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Oak Glen Preserve
Oak Glen Preserve is a nature preserve owned and managed by The Wildlands Conservancy, a nonprofit land conservancy. Covering 909 acres (3.68 km2) in San Bernardino County, California, it is located in the western foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. Key features include the Southern California Montane Botanic Garden and Children's Outdoor Discovery Center, and Los Rios Rancho, California's largest historic apple orchard. The preserve receives 600,000 visitors per year. More preserves can be found in the list of preserves. RecreationActivities include picnicking, hiking, and educational programs. The northern part of the preserve includes Galena Peak (9,324 feet), Wilshire Peak (8,700 feet), Birch Mountain (7,826 feet), and additional nearby peaks such as Cedar Mountain and Oak Glen Peak, which offer scenic views.[2] Los Rios Rancho is Southern California's largest apple orchard and has been in operation since 1906. From September to November, visitors can pick apples and buy various apple-based products, like cider and pie. The orchard is managed through a long-term lease by Riley Family Enterprises, which operates the orchards, packing shed, and bakery, and organizes events during apple season.[2] Botanic GardenThe Southern California Montane Botanic Garden and Children's Outdoor Discovery Center are within the preserve. The garden contains a set of themed venues that are continually expanded. Within the 220 acres are oak woodlands, conifer forests, chaparral grasslands, redwood and sequoia trees, two streams, ponds, and wetlands, representing diverse montane habitats, including willow woodlands. The garden’s unique landscapes make it a popular location for photography.[2] The Botanic Garden has served as an educational resource for tens of thousands of students since 2014, providing field trips that showcase Southern California’s biodiversity. The conservancy plans to expand these programs to foster ecological awareness.[2] Children’s Outdoor Discovery CenterThe Conservancy offers a hands-on Children’s Outdoor Discovery Center, where a naturalist guides students in exploring local ecosystems. The Outdoor Discovery Program serves around 22,000 students each year and has introduced nearly half a million students to natural settings beyond their neighborhoods. Interactive garden trails include quizzes designed to engage visitors of all ages.[2] Botanic Garden Venues
GeographyThe preserve is located in a glen at 5,024 feet, beneath Wilshire Peak (8,700 feet). Flora and faunaA Canyon live oak is the largest of its species. The National Register of Champion Trees states it is 473 inches in circumference, 124 feet in height with a 98-foot crown spread.[5] There are plans to build a trail to the tree.[6] HistoryIn 1995, Los Rios Ranch was acquired by The Wildlands Conservancy. In 2004, most of the orchard was leased for apple growing and entertainment. In 2014, the Southern California Montane Botanic Garden and Children's Outdoor Discovery Center were opened.[7] In 2018, pests killed many of the oak trees. The diseased trees had to be removed.[8][9] In December 2019, a catastrophic snowstorm devastated trees. Several feet of wet snow caused limbs to fall and hundreds of trees to topple. The damage was compounded because the trees hadn't shed their leaves. Thirty percent of black oaks and many sycamores were lost.[10][11] A second snow storm hit in January 2020 causing additional damage. The damage was less severe than the prior storm because the deciduous trees had lost their leaves.[12] In 2020, three fires impacted the preserve. The Apple Fire burned to Wilshire Peak. Fire crews protected the champion oak tree.[13][14] The El Dorado Fire burned the north side of Oak Glen Preserve. A third fire destroyed the Los Rios Rancho buildings (bakery, store, packing house) and the preserve's ranger shop.[15][16][17] A couple of years later, a mudslide devastated a local business just down the road from the preserve.[18] See alsoReferences
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