2026
2026
EarthSea Restoration Forest
Managed by Cosumnes River Preserve
Since Apr 2026
In California, US
CRP109
This chronolog combines 7 photos from 6 contributors. Learn more
About this site
The valley oak grove here is a hint of the extent of the valley oak riparian forests that were once found along the waterways throughout the Central Valley. Today, the total acreage of valley oak riparian forest is less than 2 percent of what it was in the mid-1800s.
Key indicators of resilience in this oak woodland include:
Tree Health & Growth – Annual growth rates, canopy density, leaf-out timing, and signs of stress during drought years.
Drought Response – Leaf drop timing, branch dieback, and natural regeneration of seedlings.
Wildfire Resilience – Fuel loads, understory density, and post-thinning forest structure.
Regeneration – Survival rates of young oaks and natural recruitment over time.
Wildlife Use – Seasonal bird, insect, and mammal activity supported by acorns and canopy habitat.
Tracking these indicators helps assess how the woodland adapts to hotter summers, variable rainfall, and long-term climate change while maintaining ecosystem health.
About Cosumnes River Preserve
The Cosumnes River Preserve consists of over 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat and agricultural lands owned by seven land-owning Partners. The Partners include The Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Sacramento County Regional Parks, Department of Water Resources, Ducks Unlimited, and the California State Lands Commission. The Preserve is centered along the Cosumnes River, its floodplains and riparian habitat. This habitat is buffered by a variety of agricultural operations. The Preserve provides numerous social, economic, and recreational benefits to local communities and to people residing in the larger Sacramento and San Joaquin areas. The habitat supports wildlife, including birds that migrate throughout the Pacific Flyway.