Planning in Oak Woodlands

There are many threats to oaks, but one of the most significant today is the impact from residential and commercial development. This is not really surprising since oak woodlands are such desirable places to live. However, because of this, local planning plays a key role in oak woodland conservation. UC and the IHRMP has worked extensively on planning issues during the last two decades to help identify planning strategies consistent with woodland conservation and to make this information available to local planners. During this period the IHRMP produced two Planner’s Guides for Oak Woodlands and recently developed a Planner’s Portal. This is a website where planners can go for specific planning information. In addition, the IHRMP did a comprehensive survey of 41 California counties that have woodlands to document planning activities in these counties (see the page in left navigation bar titled "Description of County Oak Conservation Policies"). It also produced a white paper titled Oak Woodland Conservation in California’s Changing Landscape. Links to the Portal and these other products are listed below. At the Portal, or by going to the "Ask an Expert" heading on the Left Navigation menu, you can submit a question about a wide variety of oak-related topics.

Listen to the most recent webinar! Planner's Guidelines for Oak Woodlands

UC Oak Planner's Portal

Oak Woodland Conservation in California's Changing Landscape [FREE]

Description of County Oak Conservation Policies

County-based planning is often an emotionally charged, financially motivated process where decisions can potentially affect natural resources for generations. As Californians move from urban and suburban centers into lands that have historically been hardwood forests, the expansion is impacting the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the state's oak woodlands. The shifting demographics are increasing the need for sound decision making if the ecological integrity of oak woodlands is to be maintained. The UC Integrated Hardwood and Range Management Program (IHRMP) has directed its efforts at planners for the past 15 years in recognition of the importance this dedicated group of professionals have in conserving California's wild spaces. California's oak woodlands are not subject to statewide regulatory oversight as are commercial conifer forests. Consequently, oak conservation measures are often handled by county and private planners on a fragmented, parcel-by-parcel basis. In 2004, the state passed legislation requiring all non-agricultural projects affecting oak woodlands be subject to evaluation under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Terms of the legislation required that planners must determine the project's “significance” and the impacts must be mitigated. At the time of the enactment, no existing documentation or precedent had been established to assist counties in making such determinations. The IHRMP undertook the task of articulating the complex issue of “significance” and developed a decision matrix designed to assist planners, developers and conservationists address the nuances of the new statute.

Read about: UC delivers oak woodland planning support to California counties

Listen to a Webinar

All webinar segments were taped for the Oak Webinar Series hosted by UCCE Forest Specialists and Advisors in collaboration with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Division.

Management Plans for Oak Rangelands. Presented by Rick Standiford, UCCE Forest Specialist

Developing Goals for Oak Rangelands. Presented by Rick Standiford, UCCE Forest Specialist