darcy
Nov. 9, PAD YATRA: A Green Odyssey

Click here to buy PAD YATRA: A Green Odyssey tickets! The film maker Wendy Lee will attend the screening to talk about the challenges of making this film under such difficult environmental conditions.
Valley View PreserveAcknowledgement Sign

Below is the image of valley view donor thank you sign, which is way too small to read with the human eye. Almost 500 households contributed to the Valley View acquisition as compared to the 135 households listed on the acknowledgement sign for the Ventura River Preserve in 2003. PLEASE CLICK one or two times […]
Updated Ojai Meadows Preserve Bird Checklist

Now when you go to the Ojai Meadows Preserve with your binoculars and field guide you will have a better understanding of the birds that you see. We welcome feedback on this checklist and will periodically update the list based on survey information. This particular draft was updated. Notice the small date on the front […]
Watch a short Valley View Preserve film!
The Proposed Valley View Preserve in Ojai Clicking the link above will launch a lovely 3 min film about featuring the proposed Valley View Preserve in Ojai, CA.
Google Earth Tour of Proposed Valley View Preserve
Support the acquisition of this preserve today! Click Here To Give. Click here for a 2 page PDF about the project.
Support the Valley View Preserve!

Support the Valley View Preserve! The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy seeks to raise $650,000 by May 2013 to permanently protect as publicly accessible open space the largest, most visible private parcel remaining in Ojai. The proposed “Valley View Preserve” measures almost 1 mile east to west, and is roughly ½ mile deep. It is a significant part […]
New Fuelbreak Trail Map

Updated recently, here is a trail map so you can explore the Fuelbreak Trail that sits above the Shelf Road Trail in downtown Ojai.
Ventura River Preserve Updated Map (July 2012)

Updated Ventura River Preserve Trail Map – (July 2012)
Native Plant Blog by OVLC Nursery Manager
Check out Ron Singer’s native plant blog below. Ron Singer manages the OVLC plant nursery and is an avid volunteer. http://ojairambler.wordpress.com/
Make the Ojai Meadows Preserve Accessible to All
Make the Ojai Meadows Preserve Accessible to All School is winding down, but community service opportunities abound. You or someone you know may be interested in a community service project on a section of trail on the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Ojai Meadows Preserve adjacent to Nordhoff High School. The section in need of work […]
Bridges…of Ventura County

There is a beautiful new bridge in town and it is NOT YET at the Ojai Meadows Preserve. If you were one of the 100 people who attended the grand opening of the new bridge at the confluence of San Antonio Creek and the Ventura River recently then you witnesses history in the making. Story […]
Passion Inspires Creek Realignment

The Sespe Fly Fishers Club recently recognized Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s commitment to preservation of the environment and support for local conservation through direct action in the Ojai Valley. Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, is committed to supporting local conservation efforts. Couinard is also a fly fisherman and member of the Sespe Fly Fishers Club […]
Celebrate 25 years – Give Today!

Jim Engel, former Executive Director, at Riverview Trailhead dedication at the Ventura River Preserve. Jim holds a sign of the river bottom circa 1929. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear OVLC, happy birthday to you! In honor of 25 years of conservation in the Ojai Valley the OVLC is […]
Patronize OVLC Business Sponsors

Please thank the sponsors below for helping the Ojai Valley stay beautiful and healthy by patronizing their places of business when possible. If you would like information on becoming a business sponsor click 2013 OVLC Business Sponsorships Levels. You can become a member online today. For questions or to become a member over the phone call Darcy Gamble […]
Trails Saved at Ventura River Preserve
Ojai – The California Conservation Corps, Camarillo Crew 22 worked with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Preserve Manager and volunteers to help save the Wills Canyon trail on the Ventura River Preserve from destruction. Check out the cool soil wrap technique used to stabilize this trail.
We think eating local food is good for the Ojai Valley.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors Proclaims: Eat Local, Buy California Grown Day WHEREAS, California has a rich heritage and is one of the world’s most prolific agricultural regions. California foods are famous for their abundance, diversity, freshness, and high quality. Buying California-grown food helps local family farmers, California food producers, and California employees and […]
May 5, Restoration Tour of the Ojai Meadows Preserve
May 5, 2012 8:30 AM to ~ 9:30 AM Meet at the pull out off Highway 33 just west of Nordhoff HS for a guided hike of the Ojai Meadows Preserve led by OVLC Conservation Director, former long time Executive Director of the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo, and restroation author, Brian Stark. Brian Stark […]
May 5, Tour the Ventura River Preserve
May 5, 2012 8:30 AM to ~ 10:30 AM Meet at the Riverview Trailhead for a guided hike of the Ventura River Preserve led by retired Professor Art Vander. This hike is free to everyone. Join us and bring your friends. Bring water and sturdy shoes. This is a gentle walk, but the terrain can […]
www.venturawatershed.org
www.venturawatershed.org For everything related to the Ventura River watershed please go to the website above or contact Lorraine Walter at lorraine@ovlc.org . You may also call OVLC at 805 649 6852 to ask for Lorraine or select the extension of the Ventura River Watershed Coordinator.
Coordinating a Watershed by OVLC’s Ventura River Watershed Coordinator, Lorraine Walter

Blank stares. That’s what I get when I tell people I’m a watershed coordinator. The job title even stumped staff at the California Regional Water Quality Control Board this week when I called. The staff person interrogated me for several minutes about what a watershed coordinator does, and then his final question was, “Why?” It’s […]
New Adopt-A-Meadow Program Underway

Girls playing at the Ojai Meadows Preserve Adopt-A-Meadow Program: At The Ojai Meadows Preserve Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be personally responsible for creating a wildflower meadow? I would tell you how great it feels, but it wouldn’t be the same as feeling it yourself. For those that would like […]
Wildlife Thriving On Ventura River Preserve

Can you guess what creature made these prints? We are thankful for the beauty that surrounds us.
All about the new Ventura River Steelhead Preserve and Ventura River Watershed
Greg Gamble was featured on a recent local Surf and River Report on August 10th, 2011. Greg Gamble, Executive Director of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) gives us a guided tour of the newly established Ventura River Steelhead Preserve in Ventura, CA. More videos about the Ventura River Watershed can be found at www.surfandriverreport.com.
New Watershed Coordinator to Address Critical Water Issues

Ojai – This week Lorraine Walter began her three-year tenure as the Ventura River Watershed Coordinator. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy was awarded a three-year grant to fund the position and is hosting this function from their Ojai Valley office, located at HELP of Ojai’s west campus off of Highway 150. The idea for the […]
Protecting the “Entire” Ventura River – Steelhead Preserve Campaign Begins

You may have heard about the coalition advancing the vision of the “Ventura River Parkway” stretching 16 miles from the river’s headwaters to the ocean. Our goal is to connect people with their healthy, functioning river through appropriate and sensitive riverside parks and trails. There are a number of important aspects of this effort, […]
KCLU’s Lance Orozco Talks With Gamble About New Preserve
A section of the Ventura River that’s critical habitat for endangered steelhead, and other species is being preserved forever, thanks to a local land conservancy, and some state agencies. KCLU’s Lance Orozco has the story. Click on link to listen to story (MP3): About the new Ventura River Steelhead Preserve
New Ventura River Steelhead Preserve Announced

For Immediate Release – June 21, 2011 Media Inquiries: Greg Gamble, Executive Director, (805) 649-6852 ext.1 New Ventura River Steelhead Preserve Announced As part of its continuing efforts to preserve the entire Ventura River, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, on June 17th, successfully completed the purchase of a roughly 1 mile stretch of the Ventura […]
New Homes on the Ojai Meadows Preserve
A 12,000 pound log from downtown Ojai was moved to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Ojai Meadows Preserve near Nordhoff High School to provide habitat for birds and lizards. Thank you Paradise Artists, John Lamar, and T&T Crane Service for making this happen.
A New Trail Head (Equestrian and ADA Friendly)!

Please save May 19th at 3 PM for the grand opening of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s newest trailhead at the Ventura River Preserve. Join us at the end of Old Baldwin Road off Highway 150. Click here for the details and directions.
Conservation Director Stark’s Restoration Field Guide Book
An Expert in Our Midst Ojai – Last Friday and Saturday the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Conservation Director Brian Stark shared is habitat restoration expertise with scores of professionals from around the State of California. The Salmonid Restoration Federation is hosting its annual conference this weekend in San Luis Obispo and Brian Stark is front and center […]
Attention: Watershed Coordinator Position

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy has been awarded a 3-year grant to hire a Watershed Coordinator. The primary responsibility of the Watershed Coordinator will be to work with our Ventura River watershed partners in the development of a watershed management plan. The grant agreement is being prepared, and after this is complete OVLC will post […]
2011 Guide to Land Protection (brochure)

2011 Guide to Land Protection– January 2011 In-depth Guide to Land Protection white paper – March 2011
Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP (Phil Moncharsh) Joins OVLC Business Sponsors

We are proud to welcome Rogers, Sheffield & Campbell, LLP (Phil Moncharsh) as new business sponsors of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC). Phil Moncharsh is one of the founding members of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and past OVLC President. He and his firm want to support conservation efforts in the Ojai Valley […]
Bostrom & Associates Landscape Architecture, Inc. Supports OVLC

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy would like to welcome and thank Tom Bostrom and his landscape architecture firm for becoming sponsors of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy! Founded by Tom Bostrom in 1998, Bostrom & Associates Landscape Architecture serves clients with a variety of project needs including public, commercial, institutional, and private estates. Completed projects […]
Vote “OVLC” for the Spirit of the Ojai Valley Award
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy was nominated for the Ojai Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of the Ojai Valley Award! Vote Now (Award #5) by clicking the link below! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GW95GW6 The Spirit of the Ojai Valley Award This award is for the chamber member who brings more than satisfaction; they give back to the Ojai Valley […]
The Law Office of Thomas E. Malley Supports the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy would like to thank and welcome the Law Office of Thomas E. Malley as a 2011 business sponsor. We are pleased to have their support and we hope that you will in turn consider using the Law Office of Thomas E. Malley the next time you need to consult […]
Ojai Meadows Preserve (brochure, map, and bird list)

Ojai Meadows Preserve Brochure – December 2010 Meadows Preserve Bird List – Updated October 2009
Channel Islands Sportfishing Center Joins Business Sponsors

We are proud to welcome Channel Island Sportfishing owned and operated by Doug and Liz Vernand as new business sponsors of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC). Liz walks Ojai Valley Land Conservancy land almost every day and she said this is what inspires her to support the Conservancy’s work. Liz photographs the preserves and […]
Join the Ojai Meadows Wildflower Posse!

Between this fall and next Spring, we are setting out to create a 2 acre wildflower extravaganza on The Ojai Meadows Preserve. In our ongoing effort to restore a variety of habitats on the Preserve, our next phase is to convert our weedy uplands into native grasslands and oak woodlands painted with wildflowers. This season […]
E-News: Thank You Rains of Ojai!

Each quarter we highlight two OVLC business sponsors in hopes that you will get to know them better, and thank them for their support by doing business with them. This quarter our business profiles are… Back to E-Newsletter (Fall 2010) RAINS OF OJAI – located in Ojai’shistoric arcade, is a one of a kind upscale country […]
Endangered Fish Are Rescued Each Year on Ventura River Preserve

Several fish rescues have taken place on the Ventura River Preserve this summer. Responsible agencies get together annually – and with the assistance of Rick Bisaccia OVLC’s Preserve Manager – they rescue Steelhead when the swim holes and other parts of the river dry out. The decision to move fish to safe locations up or […]
Brian Stark, OVLC’s Conservation Director Finishes Field Guide to Restoring Fish Habitats

This book, authored by our own witty Conservation Director Brian Stark, is practical, humorous, and welcome. This guide has been a long time coming in the Ojai Valley where the Giant Reed has all but consumed parts of San Antonio Creek. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy has four major areas of focus and one of […]
New OVLC Plant Babies

Here is a photo of our first successful transplants at the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Ojai Meadows Preserve nursery. These plants have spent the last 3-4 weeks in their rooting trays and have now graduated to soil! We are so proud of our little ones. We still need a few more volunteers for the nursery. […]
E-News: Volunteers Help Cut New Trails On VRP

Back to E-Newsletter (Summer 2010) Special thanks to Doug & Leanne Campbell, Tom Esensten, Mimi Gottlieb, Mike Gourley, Kay Martin and Rob Youngan additional 2.5 miles of trails for a connection to a new Ventura River Preserve trailhead. Currently the Riverview and Oso trailheads provide access to the northern and central areas of the preserve. […]
E-News: New Growth on the Ojai Meadows Preserve

By Brian Stark Back to E-Newsletter (Summer 2010) Visitors to the Ojai Meadows Preserve may notice some new activity near the Highway 33 trailheads. The OVLC is starting a new phase of restoration along the floodway chan that runs through the site to drain water from Maricopa Highway. The project involves planting an additional 500 trees and […]
E-News: Closed Fourth of July – Ojai Meadows Preseve
Back to E-Newsletter (Summer 2010) For the protection of sensitive habitat and to help prevent fires the Ojai Meadows Preserve will once again be closed to the public between the hours of 6:30pm and 9:30pm on July 4th. OVLC staff, volunteers and professional security will be at all entrances and inside the preserve to watch […]
E-News: OVLC Welcomes Back Roger Essick

Back to E-Newsletter (Summer 2010) The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Roger back as President Elect. An Ojai resident and avocado and citrus farmer for 36 years, Roger has enjoyed raising his family of two grown children and four grandchildren in the Ojai Valley. He lives in the east end of Ojai on […]
New Fabulous Restoration Staff – Tom Swetek

Go to E-Newsletter (Summer 2010) The OVLC habitat restoration program team welcomes Tom Swetek. Tom is a long-time Ojai resident with great experience in restoration project installation and care. Over the last few years he has worked with both the CREW and Channel Islands Restoration on projects to remove non-native plants and re-plant native habitats. […]
Introducing OVLC’s 2010 Community Partner Artist Dianne Bennett

Through the Ventura Arts Alive program Dianne Bennett has received a grant to support her work. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is one of her community partners for the year. Please see the video on youtube here to learn more and to meet Dianne and her work. Additonal information about Dianne and her work can […]