Most people in Mendocino County live in close proximity to oak woodland habitat, making us neighbors to more than 300 other vertebrate species. The survival of these species, including the elusive bobcats, bats, and skinks, as well as the commonly encountered quail, deer, and red-tailed hawks, relies on our efforts to prevent the continued loss of this precious habitat. Unfortunately, land clearing and widespread removal of oaks and other hardwoods poses a significant threat to these species' survival.
While the conservation world often emphasizes the majestic redwood trees of the Mendocino Coast, there is another area of biological interest to the east. A jewel to the local Sanhedrin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, this otherwise unsung hero is the rugged interior Coast Ranges. Here, things really get interesting biologically as elements of the North Coast coniferous forest such as Douglas-fir and tanoak start to mix with Pacific madrone and manzanita, species of more interior locations. The Ukiah and its adjacent valleys form the center of this broad ecotonal area between the interior and outer Coast Ranges. Live and majestic valley oaks can still be found here in and around agricultural fields. Further east at least a dozen species of oaks, often with pine and cypress, can be found as part of the woodlands, chaparral, and wetlands which include seasonal streams, glades, and vernal pools. Dotted across this landscape are areas of serpentine and meta-volcanic rocks and soils, home to rare, endemic species. All told, this area supports at least ⅔ of Mendocino County's 200 or so rare and endangered plant species. The UC Hopland Research and Extension Center exemplifies these natural community types and is a great place to explore, observe, and learn.
Mendocino County's oak woodlands and shrublands continue to face loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion, rural residential and commercial development, and the construction of accompanying roads. By consolidating development within existing cities and towns, we can minimize the need to clear additional habitat and reduce the construction and maintenance of new roads.
While the State of California oversees conifer-dominated forests, such as redwoods, through the Forest Practice Act, the protection of other habitat types, including oak woodlands, is left to local jurisdictions. Many cities and counties have recognized the importance of preserving oak woodlands and have adopted oak and grading ordinances. These ordinances prevent large-scale oak clearing, promote conservation practices on private lands, and have been implemented in neighboring counties that support healthy agricultural economies. However, Mendocino County has failed to provide such protections, despite multiple attempts spanning over 25 years.
Implementing an oak woodland protection ordinance would help safeguard our natural heritage by regulating large-scale oak removal and promoting oak regeneration, which is crucial for the preservation and restoration of these critical habitats. Additionally, a grading ordinance would minimize the adverse environmental impacts of land grading and excavation, such as habitat destruction, soil erosion, and water pollution. These policies would help protect critical habitat from deforestation and fragmentation while significantly reducing the negative impacts on waterways from soil erosion.
In taking this critical step, we will not only safeguard the ecological integrity of our county but also protect Mendocino's reputation as a breathtaking destination while maintaining an exceptional quality of life for our residents. Now is the time to act and secure the long-awaited protection that our oak woodlands and surrounding habitats desperately need.
Hannah Bird is the Community Educator of the Hopland Research & Extension Center
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