Historical Olive Grove

The Encino Conservancy Ranch includes a historic olive grove that represents both the agricultural history of the site and an important opportunity for restoration. Our primary goal with the olive grove will be to reduce fire load by cleaning out the dead wood, prune the trees to a few primary shoots, and replenish the topsoil, mulch, apply compost extracts, and build earthworks to slow the water.

Genetic testing from UC Davis has informed us that the primary trees are Mission Olives. Although the trees need significant pruning to produce the new growth that will support fruit growth, we were able to harvest and press in the 2024-5 season and produced a delicious and precious olive oil from this grove.

Recent field work has shown that the grove supports more than tree cover alone—it also provides habitat value and learning opportunities that align with our broader stewardship goals. During a recent springtime bioblitz, experts identified a large stand of Plantago erectus within the olive grove. This native plant is a host species for the federally endangered Quino checkerspot butterfly, highlighting the grove’s ecological significance alongside its cultural and agricultural history. Protecting and enhancing this understory habitat will be a key consideration as restoration moves forward.

We are currently developing a phased restoration plan for the olive grove using recommendations from olive expert Paul Vossen. The goal is to bring the grove back into healthy, productive condition while supporting native biodiversity and improving wildfire resilience through thoughtful understory management. Our capacity is limited, and we will be seeking funding and support to implement this work, which we also envision as a hands‑on learning site for future vocational training and youth education programs.