Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve
Natural reserve in California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. It is also the only place the critically endangered Splitting Yarn or Iron Maiden's Hair lichen Sulcaria isidiifera can be found.[3] The 85-acre (34 ha) park was established in 1972.[4]
| Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)[1] | |
Mock heather (Ericameria ericoides) in Los Osos Oaks State Natural Reserve. | |
  Location within California  Location within the United States | |
| Location | San Luis Obispo County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Los Osos, California |
| Coordinates | 35°18′23″N 120°48′49″W |
| Area | 85 acres (34 ha) |
| Established | 1972 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
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.[5]
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.[6] The closures were ultimately avoided by cutting hours and maintenance system-wide.[7]
