  • Locals trying to discourage crowds
  • Invasive "warriors" who felt the the need (wrongly implemented) to try eliminating these dangerous weeds
I've never actually made it there for the flowers. I kind of want to, but I'd want to do it early in the season before the crowds get large and the plants get trampled. Probably impossible at this point.
 

Michael13

Well-Known Member
I have seen articles describing what happened down there. Nothing points to what the motive behind the act might have been since they didn't actually destroy the plants.
Right, only the flowers were cut from the plants. What were they thinking? I hope someone who knows will come forward.
 

Michael13

Well-Known Member
Seems like one of three possibilities:
  • Straight up vandalism for the sake of vandalism
  • Locals trying to discourage crowds
  • Invasive "warriors" who felt the the need (wrongly implemented) to try eliminating these dangerous weeds
I've never actually made it there for the flowers. I kind of want to, but I'd want to do it early in the season before the crowds get large and the plants get trampled. Probably impossible at this point.
Their location was no secret, I wonder why CA State Parks didn't remove them if they are an invasive species. I am just sad because they were beautiful, and now they are gone.

At least I know there is much more to see and photograph at Garrapata State Park!
 

Kyle Jones

Moderator
Their location was no secret, I wonder why CA State Parks didn't remove them if they are an invasive species. I am just sad because they were beautiful, and now they are gone.

At least I know there is much more to see and photograph at Garrapata State Park!
I agree with the sadness. The general public has no authority to remove things they don't like from state or national parks. Or frankly any public lands. This was simply selfish and mean-spirited.

But you are right - there are a lot of great things to photograph at Garrapata!
 

dan swiger

Well-Known Member
Dang, that's bad news. I found this place after seeing a photograph taken with a 4x5. Found the place & had 2 or 3 visits with success. But quickly discovered that people & their dogs, drones, etc had found it too. This hyper religious attitude about native species was a pretense for destruction. There are a lot of plant specie that have "migrated" on their own or been helped by humans. I think the spread of Calle Lilies "naturally" suited the draw out from the road to the beach.

Here's my take the site back in 2009
I5D_9631_090306_p1PP6-topaz-low resolution-2xw.JPG
 
Dang, that's bad news. I found this place after seeing a photograph taken with a 4x5. Found the place & had 2 or 3 visits with success. But quickly discovered that people & their dogs, drones, etc had found it too. This hyper religious attitude about native species was a pretense for destruction. There are a lot of plant specie that have "migrated" on their own or been helped by humans. I think the spread of Calle Lilies "naturally" suited the draw out from the road to the beach.

Here's my take the site back in 2009
View attachment 87851
wow, Dan, I love the shot.

Oliver
 

JimFox

Moderator
Staff member
That's so sad to hear. I do hope they are able to piece together who did that.

I don't believe it has anything to do with the "invasive Species" as whoever vandalized just cut off the blooms, they didn't remove the whole plants.

I think it's just our America has turned into a very mean country, and people feel emboldened to be able to be mean and do whatever they want with no feeling that their will be consequences.

But, that's just my opinion, and we all have one.
 

JimFox

Moderator
Staff member
Seems like one of three possibilities:
  • Straight up vandalism for the sake of vandalism
  • Locals trying to discourage crowds
  • Invasive "warriors" who felt the the need (wrongly implemented) to try eliminating these dangerous weeds
I've never actually made it there for the flowers. I kind of want to, but I'd want to do it early in the season before the crowds get large and the plants get trampled. Probably impossible at this point.
I have gone later in the season, and there are pathways around the clumps of flowers. Not to say they have never been trampled, but I never saw them being trampled like a bunch of cows had been let loose down there.
 
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