Volunteers from Granite Hills HS in Porterville plant Black oak acorns

What?
In 2004, WildPlaces volunteers and the U.S. Forest Service worked together at our shared Springville Nursery site to plant over 400 Blue and Valley oak acorns, which were collected by private property owners and residents of the Springville area. Again in 2008 WildPlaces volunteers and the U.S. Forest Service worked together to plant over 180 Black oak acorns at the Springville Nursery.

Why?
The regeneration of oak seedlings throughout California and particularly the Southern Sierra and foothill regions has dramatically slowed due to damaging ranching practices in the last century. Also, land use pressures from poorly planned development and population growth have further threatened this environment, one of the last great stretches of contiguous oak woodland habitats remaining in California. Some of the most effected oaks are the Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) and Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii)-both of which are emblematic of the Sierra foothill landscape.

SOLUTIONS

Riding through the Blue oak woodlands

Local Community
WildPlaces and the USFS distribute oak seedlings to private landowners and WP members for small-scale restoration projects and to promote the use of native draught adapted plants. Seedlings were also distributed to Eagle's Nest Campground in Porterville to help reestablish oaks on the site and upgrade the facility.

Oak Woodlands Protection with Responsible Development
WildPlaces believes that development should be focused in existing cities and unincorporated towns, allowing Tulare County to enjoy the benefits of appropriate development while avoiding the urban and rural sprawl; increased traffic congestion; greater air, soil, and water pollution; water shortages; and loss of prime agricultural and natural resource lands that too often result from poor development choices.

Yaundanchi Ecological Reserve
WildPlaces and the California Dept. of Fish & Game began a long-term restoration and study project at the Yaundanchi Ecological Reserve in Porterville, CA. Volunteers planted 17 Valley Oaks that they protected from cattle in stock fence enclosures. An invasive species survey was also completed, and over 50 invasive plants were removed. We hope to create a local service learning site for Porterville teachers and students there in the future.

Service Learning
Propagating oak acorns is an opportunity for volunteers to serve their community while learning new skills. Volunteers learn how to plant and grow healthy oak trees from acorns, and also discuss oak woodland habitat restoration, oak trees in private landscapes, and wildlife likely to co-exist with oak trees.

For more information about oak acorn collection and planting and other projects and how to join us as a volunteer and member, please fill out the form below.