Naming an iconic piece of land is both an honor and a responsibility. I grew up on the south shore of White Bear Lake and while still a kid, my grandfather’s Juneway Farm became Dellwood Country Club (originally Dellwood Hills), so I’m passionate about local history and nature. When my partners and I were thinking of a name for our new community, I researched the provenance of the land. I learned that before it was a farm, it was likely an oak savanna, a prairie grassland where oaks are the dominant tree species.
Once upon a time, oak savannas were common across Minnesota and the Midwest. Native Americans cherished them because they were prime habitat for bison and other wildlife. Left unattended, savannas would naturally fill in with trees and shrubs, so the Native Americans would regularly set controlled fires to maintain the open land. But, because oaks are naturally fire-resistant and lightning-resistant, these sturdy trees continued to punctuate the landscape. When the European settlers arrived, they claimed the land for hunting and farming and oak savannas all but disappeared.
Today, these rare oak savannas are increasingly endangered in Minnesota, so we feel fortunate to have 18 original open growth white oaks on our land. As stewards of the savanna, we’re honored to protect and preserve this priceless ecosystem for the lucky families who make this unique community their home, as well as for generations to come. Learn more
Sincerely,
David Washburn
co-founder, White Oaks Savanna
