We focus on one of California's most urgent environmental challenges: the disappearing blue oak woodlands that once dominated the state's landscape.

Located in the picturesque Diablo Mountain Range of San Benito County, just 35 miles from Pinnacles National Park, our 40-acre property stands as both witness to this crisis and laboratory for its solution.

Here, ancient blue oaks stretch skyward, some having watched over this land for hundreds of years. Yet these trees face unprecedented threats—climate change, sudden oak death, development, altered land management practices, and invasive species. With experts projecting only fifty more years for these ecosystems without intervention, our work has taken on profound urgency.

Our approach merges reverence for traditional ecological knowledge with rigorous modern conservation science. We begin habitat restoration by first taking out the invasive grass with either fire or hand tools. Wildfarmers has a soil seed bank with over 100 native species and these are planted beneath the oaks, building up the understory. This has yielded remarkable results: in our actively stewarded areas, sapling growth has increased by 400%, demonstrating living proof that these ecosystems can regenerate when given proper care.

Water—life's most essential element—forms the cornerstone of our restoration strategy. Through carefully designed catchment systems, vernal pools, and wildlife guzzlers, we've increased year-round water availability by 400%, creating vital oases for native species. Our ponds and wetlands serve as crucial gathering places for wildlife, from ground squirrels and bunnies to bobcats and mountain lions.

Beyond ecological restoration, we've maintained our founding commitment to human connection with nature. Our land serves as a sanctuary where people can rediscover their relationship with wilderness through camping under ancient oaks, participating in hands-on restoration work, or learning about native plants. These immersive experiences transform visitors into advocates and stewards, creating a growing community of blue oak protectors.

The principles of reciprocity guide everything we do. We give care to the ecosystem and receive its gifts in return—cleaner air, cooler temperatures, greater biodiversity, and the soul-nourishing peace that comes from time spent in healthy natural spaces. When we commit to healing the land, it responds in kind, restoring not just ecosystems but the human spirit as well.

As we look to the future, our San Benito County site represents more than just a patch of stewarded land. It serves as a living model for what's possible—a demonstration that damaged ecosystems can recover their vitality when communities come together in active stewardship. Through our work, we're developing scalable restoration techniques that can be replicated across California's 3.3 million acres of threatened blue oak habitat.

The blue oaks have survived for millions of years, weathering countless changes. With proper care and commitment, they can survive this crisis too. We invite you to join us in this vital work of ecological healing and human reconnection with the wild.