ON THE RANCH
By Mitchell Coleman, Executive Director
As winter approaches on Tejon Ranch and the hills take on their cool seasonal quiet, we find ourselves reflecting on a year marked by renewed momentum, deepened partnerships, and a profound sense of gratitude. The Conservancy’s work – rooted in stewardship, science, education, and public access – depends on a community of people who care about this extraordinary place. This year, more than ever, that support has been felt across everything we do.
The conserved lands of Tejon Ranch are among California’s most remarkable natural treasures: nearly 240,000 acres of oak woodlands, conifer forests, chaparral shrublands, grasslands, riparian zones, and majestic stands of Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia). These landscapes hold more than 1,200 native plant species – including several that occur nowhere else on Earth.
Valley oaks (Quercus lobata) take on a whole new look when fog rolls onto the Ranch. (Photo by Mitchell Coleman.)
As we turn the page to 2026, we are preparing to do things we have not been able to do since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
We plan to grow our program staff to better support our expanding mission. We will continue enhancing and diversifying our public access and education offerings so more students, families, and community members can experience the Ranch firsthand. Our science and stewardship teams are ready to launch bold new initiatives in research and restoration. Across the organization, we are also working to broaden our base of supporters and deepen our ties in Bakersfield (our “new” home base) and beyond.
Chapparal habitat, dominated by chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) above Bronco Canyon. Photo by M. Coleman.
One of our most urgent priorities is restoring valley oak (Quercus lobata) populations on Tejon Ranch. Today, the median age of our valley oaks exceeds 250 years, and there are remarkably few individuals under 100. Seedlings are even rarer. Across California, oak woodlands are struggling to produce enough young trees to replace these old-growth giants – and we are deeply concerned about what this means for their long-term future. So, we’re taking action.
Our restoration work combines research into the causes of adult oak mortality and the factors that influence seedling recruitment with hands-on restoration across the Conserved Lands. For more about this project, see our Fall 2025 newsletter.
But this oak project is just one example among many of the vital work under way – and one that urgently needs your support. As one of just three staff members working alongside an extraordinary community of volunteers, I see firsthand how much care, commitment, and expertise it takes to steward a landscape of this size and importance. Your generosity sustains our day-to-day operations, fuels the growth of our programs, and enables us to accelerate the research, restoration, and education efforts that define our mission.
Snow covers many high elevation areas of the Ranch at this time of year, such as this stand of valley oaks at the crest of Bronco Canyon. Photo by M. Coleman.
If you are able, please say “oak-ay” to our oak research and restoration efforts by making a gift today. Our year-end fundraiser is underway and every donation we receive will be directed toward advancing the Conservancy’s mission.
Thank you to each one of you who helped us on our way to our goal of 50 donors in November. If you haven’t yet made a gift, there’s still time to donate today.
Here is to a hope-filled and progress-driven 2026! Happy Holidays, everyone!
With gratitude, Mitchell Coleman, Ph.D. Executive Director Tejon Ranch Conservancy
A group of volunteers plant some of the 2,400 valley oak acorns collected in 2024 as part of a long-term oak restoration project. The unique species will be planted at a variety of sites on the Ranch. Photo by R. McNeish.
2025 Photo Highlights
Each year on Tejon Ranch brings unforgettable moments, and 2025 was no exception, offering an especially vivid reminder of why this landscape inspires such deep commitment from our staff, docents, and community. From spring wildflower slopes and emerging dragonflies to soaring condors, summer storms, and unexpected wildlife encounters, the Ranch revealed its beauty in countless forms. For this Winter Newsletter, we asked Conservancy staff and docents to share their top photo highlights of the year. The selections that follow capture just a glimpse of the wonder, diversity, and seasonal rhythms that make Tejon Ranch a place unlike any other.
A jubilee of spring wildflowers, including miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), and Bigelow coreopsis (Leptosyne bigelovii), carpet the slopes of Cañada del Gato Montés, April 2025. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
A yellow-blotched ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii croceater) suns itself near Ray’s Perch, April 2025. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
A California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) soars on thermals above El Paso Canyon. A sighting of this species is often the goal of bird-watching visitors, May 2025. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
A Pacific spiketail dragonfly (Cordulegaster dorsalis) emerges from the nymph stage into full maturity in Tejon Canyon, May 2025. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
A monarch butterfly caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) on a desert milkweed leaf (Asclepias erosa), September 2025. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
A rare summer storm rolls in over the Old Headquarters easement of Tejon Ranch. The beauty of the Ranch comes in a variety of awe-inspiring forms, May 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
This California quail (Callipepla californica) and her chicks were spotted while staff was conducting easement monitoring for the Tejon Ranch Conservancy. It’s always fun to see animals with their young during our travels on the Tejon Ranch. You never know what you will see around the next corner, July 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
During a public access tour a large flock of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) soar over the Old Headquarters section of Tejon Ranch. Pelicans are migratory and arrive in the Central Valley from July to December and winter over until March or April each year, October 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
This family of Black Bear (Ursus americanus) was sighted on the Haul Road during a public access tour of Tejon Ranch. The black bear on the Ranch come in a variety of colors from cinnamon to dark black. You never know what you will see on a tour of the Ranch, September 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
A perched purple martin (Progne subis) was photographed high up on Cordon Ridge during the annual purple martin survey. The survey is one of numerous research projects supported by the Tejon Ranch Conservancy, July 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
A view of the green vegetation surrounding a road on the southern side of the Ranch, taken a few days after a rain, May 2025. Photo by Monica Uriaz.
Prickly poppies (Argemone munita) growing on the edge of a road, June 2025. Photo by Monica Uriaz.
Giant woollystar (Eriastrum densifolium) grows on the southern side of the Ranch, June 2025. Photo by Monica Uriaz.
Senior docent Mark Duffel and students from the Bakersfield College Biology Club stand on a grassy hill in the Lookout Pasture, October 2025. Photo by Monica Uriaz.
Lush green hilltops on the San Joaquin side of the Ranch, with the convergence of Tejon Creek and Chanac Creek in the distance, April 2025. Photo by Monica Uriaz.
A Decade of Dedication: Q&A with Senior Docent Steve Justus
For more than a decade, Steve Justus has been a steady, generous presence on Tejon Ranch – devoting countless hours to stewardship, wildlife monitoring, research, and helping others discover the beauty of this remarkable place. His commitment, curiosity, and expertise have made him an anchor within the Conservancy family and an inspiration to staff and volunteers alike. We sat down with Steve to reflect on his eleven years of service and to hear, in his own words, what keeps him connected to the Ranch.
Steve working to clean up some stray barbed wire as part of stewardship project in 2014. Photo by Laura Pavliscak.
How did you first get involved with the Tejon Ranch Conservancy, and what drew you to become a docent? It began in 2012 when I stopped by the TRC booth at a sportsmen’s show in Long Beach. Many times in my career, I had driven past the Tejon Ranch signs, to and fro between my home and engineering projects in the Bakersfield-Taft area. Later, I did a search and found a hike led by the Conservancy. I started to follow events and, as I neared my early retirement, the Conservancy advertised volunteer opportunities and sign-ups for the California Naturalist Training program. As a lifelong outdoorsman, who had a lot of ranch work experience and a technical background, I was hopeful that joining the Conservancy would shape my future. My final day in the corporate world was a Thursday, and the very next day, Friday, I joined the Naturalist class. In the program, we were addressed by staff members who defined their focus and work. citizen science, wildlife programs, and stewardship that aligned with my background and held strong appeal. That was 11 years ago, and every day on the Ranch with the Conservancy has been special and a privilege.
Steve speaking to a group before beginning a pipe-capping project in 2017. Open-ended pipes are a cause of bird mortality, and one of Steve's passions is capping such pipes. Photo by Laura Pavliscak.
Over the past 11 years, you’ve seen the Conservancy grow and change in many ways. What’s been the most rewarding for you? We’ve seen wonderful volunteers and docents move on, and we have also attracted new, highly dedicated docents who enjoy the work and donate a significant amount of their time to ensure the success of projects. Friendships with the docents and volunteers, and participation new research, scientific, and stewardship projects have been the most rewarding. Steve supervising annual maintenance at the Sebastian Campground in 2022. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
You have participated in everything from pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) monitoring to stewardship projects, research studies, writing for this newsletter, and citizen science projects. Do you have a favorite memory or experience? There are so many memories and experiences that it’s hard to define a single standout. I could more easily say that the flood of memories and experiences are a major highlight of my life. I do remember this: a former docent, Chris Gardner, and I worked as a team for a number of years. After so much work documenting and studying the small pronghorn herd’s habits and movements, improving many long runs of fencing, and defining critical water needs, etc., we began to record increasing numbers. One particular day, we came over a rise and below us was the largest group we had seen. There were 34 pronghorn, with several new fawns. That was really exciting and motivating. Recently, we have observed a single group of 44, and this year, there are five new fawns. Your work here can make a difference. By the way, Chris and I, and our wives, are still close friends. A large group of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) observed during a survey in 2016. Photo by Steve Justus.
What’s something you’ve learned about Tejon Ranch – or nature in general – that’s stuck with you over the years? This truly is a special place, isolated almost as an island of perpetual conservation. It is a dramatic example of what ecosystems can be with minimal human intrusion and dedicated protection. It is unique in its size and in its location as a corridor between the coast and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. That expanse, then, contains four ecosystems; each is its own classroom as we move through seasons and variations in climate. However, as the Ranch and its species struggled more and more with the extended drought, what really sticks with me is the concept that nature is always fragile and always on the edge of survival, yet it can be remarkably resilient and responsive to improved conditions. Steve serving up a portion of camp soup during a teacher nature journaling workshop in 2019. Photo by Paula Harvey.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a docent? I believe there is a difference between volunteers and docents. After doing volunteer work, you may decide to put in the work to become a docent, requiring an increased level of dedication and training. With that comes more responsibilities. Irrespective of the project or type of work you wish to participate in, be reliable, be supportive. If you have an open mind, are inquisitive, and are motivated by learning, the Conservancy will reward you mightily. Steve and then Senior Ecologist Ellery Mayence installing a spring box as part of a wetland restoration project in 2016.
What part of the Ranch or which species still inspire you when you are out in the field? All areas of the Ranch inspire me because every day brings exciting things unique to that ecosystem. However, I am inspired by the survival and expansion of the pronghorn population, given the environmental issues present on the Antelope Valley side of the Ranch, namely drought. The success of the Conservancy’s efforts inspires me. Number two is the incredible birding, especially during peak migration periods and, of course, California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) sightings! Steve measuring the height of the bottom wire on a fence in 2014. Increasing the height of the bottom wire is a simple stewardship activity which enables pronghorn, the fastest land mammal in North America, to move across the landscape much more easily. Photo by Scot Pipkin.
If you had to describe Tejon Ranch in just three words, what would they be? Spectacular. Inspiring. Stunning. A pronghorn buck beating the summer heat in 2022. Photo by Steve Justus.
How has volunteering here shaped your connection to conservation or the landscape of California? It has strengthened my resolve to dedicate more time and resources to conservation work and to find ways to take what we have learned and make it useful here and elsewhere. Additionally, our contact with researchers and others who know so much more exposes us to new findings and scientific technologies. They have motivated me to keep learning more, especially in geology and geological processes here and elsewhere. An original Tejon Ranchos logo, featuring el Tejón, the American badger (Taxidea taxus). Photo by Steve Justus.
Looking ahead, what do you hope for the volunteer and docent program in the next 10 years? We are seeing renewed support and interest as demonstrated by the large turnout for the Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) replanting, and that is wonderful. I hope for more grants and projects that will attract more interest and support. Hopefully, continuing to regularly publicize the great work done by the Conservancy, upcoming conservation events, educational opportunities, etc., will inspire more funding and volunteer support.
Then Senior Ecologist Ellery Mayence and Operations Director Tim Bulone flanking Steve amidst a camp cookout for a nature journaling workshop in 2019. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
AAH, FALL: THE COLORFUL RANCH WE SAW
By Reema Hammad, Public Access and Education Coordinator Blue Ridge, part of what we call the Ranch’s “High Country,” is a vision of contrasts to which autumn visitors were privy. The variety of flora includes pines, which, of course, maintain their green foliage all year long, November 2025. Photo by Reema Hammad.
This fall, the Tejon Conservancy hosted an outstanding series of events that showcased the beauty and diversity of the natural environment. Attendees enjoyed hikes through breathtaking landscapes, highlighting the rich variety of flora and fauna, as well as the seasonal transition from summer to autumn. Because Joshua trees are found only in a few places on the planet, the stands of them on the Antelope Valley area of the Ranch (part of the massive Mojave Desert) are always an invitation to explore, October 2025. Photo by Reema Hammad.
In addition to the hikes, our informative biodiversity driving tours offered participants the chance to explore the complex ecological systems within the Ranch. These tours emphasized various habitats and the unique species inhabiting them, providing valuable insights into the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship. Visitors walk through Tejon Canyon, cameras at the ready, to capture that once-in-a-lifetime photograph during an Art in Nature event, September 2025. Photo by Reema Hammad.
The Art in Nature events were particularly noteworthy, as they inspired participants to blend creativity with the natural world. Activities included nature journaling, plein air painting, photography workshops, all drawing inspiration from the captivating surroundings. These artistic initiatives were generously supported by a grant from the California Arts Council and the Arts Council of Kern, enabling the realization of these enriching experiences. Big Sycamore Canyon, somewhat ironically, shows off perhaps one of the most famous oaks on the Ranch – featured in Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams" music video. Visitors, staff, and researchers have taken hundreds of photographs of it in the last 17 years, October 2025. Photo by Reema Hammad.
In summary, this season has been an engaging journey characterized by outdoor exploration, education, and community connection. The diverse array of activities has fostered a deeper appreciation for nature and strengthened the sense of camaraderie among all participants.
Fall colors on Blue Ridge, November 2025. Photo by Reema Hammad.
A LOOK AT RANCH RESTORATION IN 2025
By Staff Biologist Monica Uriaz Here at the Conservancy, we are always seeking to improve the wellbeing of the Ranch’s ecosystems. One key way that we accomplish this goal is through stewardship activities, such as restoration, which we perform with the help of our wonderful volunteers. Restoration takes two forms: passive and active. Passive restoration projects involve the removal of a harmful factor (e.g., invasive species, disturbance from large animals, etc.), which then allows the ecosystem to passively recover in the harmful factor’s absence. Active restoration projects, on the other hand, typically involve the planting of a native species in an area where their populations are declining or absent entirely. We are excited that over this past year, we have had the opportunity to do one passive restoration project and two active restoration projects.
A large invasive salt cedar (Tamarix ramosissima) in the middle of Tejon Creek being cut down by Conservancy staff and volunteers, October 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
The passive restoration project done this year was the removal of invasive salt cedar (Tamarix ramosissima) from Tejon Creek in the Lookout Pasture. This is a long-term project that began in the fall of 2024. Salt cedar is an incredibly resistant species that hoards large amounts of water, leaving little to no water available for nearby native species. Furthermore, as the name suggests, salt cedar accumulates salt within its tissues and adds salt to the soil when its salty leaves drop. Therefore, this species has serious harmful impacts on creeks. In 2024, we began the quest to cut down all salt cedar within the creek. After cutting down each tree, we sprayed each stump with a mix of relatively gentle herbicide. Using herbicide was unfortunately the only sure way to keep the stumps from sprouting back. Mitchell Coleman spraying cut salt cedar (Tamarix ramosissima) stumps with herbicide to prevent regrowth, October 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
In October 2025, we returned to the same creek to tackle any remaining salt cedar that we missed the first time around or had sprouted since 2024’s effort. We were pleased to find very few individuals left in the creek. This indicated that our method was successful, and we simply repeated the same process to eradicate the remaining sprouts. Our plan is to continue this process each year until, hopefully, Tejon Creek is entirely free of salt cedar. Conservancy staff and volunteers working to eradicate salt cedar (Tamarix ramosissima) in Tejon Creek, October 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
As for our active restoration efforts, the first project that we did this year was valley oak restoration. This project is also a multi-year project, and the details of our 2024 to mid-2025 efforts can be found in our Fall 2025 newsletter. In October of this year, we collected another set of valley oak acorns from the Ranch, approximately 1,000 in total. From our experience collecting acorns last year, we were able to refine our acorn-collecting method. We identified a handful of oaks that contained an abundance of acorns, then waited until the time in the season when about half of the acorns had ripened. Then we used what we like to call a “piñata method.” Because the acorns were ripe and ready to drop, we simply smacked branches with a long tree-pruning stick until acorns rained down. Afterwards, we collected the fallen acorns from the ground. We will plant these acorns in a Conservancy greenhouse in the next few months and will later transplant them to the Ranch.
Conservancy volunteer Makayla Israelson using the ‘piñata method’ to make acorns fall from a valley oak (Quercus lobata), October 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
Conservancy volunteers collecting fallen valley oak (Quercus lobata) acorns from the ground, October 2025. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
A conservancy volunteer holding valley oak (Quercus lobata) acorns, October 2025. Photo by Mark Duffel.
Finally, the second and most recent active restoration project for 2025 was the planting of Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) at the Panofsky-Wilson Preserve. Toward the end of October, we collected 100 Bakersfield cactus pads from a healthy cactus group on the Ranch. Then, we let the pads form calluses for two weeks. A callus is a protective layer of tissue that forms over wounded areas of a cactus, preventing any infections from bacteria or fungi. At the end of the two-week period, we planted all 100 cactus pads at the Preserve. The pads were planted in clusters of five to simulate their natural clustering patterns, and rocks were placed around each pad to provide structural support.
Conservancy volunteers and staff collect Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) pads, November 2025. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
Conservancy volunteers planting Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) pads at Panofsky-Wilson Preserve, November 2025. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
We had a very successful year for stewardship on the Ranch, and it would not have been possible without our amazing volunteers. As always, we want to give a heartfelt thank you to all who have helped us with these projects. If these projects sounded interesting to you, or perhaps you’d like to give the “piñata method” a try, feel free to reach out to us. We have many more stewardship events coming up in the new year, and all are welcome to volunteer.
Freshly planted Bakersfield cactus (Opuntia basilaris var. treleasei) pads at Panofsky-Wilson Preserve, November 2025. Photo by Mitchell Coleman.
Upcoming Winter Events
Winter transforms Tejon Ranch into a landscape of fresh color, movement, and sound – crisp air, shimmering light, and the chance to experience the Ranch as few ever do. Whether it’s a gentle rain, a dusting of snow, or a cool breeze through the oaks, winter outings offer their own kind of magic. Bring a warm layer and a sense of curiosity, and come explore rushing seasonal streams, quiet forests, and rejuvenated vegetation after the first winter storms. And there’s more on the way – additional winter events are in the works, so stay tuned and don’t miss the chance to join us on the Ranch this season!
Afternoon Nature Photography Walk (Saturday, December 13, 2025, 2:30-5pm) A Nature Photography Walk at the beautiful Tejon Ranch makes for an exciting afternoon. Whether you are an experienced photographer or just beginning, our knowledgeable guides offer valuable tips and techniques to help you capture the breathtaking beauty of nature and the stunning landscapes. Bring your camera and immerse yourself in the natural splendor of Tejon Ranch, where every moment offers the potential for a masterpiece! This event is funded by a generous grant from the California Arts Council and the Arts Council of Kern!
End of Year Hike (Saturday, December 27, 2025, 8:30-noon) Celebrate the end of the year by embarking on a moderate 3- to 4-mile hike through the serene blue oak woodlands and expansive grasslands of the San Joaquin Valley. Enjoy the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit this unique ecosystem. This hike offers a refreshing outdoor experience and a chance to reflect on the past year while appreciating the natural beauty around you. Remember to bring plenty of water, wear comfortable shoes, and consider bringing a camera to capture the stunning vistas along the way.
New Year Hike at White Wolf (Saturday, January 3, 2026, 8:30am-noon) Celebrate the New Year with a 3- to 4-mile hike in the San Joaquin Valley. Diverse flora and fauna inhabit the stunning blue oak woodlands and grasslands that seem to go on forever. After holidays spent indoors, this hike will give your legs a much-needed stretch and your lungs, a refreshing clear-out. The unmatched beauty of nature will give you a chance to set intentions for the year ahead. Remember to bring plenty of water, wear comfortable shoes, and consider bringing a camera to capture the unique nature of this ecosystem.
Art in Nature at Reservoir #2 (Saturday, January 10, 2026, 8:30am-12:30pm) Join us for a morning of artistic exploration at Tejon Ranch, where we will immerse ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of its landscape. With the serene Reservoir #2 as our backdrop, participants will have the unique opportunity to unleash their creativity through photography, sketching, drawing, and nature journaling. Don't miss out on this enriching experience! This event is funded by a generous grant from the California Arts Council and the Arts Council of Kern.
Cottonwood Creek Hike at the Randall Preserve (Sunday, January 11, 2026, 8am-noon) Experience the beauty of nature on a moderate 4- to 5-mile hike through the Randall Tehachapi Preserve, where you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the lush, green landscape surrounding Cottonwood Creek. As we traverse varying terrains, you’ll encounter vibrant flora. This guided hike is perfect for nature enthusiasts and those looking to enjoy the serene sounds of the creek. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the stunning views and the tranquil atmosphere of this hidden gem!
Exercise Hike at White Wolf (Saturday, January 24, 2026, 8am-2pm) Let’s take an exercise hike on Tejon Ranch! This 6- to 7-mile hike is challenging, featuring significant inclines that loop through the beautiful blue oak woodlands. Along the way, we will enjoy stunning views overlooking the San Joaquin Valley grasslands and the vibrant landscape. The hike has an elevation gain of approximately 2,000 feet.
Laughter in the Oaks: On the Acorn Woodpecker
By Staff Biologist Monica Uriaz
Tejon Ranch has a high diversity of ecosystem types, and is home to many different species. With such a high number of species that one can encounter during a trip to the Ranch, it can be difficult to decide upon a favorite species. I certainly have not narrowed down my favorite species on the Ranch, but I do have a list of several species that I like the most. Towards the top of that list is the acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus). This bird is relatively common throughout the Ranch, and it is one that I have seen often while planting valley oak (Quercus lobata) acorns. An acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) staring out from inside a tree cavity. Photo by Dave Collins.
Acorn woodpeckers are medium-sized woodpeckers that are almost all black except for their white chest, a white patch near their tail, and a signature red cap. They also have an interesting white pattern on their face that surrounds their beaks, but does not reach their eyes. When in flight, white patches towards the edges of their wings can be seen. These social woodpeckers are very active and vocal; they can often be seen flitting from one tree to another while calling out to one another. Their squeaky vocalizations are quite unique, and can almost sound as if they are laughing with each other. An acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) perched on a granary. Photo by Chris Gardner.
The preferred habitat for acorn woodpeckers is oak woodlands. As their name suggests, these woodpeckers spend a lot of time collecting and storing acorns. These birds construct impressive granaries within the bark of trees by forming many holes that are just large enough to fit an acorn. They store the acorns that they collect during that fall season within the holes of the granary, allowing them to have a consistent food source until the next fall. A granary made by acorn woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus). Photo by Laura Pavliscak.
Since I spent a lot of time in oak woodlands this past year working on valley oak restoration, I had the opportunity to observe many of these acorn woodpeckers. I enjoyed being able to hear their almost sassy-sounding calls while I worked on planting acorns – the same acorns that they were collecting and storing in the nearby valley oak trees. It sometimes felt as though they were complaining that we had taken their precious food and were putting it into the ground instead of into their granaries. Nevertheless, seeing and hearing these quirky birds always brightens my day on the Ranch. Their presence always reminds me of the importance of restoring valley oaks. These acorn woodpeckers and countless other organisms depend on the valley oaks. I want to ensure that valley oaks can continue to be a reliable source of habitat and food for these organisms, so that others can enjoy the presence of creatures like acorn woodpeckers for generations to come. An acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) inserting an acorn into a granary hole. Photo by Laura Pavliscak.
Interested in a private tour? Please contact Reema Hammad, Public Access Coordinator at rhammad@tejonconservancy.org.
A few housekeeping items for events: Participants must observe the Conservancy's policies for Public Access events, and all events require pre-registration; rules and registration links can be found on our website calendar here. Events may be subject to change or cancellation.
Thank you!
The Tejon Ranch Conservancy E-News was produced by volunteer Susan Chaney. If you’d like to contribute, please contact us.