Follow the history of conservation in Tulare County by exploring the timeline below.

(Note: The entries in italics outline significant historic events that provide context for the story of conservation in Tulare County.)

1971          The initial Visalia Oaks Ordinance is adopted by the City of Visalia.

1972          Allensworth Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(February 23,    1972).

1973          The Endangered Species Act protects “critically imperiled species from extinction as a “consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation.”

1973          “Acres for SCICON” drive begins.

1973          Ledbetter Park is dedicated at a public celebration.  The land for the park was donated by Lee and Hazel Ledbetter in 1971.

1974          The Forest and Rangelands Act authorizes long-range planning by the U.S. Forest Service to ensure the future supply of forest resources while maintaining a quality environment.

1974          Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is established.

1975          Yaudanchi Ecological Reserve is established near Porterville.

1975          The Rural Valley Lands Plan, an innovative and objective planning tool designed to protect rural property from premature development, is adopted by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors (December 2, 1975).

Ledbetter Park, Cutler-Orosi
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

1976          The Federal Land Policy and Management Act is enacted to guide management of lands controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, specifically requiring BLM to manage for mulitple use and sustained yield for present and future generations; it also ends land claims under the 1862 Homestead Act (except in Alaska, where claims were allowed until 1988).

1976          “Acres for SCICON” drive successfully concludes, adding 1,000 acres to SCICON.

1976          Blue Ridge Critical Condor Habitat Zone is designated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

1977          The Smithsonian Institution Shelter (Sequoia National Park, summit of Mt. Whitney) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (March 8, 1977).

1977          The Squatter’s Cabin (Sequoia National Park; at Huckleberry Meadow) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (March 8, 1977).

1977          Tharp’s Log (Sequoia National Park; near Crescent Meadow) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (March 8, 1977).

1977          Quinn Ranger Station (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (April 13, 1977).

1977          Hospital Rock (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(August 29, 1977).

1977           Cattle Cabin (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(September 15, 1977).

Mineral King, Sequoia National Park
Moro Rock Stairway, Sequoia National Park

1978          Congress adds Mineral King to Sequoia National Park.

1978          Shorty Lovelace Historic District (Kings Canyon National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (January 31, 1978).

1978          The Barton-Lackey Cabin (Kings Canyon National Park) is added to National Register of Historic Places  (March 30, 1978).

1978          The Redwood Meadow Ranger Station (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (April 13, 1978).

1978          The Ash Mountain Entrance Sign (aka the Indian Head sign) at Sequoia National Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places (April 27, 1978).

1978          Cabin Creek Ranger Residence and Dormitory (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (April 27, 1978).

1978          Hockett Meadow Ranger Station (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (April 27, 1978).

1978          Giant Forest Lodge Historic District (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (May 5, 1978).

1978          Pear Lake Ski Hut (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(May 5, 1978).

1978          Giant Forest Village-Camp Kaweah Historic District (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (May 22, 1978.

1978          Generals Highway Stone Bridges (Sequoia National Park) are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (September 13, 1978).

1978          Moro Rock Stairway (Sequoia National Park) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (December 29, 1978).

1979          The Hyde House (500 S. Court St.) in Visalia is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
(April 26, 1979).

1979          The 10-acre Hogwallows Preserve (v) (aka the Lindcove or Buckman Hogwallows, Ave. 314 W of Rd. 220 near Lindcove), having been protected for decades by the Buckman family to preserve its natural features, is donated to the Tulare County Historical Society for preservation in its natural state in perpetuity (April 26, 1979).

Pear Lake Ski Hut, Sequoia NP
Hogwallows Preserve