Throughout October, Ventura Land Trust (VLT) will host its first OAKtober celebration with a series of events that acknowledge and celebrate Ventura County’s oak trees and ecosystems.
Oaks are the foundation of several major ecosystems in Ventura County. Each oak is central to home to 100 interdependent plant and animal species. Trees work for the planet by cleaning air and water, sequestering atmospheric carbon, buffering climate extremes, and lowering energy usage.
Oaks reduce flooding and support native wildlife. Trees in general offer benefits that provide the foundation for individual and planetary health.
VLT and event partners will promote awareness of the value of oaks in California, while developing a community network to support oak ecosystems. Scheduled events include:
» OAKtober Launch: Meet the Oaks of Harmon Canyon, featuring David White, Once Upon a Watershed Program director; and Melina Watts, author of “Tree,” 9-10:30 a.m. Oct. 2 at Harmon Canyon Preserve, 7511 Foothill Road, Ventura.
Participants will meet at Harmon Canyon Preserve trailhead, then walk a short distance to an oak grove with trees that are some 300 years old. White will talk about the central role of oaks in the ecosystem in Harmon Canyon Preserve and give tips on how to grow an acorn into a sprout help the young tree to mature.
Watts will read from her 2017 novel “Tree,” the story of a California live oak from the point of view of the tree. See: “Sometimes the adventure outside is on the inside.” “Tree” is available at Timbre Books.
» Harmon Oak Woodlands, featuring Los Padres ForestWatch (LPFW) conservation director Bryant Baker, 9-10:30 a.m. Oct. 30 at Harmon Canyon Preserve.
In partnership with Los Padres ForestWatch, Baker will lead a presentation on Harmon Canyon Preserve’s signature oak woodlands. The talk will delve into the habitat, biology, and natural history of oak woodlands in Ventura County’s hills and the Los Padres National Forest
Guests will meet at the Harmon Canyon Preserve trailhead and walk to a Harmon Canyon oak grove to learn about the trees.
Other events will be announced as they are scheduled. Space is limited so guests are urged to RSVP for OAKtober events at www.venturalandtrust.org/events.
Find more OAKtober resources at www.venturalandtrust.org/oaktober.
The mission of Ventura Land Trust is to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. VLT currently owns and manages land along the Ventura River and in the Ventura hillsides, including the 2,100-acre Harmon Canyon Preserve, opened in June 2020.
Harmon Canyon Preserve is Ventura’s first large-scale nature preserve. All preserves are open to the public daily from dawn to dusk for free. Ventura Land Trust received accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance in 2019. Learn more and become a member at www.venturalandtrust.org.