| The Santa Ynez Valley:
Oak Woodlands and Agricultural Change
(as presented in the APCG newsletter "Santa Ynez Valley
Oak Woodlands and Wineries") |
Field trip lead by:
Claudia Tyler (UCSB Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Biological Sciences) Sedgwick Ranch
Ann Dittmer (CSUN, Department of Geography) Agricultural Change
Thursday September 13, 2001
Departure: 8:30am from the Corwin Pavilion
Return: approximately 5pm to the Corwin Pavilion
Cost: $40.00 includes transportation, box lunch and wine tasting
Explore the agricultural development and natural resources of the Santa
Ynez
Valley. A
backroads tour will lend new insight to the hidden treasures of this
wonderful valley.
Staying away from the "tourist trail" for much of the tour, we will focus
on changes
to both the valley's natural landscape as well as the cultural and historical
landscape.
A special stop on our tour will be to the UC Reserve at Sedgwick Ranch,
providing
a fabulous glimpse of the Santa Ynez Valley's natural resources. A former
cattle
ranch, Sedgwick was acquired by the UC Reserve system in 1996. Claudia
Tyler will discuss
oak woodland and grassland ecology, cattle grazing and range management in
annual
grasslands, as well as restoration of oak woodlands. Expect a short walk
through
oak woodlands: .3 miles on mostly level ground with 2 short steep slopes on
dirt trail.
(Above: Looking north at the town of Santa Ynez.) Beyond the natural
environment, changes in the valley over the last 200 years have
been dramatic. Essentially dominated by rural agriculture for the majority
of this
time, fragmentation of farmland by recent subdivision has disrupted this
pattern on
the landscape and has forced major changes in the look and practice of
agriculture in
the valley.
From agricultural fields in 1925 Solvang (left) to subdivision
in 1997. (Note the prominent Lutheran Church tower in both photos for
perspective.)
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 |
Dairies once numbered up to 30 in the local area from 1920-1940
(left).
Today, only one dairy remains in the valley. But the wine grape (right)
has exploded in
popularity in the last 10 years, dominating agricultural development within
the valley
and elsewhere in the county.
We will explore these changes and discuss the causes and trends behind much
of the
change. In addition, we
will look at several of the other historically/culturally relevant sites in
the valley
such as the terminus of the narrow gauge railroad in Los Olivos and the
development
of Solvang into a Danish-style tourist center and stop for wine tasting at Buttonwood
Winery at the end of the tour.
Stops on this tour:
Cold Springs Tavern (San Marcos Pass)
Sedgwick Ranch
Mattei's Tavern (Los Olivos)
Solvang
Buttonwood Winery
Tour length: 8:30am - approximately 5:00pm
Weather and clothing: Temperatures in Santa Ynez can be very warm in
September
with maximum temperatures reaching 92 degrees F (though mean max
temperature is
reported at 67 degrees F, with mean rel humidity 83%). This variable
climatic regime
suggests comfortable cotton
attire and short sleeves, but bring a light jacket. A hat, water, and comfortable
shoes (NO
heels!) are strongly suggested.
Click here for a detailed
itinerary of tour
Click here for more information on the
Sedgwick
Reserve
Click here for more information on the
Santa Barbara
County Oak
Restoration Project
Revised July 18, 2001
