Spenceville Wildlife Area
Map SatelliteOak woodland and grassland, typical of the Sierra foothills, cover virtually all of this area which lies immediately east of Camp Beale. The woodland, which is generally open with a grass understory, includes interior live oak, Quercus wislizenii, blue oak, Quercus douglasii, and occasional valley oak, Quercus lobata. In portions of the area, gray pine, Pinus sabiniana, is an element of the woodland, and the understory is an open chaparral with Arctostaphylos spp. and Ceanothus spp.
There are a number of seeps and swales with tule, Scirpus sp., Juncus spp., and occasional willows, Salix sp. Along the stream courses, particularly the permanently flowing Dry Creek, a riparian association is present, with cottonwood, Populus fremontii, and willow, Salix sp.
Animal life is abundant and includes such game as mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, California quail, Lophortyx californicus, mourning dove, Zenaidura macroura, and turkey, Meleagris gallopavo. The latter was introduced in the 1960's and is now well established.
Integrity: The area has been managed for a variety wildlife since it was established in 1962. There are campsites, roads, trails, a shooting range, and other facilities in the area. Grass fires are a frequent occurrence here.
Use: Present. Research, educational, observational.
July 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman