OAK GLEN PRESERVE

Nestled in a glen, situated at 5,024 feet, in the shadow of 8,700-foot Wilshire Peak, lies The Wildlands Conservancy’s 909-acre Oak Glen Preserve. The Preserve is the home of the Conservancy’s Southern California Montane Botanic Garden and Children’s Outdoor Discovery Center and includes the entire 114-year-old Los Rios Rancho Apple Farm. Wildlands acquired many of the prominent mountain peaks that were private inholdings in the National Forest including Wilshire Peak, Cedar Mountain, and Oak Glen Peak, which form the scenic backdrop of Oak Glen. The Botanic Garden has excellent representations of montane habitats including ponds, streams, wetlands, oak and pine forests, chaparral and willow woodland.

Each year, more than 600,000 visitors make the scenic drive to Oak Glen to picnic, hike, participate in environmental programs, and pick apples and enjoy homemade apple pie at Los Rios Rancho. The Wildlands Conservancy has entered a long-term lease with third and fourth generation Oak Glen Apple growers to operate the orchards, packing shed and bakery. The lessee, Riley Family Enterprises, celebrates working the land and log cabin living, and hosts a country music venue.

CONSERVATION OUTCOMES

After rescuing Oak Glen’s largest apple farm from residential subdivision, Wildlands rescued Oak Glen a second time when the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) planned to condemn and shave off scenic peaks for 200-foot-tall, 500kv transmission towers. LADWP abandoned the project after Wildlands organized Oak Glen visitors to send over 50,000 postcards, letters, and emails in protest.  Now, The Wildlands Conservancy, with its on staff arborist, is trying to limit the damage of the goldspotted oak borer that is making its way across Southern California, destroying oak trees.