MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK : Drive Aimed at Saving Southland Oak Groves

Citing successful efforts to save redwood groves in Northern California, a conservation group this week launched a campaign to use private charitable donations to preserve and restore the ancient oaks that once symbolized the Southern California landscape.

Under the shade of two century-old oaks in Malibu Creek State Park, about 85 conservationists, park officials and schoolchildren gathered to inaugurate “Commemorative Oaks,” a program that will allow donors to dedicate oak groves, native grasslands or individual trees to friends or loved ones.

The program initially will operate in the park, where donations will pay for habitat restoration and acquisition of neighboring lands.