Contact: Mireille Vargas, CAP Program Specialist, Sustainability Division,
mireille.vargas@ventura.org, (805) 654-3887
VENTURA, Calif. – The Ventura County Tree Coalition – a network of Ventura County community organizations, nonprofits, land trusts, and agencies formed in early 2022 – is hosting a series of community events with an emphasis on celebrating the importance of native oak trees and the benefits of community greening. The events, collectively part of OAKtober, will include a variety of community greening and education events ranging from community planting, environmental education workshops, and hikes.
“Oaks are our true elders,” says David White, a member of the Ventura County Tree Coalition and Program Director for the Once Upon a Watershed program. “California’s native oaks are at the core of our unique ecosystems. They work silently for us by cleaning our air and water, buffering climate extremes, reducing flooding and erosion, and most importantly, they provide keystone support for the native environment that has evolved here over millennia. Local oaks provide the foundation for sustaining our community’s health.”
OAKtober is part of a larger effort to invest in and give back to Ventura County’s tree canopy.
“OAKtober provides a unique opportunity to celebrate and appreciate not only the beauty of the native tree species in Ventura County, but to give back to our community through uniquely sustainable activities,” stated Supervisor Matt LaVere, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This is an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to take part in a series of events that will provide a personal connection to investing in our natural resources while also helping to expand the impressive ecosystem of oak trees that we enjoy throughout our region.”
The public is encouraged to celebrate OAKtober by participating in one or more upcoming events taking place throughout the county during the month of October, including:
- OAKtober Fest at Taft Gardens, Ojai – Friday, October 6
- “Trail-or-Treat” at Camarillo Grove Park, Camarillo – Saturday, October 21
- Spooky OAKtober Woodland Restoration at Potrero Creek – Saturday, October 28
- Cooking with Acorns with Hi Stok’oy hil Xus at Community Roots Garden, Oxnard on Saturday, October 28
To learn more about OAKtober and view the full calendar of planned programs, visit: https://sustain.ventura.org/2023-oaktober-events/.
Those who wish to participate in OAKtober but cannot attend the events are encouraged to celebrate in their own way. Activities such as collecting and planting oak acorns, going on hikes through oak woodlands, or writing or creating art on the importance of oak trees are unique ways to engage throughout the month.
About the Ventura County Tree Coalition
Formed in early 2022, the Ventura County Tree Coalition is a network of community organizations, nonprofits, land trusts, municipalities, and like-minded groups dedicated to preserving and enhancing Ventura County’s tree canopy. To learn more visit https://sustain.ventura.org/vc-tree-planting/.
