#ReOak Wine Country Update
In October, at least 31,000 acres of Oak forest and woodlands burned in the devastating wine country fires. These Oaks support hundreds of different species of wildlife and are critical to the health of local ecosystems. In the wake of the fires, CNPS called on volunteers to help “Re-Oak” the region.
Since then, thousands of Californians have signed up to help gather acorns, which will be used to reintroduce Oak trees in the fire affected areas. “The response has been incredible,” says CNPS Executive Director Dan Gluesenkamp.
So first, thank you to ALL who have helped in so many ways. To community members who have gathered acorns and mailed them to our offices; to the volunteers in Sacramento and Wine Country who have tirelessly processed the acorns, ensuring best practices for the restoration; and to our donors, who have made possible the needed staff and materials to make this effort a success, we thank you!
What’s Been Happening
The CNPS state office at 2707 K Street in Sacramento has been the hub for receiving and processing acorns sent in by members and volunteers from around the state. Numerous volunteers from the CNPS Sacramento Valley Chapter have handled receiving, sorting, and processing acorns that will be distributed to help with the Re-Oaking effort. All acorns from the fire-affected areas of Wine Country have been sent on to the CNPS volunteers in Sonoma county, led by restoration expert Betty Young.
Due to the amazing response from people sending in acorns, we are now looking for additional volunteers to help continue the sorting effort at Elderberry Farms Native Plant Nursery in Rancho Cordova, CA.
If you or someone you know is interested in helping out at this location, please email acorns@cnps.org for more information. You can also signup for updates on this project or learn more about the effort by visiting cnps.org/acorns.
Our deepest thanks and appreciation goes out to all of the community members, school groups, CNPS members and volunteers who took the time to collect, package, and send us specimens. Your contribution is key in helping restore oak woodlands in the fire affected areas of wine country. Please stay in touch for updates on this project and future endeavors. Together we can accomplish great things.
Thanks to #ReOak California for supporting our Mayacamas Fire Safe Council and providing us with hundreds of oak seedlings this past weekend! These seedlings we’re happily distributed to our community. Thanks, Kate for your help and braving the rain and mud as we planted 40 of these little guys! Special thanks to Berta Acker for organizing!