Nathan Wickstrum
Mountainfilm on Tour 2023 Virtual Auction & Raffle

In conjunction with Mountainfilm on Tour, we are hosting a virtual auction that closes on Monday, September 19 at 10 am. The auction is open to the public (no Mountainfilm on Tour ticket purchase required) and features a six-night stay at a 15th-century Tuscan hilltop house, a tour of the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve led by OVLC’s Executive Director, Tom Maloney, a tour of the world-renowned Turtle Conservancy, a Fletcher Chouinard Designs surfboard and a whole lot more!
Volunteer at Mountainfilm on Tour

Our big Mountainfilm on Tour event is returning to Ojai Valley School on September 16th. The success of this event, OVLC’s largest event of the year, depends in large part on our dedicated community of event volunteers. This year we expect to welcome roughly 2,000 attendees, which is why we really need your help! If […]
OVLC Mountainfilm on Tour 2023

Saturday, September 16, 2023Ojai Valley School (Lower Campus Sports Field): 723 El Paseo Rd, Ojai, CA 93023Gates open at 5 pm – Films start at 7:15 pm Join us for our 9th annual Mountainfilm on Tour on Saturday, September 16, or make it a weekend and also join us for Under the Open Sky, a […]
Strategic Plan – Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Alternatively you can download a PDF of the Strategic Plan here.
Invasive Plant Control – Russian Knapweed

Ojai Meadows Preserve (Partial Closure) – July 11, 2023 to July 14,2023 Invasive plant management is an essential pillar of restoration. Without the removal of noxious weeds, creating space for diverse flora and fauna is impossible. There are many methods of managing invasive plants, all of which OVLC has utilized according to the nuances of […]
Mountainfilm on Tour 2023

Lights, camera, conservation! Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) proudly presents our 9th annual Mountainfilm on Tour. Dig out your blankets and low-back chairs and join us on the field at Ojai Valley School’s Lower Campus Sports Field for another fantastic year of films and fun! Experience the beauty of nature, the thrill of adrenaline-pumping adventures, and the power of environmental storytelling as we showcase a carefully curated selection of films from the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride. From breathtaking landscapes to heartwarming stories of human resilience, these films will leave you with a profound love for our planet and a renewed commitment to its preservation.
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy to Host Prescribed Burn for Ecological Restoration Research

Ojai, CA 6/21/2023 – The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) is collaborating on an ecological restoration research project aimed at assessing the effectiveness of prescribed burning and broadcast seeding in restoring native species richness and cover, reducing the density of invasive species, and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The project will also evaluate the impact of prescribed burns on specific target species and investigate the long-term effects of consecutive burns and seeding.
OVLC ACQUIRES 9.55 ACRES IN SAN ANTONIO CREEK

Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) announces the purchase of 9.55 acres of land in San Antonio Creek. The acquisition signifies a milestone in the ongoing efforts to protect and restore the Ventura River watershed and the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley forever.
AYÚDANOS A PROTEGER EL RÍO VENTURA
El Río Ventura y su ecosistema circundante son valiosos recursos naturales que brindan numerosas oportunidades recreativas al tiempo que respaldan una rica biodiversidad de flora y fauna nativas. Como usuarios de esta tierra, es esencial que entendamos y apreciemos nuestra relación con el río y la tierra, y asumamos la responsabilidad de ser cuidadores diligentes. Al reconocer el valor de este ecosistema y trabajar activamente hacia su preservación, podemos asegurar su belleza continuada y su integridad ecológica para las generaciones venideras.
HELP US PROTECT THE VENTURA RIVER

The Ventura River and its surrounding ecosystem are valuable natural resources that provide numerous recreational opportunities while supporting a rich biodiversity of native flora and fauna. As users of this land, it is essential for us to understand and appreciate our relationship with the river and the land, and to take on the responsibility of being diligent stewards. By recognizing the value of this ecosystem and actively working towards its preservation, we can ensure its continued beauty and ecological integrity for generations to come.
National Trails Day: June 3, 2023

In celebration of American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, OVLC is hosting a number of volunteer opportunities including good old trail maintenance, trail cleanup, and some trail restoration work too. Projects will run from 8:30 am – 12 pm and range from easily accessible and not physically demanding to requiring a nice hike in with some rigorous work.
This is the perfect opportunity to get out in nature with the people you love, give back to the trails that bring us together, and make sure no one is left out. Our National Trails Day volunteer projects are fit for all ages and skill levels. We encourage you to invite the whole family!
SPRING NATIVE PLANT SALE 2023 – PLANT LIST
Need help identifying the native plants you purchased at the OVLC Spring Native Plant Sale?View the pdf below to identify your natives. OVLC Spring Native Plant Sale – Plant List » Wildflower Seed Mix Species »
SPRING NATIVE PLANT SALE 2023

Come to our Spring Native Plant Sale on April 29 from 9 am – 12 pm and buy plants for your yard! We will be selling some of our favorite drought-tolerant plants and a variety of wildflower seeds for you to grow at home in your garden.
All About Ojai: Ojai’s Dark Skies

Join us for an awe-inspiring evening as we delve into the wonders of the pristine night sky! Often overlooked, the star-filled sky above us is a precious natural resource that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of our natural and human ecosystems. In the Ojai Valley, we are fortunate to have a Dark Sky Ordinance that safeguards the ecological and aesthetic value of our surrounding natural landscapes, including Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s majestic preserves and the Los Padres National Forest.
OVLC NATIVE PLANT NURSERY INTERNSHIP

OVLC in partnership with Green Valley Project are looking for Native Plant Nursery Interns! This is a wonderful learning experience for high school students in the valley. All are encouraged to apply!
Procura el Arroyo

La organización ambientalista Ojai Valley Land Conservancy está realizando una consulta pública para identificar la visión de las comunidades con respecto a la futura eliminación de la presa Matilija y la subsecuente restauración del arroyo Matilija a su flujo original.
Reserve la fecha de nuestros Talleres Comunitarios el 25 de febrero del 2023. La organización ambientalista Ojai Valley Land Conservancy está realizando una consulta pública para identificar la visión de las comunidades con respecto a la futura eliminación de la presa Matilija y la subsecuente restauración del arroyo Matilija a su flujo original.
H20: Artist’s Reception & Silent Auction

Over the past few months, artists from the Pastel Society of the Gold Coast have been out on the preserves, connecting with nature through the art of painting. On March 4, 2023 from 5-8 pm at the Ojai Art Center the artists’ works will be exhibited and auctioned off. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the beauty of the preserves to your home and support OVLC and artists. The paintings will be displayed until March 29, 2023
Flood Damage Assessment: Ventura River Preserve

Damages to trails and infrastructure at Valley View Preserve have been completed. The following report provides a brief summary of our reconnaissance.
Flood Damage Assessment: Valley View Preserve

Damages to trails and infrastructure at Valley View Preserve have been completed. The following report provides a brief summary of our reconnaissance.
All About Ojai: Diurnal Raptor Identification and Ecology

On Thursday, January 26 Lizzy Chouinard will be presenting, “Diurnal Raptor Identification and Ecology: Ojai Valley Edition.” Learn the basics to identify and differentiate our local raptors with some intermediate to expert tips!
In this presentation we will learn all about the raptors of the Ojai Valley. We will cover the basics of what raptors are, how they live in our local environment, and how to identify them. This presentation will have a ton of photos, as well as time for questions and answers, and a list of resources to help support you in raptor study and identification. Saturday, January 28, Lizzy will lead a small group field trip to search out and identify raptors around the valley. This field trip will be limited to 12 participants.
Seek the Creek

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is conducting a community visioning process for the future removal and restoration of the Matilija Dam. This is an exciting project that will return the critical waterway of Matilija Creek to its original flow, providing much needed public open space to our region.
Join us for a community meeting on February 22, 23 or 25, where we’ll discuss potential use of the land around the Matilija Dam, as well as opportunities to provide more immediate improved access to existing open space in our region.
Native Plant Month

This November, OVLC is celebrating Native Plant Month to highlight the vital role native plants play in our local ecosystems and community. The Ojai Valley is currently experiencing landscape-scale shifts in our oak woodlands, chaparral, riparian, and agricultural lands. While climate change is a global issue, climate resilience requires a local strategy; and restoring ecosystem functions of native habitats will support the system’s ability to rebound from these extreme climate events.
Join us this month for any and all of the following events as we discuss the importance of native plants and how they benefit our local ecosystems and help strengthen our community’s resilience to climate change.
All About Ojai: Rick Ridgeway, Life Lived Wild

Join us Friday, October 14 from 5—9 pm at the historic Ventura River Steelhead Preserve for an evening with legendary mountaineer and author, Rick Ridgeway, as he discusses the adventures from his latest book Life Lived Wild.
Art in Nature’s Wonderland

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and Ojai Studio Artists invite you to experience Art in Nature’s Wonderland. Come and enjoy dinner, cocktails, art installations, silent auction, raffle, handcrafted party favors, and the music of Amanda McBroom, Alan Thornhill and Laura Walters. Be surprised and amazed by the art hidden in nature as you wander through the preserve and dance under the stars
Stewardship Hike with Brendan Taylor

Take advantage of this opportunity to hike with our Director of Field Programs, Brendan Taylor. The hike will be roughly 5.5 miles long and includes hiking a trail that is in the works to become an official OVLC trail in the near future. On this hike, Brendan will discuss the planning process that goes into making a trail official, along with answering any questions you might have about land management, stewardship, and preserve use. All you need to bring is your curiosity, water, hiking shoes, and sunscreen.
Herpetofauna of the Ojai Valley

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and the Turtle Conservancy are offering a field trip to introduce participants to the reptiles and amphibians of the Valley. Dr. Chris Evelyn, from the Vertebrate Zoology Museum at UC Santa Barbara, will lead this introduction to the frogs, salamanders, lizards, snakes, and turtles of the Valley. This trip is a mix of presentation and field exploration.
Special Use Permit

Want to use an OVLC Preserve for special use like a photography shoot, leading a guided hike, or teaching a class? Apply today for a Special Use Permit