Zoos nationally understand that conservation means protecting not only animals, but their habitat too, and many of them are doing just that. In fact, the Accreditation Standards of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) require that member organizations participate in conservation programs emphasizing “ecosystem conservation.”

Last June, Oakland elected officials gave approval to the Oakland Zoo to build a 56 acre California conservation theme park in one of the most remarkable natural ecosystems remaining in Oakland today, the Knowland Park highlands. Since the Santa Barbara Zoo had already opened a “California Trails” exhibit complex in 2009, I drove down last summer to see how they built the new exhibit while still keeping true to the conservation message.

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Chaparral, a quintessential California vegetation

There are several different types of native shrub communities in Knowland Park, but none is as rare or fascinating as the remnant stand of maritime chaparral located on the northwestern side of the park. Chaparral is a quintessential California vegetation, and winter is an excellent time of year to explore the chaparral at Knowland Park. As you follow the path into brush, you’ll find yourself in a maze-like realm of twisted, lichen-encrusted trunks and unique plant life. Truly wondrous!

This post is the first in a series focusing on some of the native shrubs found there.

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