2021 Year of the Oak

The Year of the Oak celebrates the iconic native oak trees surrounding us, not only in Oak Harbor, but greater Whidbey Island. This declining species ties us to our identity and our landscape in real and intangible ways. With nurturing, we can help to keep the oaks healthy and increase their population to generate benefits for current and future generations. Garry oaks that survive today represent strength, stability, and noble character. Their striking appearance, distinctly different from conifer trees, remain a timeless symbol of this special place we call home.

• Plant an oak seedling on your property. Even a single Garry oak can make a significant contribution to the biological richness of your property. The Society has seedlings available.
• Take our self-guided Oak Tree Tour.
• Visit the Native Plant Garden at the Oak Harbor Post Office to see many native plants and wildflowers associated with Garry oaks that each have helpful plant ID signs.
• Tag our Facebook page, @oakharborgarryoaksociety, with selfies next to your favorite local oak tree and share why it’s your favorite.
• Create art in the medium of your choice- be it collage, paint, colored pencil, sewn textile pieces, photography, glass, woodwork, etc., and share by tagging our Facebook page, @oakharborgarryoaksociety.
• Make chalk impressions, quotes, and/or art in the main plaza of Windjammer Park. (Please only mark chalk on the concrete surface in the plaza area.)
• Look for hidden painted rocks with nature themes by members of the Whidbey Island Rocks group all around our area.
• Take children on a scavenger hunt to look for significant parts of oak trees to ID, such as bark, buds, male and female flowers, leaves, twigs, lichens and moss, acorns, etc.
• Read books related to oaks. Here are a few book ideas.
• Write a poem about oak trees and share.
• Visit Smith Park and look for the spring wildflower bloom.