Oak Treesthe Group

FKAJoshua Trees

Destination: Oakhurst, Ca

Group Members:

Kris Chavez

Rick Porter

Ciro Lo Pinto

Deb Walchuk

Sharon Williams

Lisa Hokholt

Winnie Chen Oakhurst or

Bust

Oakhurst, California93644

Mission Statement

“To promote and support the economic vitality while honoring and preserving

the unique lifestyles of our Mountain communities.”

Community Description

• 17 miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park.

• Largest of the mountain communities boasting a population of just under 13,000.

• Aka Fresno Flats - generally mild climate and its ample opportunities for recreation.

Industry and Employers

• Yosemite Concessions

• Yosemite National Park

• School Districts• Sierra Telephone

Services• U.S. Forest Service• CA Dept. of

Transportation Highway Maintenance

• Service Industry

Demographics

• 60% Retirees• Most newcomers are

transplants pre-retired – from Bay Area and LA.

• 5 Elementary Schools• 22 Churches• 3% unemployment rate.

• 12% of families are

below poverty rate.

Ethnic Groups

86.1

0.2

0.2

0.7

2

7.2

3.6 White

African American

AIAN

Asian

Native Hawaiian/PI

Hispanic/Latino

Others

Agriculture

• 36 Farms (2002 census)

• Average Farms Size 3-5– 6 orchard farms– 13 horse and pony– 8 beef– 12 cow/calf

Tribes

• One Tribe – Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians

Resource InformationFirst Stop

Visitors Center

US Forest Service

a.k.a Ciro’s New Best Friend

Visitor Center

Lisa Sesto

Marketing/Projects

Coordinator

Local InformationKermit

Local heavy equipment operator

Chamber of Commerce

Library Information

Waunetta Fuchs, Acting Branch Manager

Other Resource Information

Internet Information

Library References

Brochures

Newspapers

Bulletin Boards

Personal Observations

Public Contacts

Challenges and Opportunities of the Community

• To save the town after the timber industry • Incorporation• Riparian corridor preservation to facilitate the

migratory needs of wildlife• Uranium contamination in fissure well water• Fire management for grasses, oats, and

buckeyes• Vegetation degradation

Challenges and opportunity of the community

• Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YART)• Employment for young people/more industry• Sidewalks and park lighting• Public park space• H factor

Challenges and Opportunities of the Communities

• No forums for communication for various groups

• City is growing fast– Population is growing to fast– No town general plan– Development may not be planned

out• Afraid to be a parking lot community• RCD does not have a conservation

district• Flooding• Education about Wildlife – Raccoon,

bear, beavers issues• Weeds – star thistle, sudden oak

death

Missing Items and solutions

• Minimize risk with flooding-Strategize development-Future water supply plan

• Fire Plan-No defensible space

• Develop Economic plan to reduce seasonal economic slumps

• Need to develop Permanent RCD Presence • Ethnic Diversity • Age Diversity• Environmental Advocates

How to Address

Develop an Outreach plan

Develop an Area Conservation Plan

Wish you were here!