The oak is deep-rooted in California’s history and identity. Surveys have shown that Californians think of oak woodlands as the type of forest most representative of their state. Few people, however, realize that these beautiful and productive natural ecosystems are the most-threatened woodlands in California.

California’s oaks are disappearing at an average rate of 20,000 acres a year. More than 1 million acres of virgin oak forests have been wiped out since 1945– most of them “converted” permanently to subdivisions, shopping centers and freeways.

In addition to displacement by development, these majestic trees face many other threats. These range from cattle– which eat acorns and trample younger trees– to Sudden Oak Death, a disease killing oaks statewide at an alarming rate.

UPDATE 9/1/04:

The Oak Woodlands Protection Act, Senate Bill 1334, sponsored by state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) requires counties to consider a project’s effect on oak woodlands when preparing an environmental impact statement under the California Environmental Quality Act. The act also requires developers to offset the loss of any oaks they clear, and provides several ways this might be accomplished.

The Oak Woodlands Protection Act has now been passed by both houses of the legislature, and is on the governor’s desk. He has until Sept. 30 to sign it. Please urge Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign SB 1334.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Below is a sample letter to send to Gov. Schwarzenegger encouraging him to sign the Oak Woodlands Protection Act, SB 1334. Please feel free to put the letter in your own words.

Mail your letter to:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 445-2841 (phone)
(916) 445-4633 (fax)

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

Please sign Senator Sheila Kuehl’s SB 1334, the Oak Woodlands Protection Act. This act gives much-needed protection to our state’s oak woodlands, which are disappearing at a rate of 20,000 acres a year.

More than 1 million acres of native oaks in California have been wiped out since 1945. The once-abundant oaks that formerly characterized the Sacramento Valley have been reduced to less than 2 percent of their original extent.

Our oak woodlands are not only beautiful, but provide important habitat for a variety of plants and animals. These state treasures should not be casually removed for shopping malls and housing developments.

SB 1334 would require counties to consider the impacts on oak forests when preparing an environmental impact statement under the California Environmental Quality Act. The legislation would also require developers to offset the loss of any oaks displaced by their projects.

Surveys have shown that Californians name oaks as the trees most representative of their state. The governor’s office would be remiss if it did not act to protect these state treasures.

Sincerely,

Your name
Your address