Lance Walker wants to put 1,000 new oak trees in the ground across Thousand Oaks, and he's starting by giving saplings away for free.

Walker, founder of Tree Walker Inc. and the city's on-call arborist, will hand out complimentary native oak seedlings at a free community event Friday, Oct. 16, at Horizon Hills, 33 Greta St. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and is open to all residents, according to the Horizon Hills event page. Walker's initiative was first reported by the Thousand Oaks Acorn.

The giveaway launches what Walker calls his "1,000 Oaks" mission, a goal to plant 1,000 native oaks throughout the city that shares their name. Families can take home a young California oak or other native tree seedling while supplies last.

"The goal to plant 1,000 oaks starts with one sapling in a family's yard," Walker told the Acorn.

The city was incorporated in 1964, with residents choosing the name to honor the area's abundant oaks, according to city records. A 2023 estimate put the Conejo Valley's oak population at more than 50,000, according to the Thousand Oaks Library. The city protects all oak species over two inches in diameter and holds a Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation, according to city records.

Walker, a certified arborist and urban forest professional, founded Tree Walker Inc. in May 2025. The company signed a contract with the City of Thousand Oaks in summer 2026 to serve as its on-call arborist, the Acorn reported. In April 2026, Walker received SCORE Ventura County's Outstanding Business Resilience Award at the organization's banquet at the Palm Garden Hotel in Thousand Oaks, according to the Simi Valley Acorn.

Walker has also volunteered locally. In February 2026, he worked with Bridges Charter School in Thousand Oaks to help develop plans for an outdoor learning garden, orchard, farmstand and native planting area featuring California oaks and western sycamores.

The Oct. 16 event will include learning stations on native oaks, wildfire resilience and healthy ecosystems. Community partners include Athens Services, the Los Angeles County Fire Department Forestry Division, a local beekeeper station and the Channel Islands Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, according to a Ventura County Moms listing. The event also features nature-based sensory play for children ages 0 to 5.

Horizon Hills is offering a Legacy Tree Sponsorship program, allowing community members to sponsor a mature native tree planted on the school campus with an optional engraved dedication plaque.

Upcoming community event

  • Oak-tober at Horizon Hills — Friday, Oct. 16, 5 to 7 p.m., 33 Greta St., Thousand Oaks. Free admission. Native oak saplings available while supplies last.