Welcome!

For over 25 years the University of California has been deeply involved in conducting research and outreach focused on conserving California’s native oaks. Beginning in 1986 UC was a key player in the establishment of the Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program (IHRMP), a statewide Program whose stated goal was to maintain, and where possible, increase acreage of California's hardwood range resources to provide wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, wood and livestock products, high quality water supply, and aesthetic value.Two other state agencies -- the California Department of Fish and Game and Cal Fire -- were also official collaborators on this Program.

The IHRMP officially ended in 2009, but the University of California Oak Woodland Conservation Workgroup (OWCW) continues to address the basic mission of oak conservation within the UC system. Workgroups are designed to foster collaboration on specific issues across the continuum of academics within UC. They bring together campus-based faculty, specialists and county advisors so that research needs can be identified and research-based information can quickly be delivered to local clientele.

On the left navigation bar are a number of oak-related subject areas that the University is continuing to address. Click on the subject of interest to view brief descriptions of research and educational activities taking place, and links to related materials and web sites.

UC Delivers Information About Oak Woodlands

California hardwoods are an underutilized natural resource. California is a major consumer of hardwood lumber (20 percent of nation’s production) but the hardwood lumber production industry in the state is almost non-existent; this is in spite of a sizable hardwood tree resource (12 billion cubic feet of timber growing stock). The economic viability of a native hardwood lumber industry depends on a thorough understanding of the lumber recovery and grade yield expected from the resource and a solid knowledge of wood properties and manufacturing characteristics. The focus of this effort is to encourage a sustainable California hardwood industry by identifying basic industry needs, raising the awareness of the potential for value-added products, developing good manufacturing practices, and providing technical assistance.

Read about: California Hardwoods Provide Economic Development Opportunities | View Other Stories

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. Click below for an overview of the Oak Woodlands in California.

Overview of Oak Woods in California. Presented by Greg Giusti, UCCE Forest Advisor

Upcoming Events

Planner's Guidelines for Oak Woodlands
Webinar Series - March 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2012

View our Oak Management Webinar Segments

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Oak Related Publications

BRAND NEW!! Revised Version of Living Among the Oaks [Free]

Regenerating Rangeland Oaks in California [FREE]

Oaks in the Urban Landscape

Oak Woodland's Planner's Guide

Oak Woodland Impact Decision Matrix

Fire in California's Oak Woodlands [FREE]

Small Parcel Landowner's Guide to Woodland Management [FREE]

New Pest Threaten’s California' s Oaks - the Gold Spotted Borer [FREE]

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

Oak Woodland Blog

Vegetation affects on Water Yield, Learning from the Past

This year’s delayed “rainy season” in much of California has left many seasonal water sources for wildlife and livestock dry and kept many of the state’s water reservoirs low. If the “rainy season” progresses without rain we may find ourselves thinking...

Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 11:25 AM

Author: Sheila Barry
Author: Sophie Kolding

The Oak Woodland Strategy for Protecting and Managing Oak Woodland Habitats and Associated Birds in California

Author: Greg GiustiThroughout northern coastal California, a great deal of information regarding water quality and fish habitat is being amassed that potentially could change how people view and utilize stream corridors. However, it is widely recognized...

Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:43 AM

Author: Sophie Kolding

Planner's Guidelines for Managing Oak Woodlands: A Webinar Series

This webinar will present a series of lectures on the concepts in the ANR publication, “A Planner’s Guide for Oak Woodlands” (UC ANR Publication 3491). The goal will be to create an awareness of the ecological, economic and social values of California’s...

Posted on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 1:17 PM

Posted By: Richard B Standiford
Written by: Richard B. Standiford