Here you can see my concept design for a site of approximately 2.5 acres in the California interior chaparral and woodlands ecoregion.
It is located within an area where blue oak woodland predominates but the site itself has been degraded by human activity and largely denuded of its native vegetation cover. The client’s primary goal is to regenerate native oak woodland on the property, with a secondary focus on food production.
Permaculture Design to Restore and Protect Ancient Blue Oak Woodlands
The blue oak woodlands form a patchwork of forest and savanna along the foothills of the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada, surrounding California’s Central Valley. These stunning woodlands represent one of the state’s largest ecosystems, but they face threats from agricultural expansion, suburban growth, and a notable decline in natural regeneration.
On this particular site, only a handful of the native trees still remain and the idea is to expand the existing small patches of tree cover to restore a larger patch of this important native ecosystem.
Forest garden zones within glades in this restored woodland area aim to bring in more human yields, to find some balance between regenerative rewilding and human need. Paths will allow access to the woodland and the forest garden zones and, across the property, to further woodland trails through pockets of ancient woodland beyond.
The flower-like patterns within the design are not merely aesthetic, but are a response to the natural contours of the site and the shapes suggested by them.
The ‘petals’ of each forest garden zone radiate outwards and downwards from two slightly higher promontories on the site, where irrigation ponds for gravity-fed low-water use irrigation systems will be located.
Wildfire risk is managed to a degree through the use of these water ponds and a natural swimming pool within the design. Planting near the existing home and garage are carefully considered to mitigate risks to the residence.
If you would like to know more about strategies for native habitat restoration suited to your specific location, and how you might restore native vegetation while also meeting your own needs and wishes for your property, please get in touch.
I specialise in designs that meld restoration, rewilding and agriculture or gardening and would love to hear from you if you feel I can be of assistance with your project.
EWSP Consultancy 