Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve

Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)[1]
Mock heather (Ericameria ericoides) in Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve.
Map showing the location of Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Map showing the location of Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Map showing the location of Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Map showing the location of Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
LocationSan Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Nearest cityLos Osos, California
Coordinates35°18′23″N 120°48′49″W / 35.30639°N 120.81361°W / 35.30639; -120.81361
Area85 acres (34 ha)
Established1972
Governing bodyCalifornia Department of Parks and Recreation

Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve is a California State Park in western San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast of California region. It preserves centuries-old coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) growing atop relict sand dunes.[2] It is located in the Los Osos Valley between San Luis Obispo and Baywood Park-Los Osos, just outside the town of Los Osos. The 85-acre (34 ha) park was established in 1972.[3]

Area history

There are several prehistoric sites in the proximate vicinity of the Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve, in addition to archaeological recovery within the reserve itself. A significant-sized Chumash site, Los Osos Back Bay, has been partially excavated on a stabilized sand dune slightly to the north of the reserve dating to at least as early as 1200 CE.[4]

Proposed for closure

The reserve was one of several state parks threatened with closure in 2008. After the 2009 California state special elections, in which voters turned down a package of propositions dealing with California budget crisis, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed the temporary closure (for at least 2 years) of 220 parks.[5] The closures were ultimately avoided by cutting hours and maintenance system-wide.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Protected Planet | Los Osos Oaks State". Protected Planet. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Los Osos Oaks SNR". California State Parks. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  3. ^ "California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10" (PDF). California State Parks: 30. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
  4. ^ Hogan, C. Michael (February 8, 2008). "Los Osos Back Bay". Megalithic Portal.
  5. ^ Moore, Michael (May 29, 2009). "Henry Coe on governor's list of parks to close". The Gilroy Dispatch. Gilroy, Calif. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  6. ^ McGreevy, Patrick; Louis Sahagun (September 26, 2009). "State parks to stay open, but with cuts in hours, staffing". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif. Retrieved December 30, 2011.