News
The Importance of Native Gardens
In a drought-ridden state like California, it’s so important to do everything that we can to preserve water and take care of wildlife. There are many ways to do this, but one you may not think about is growing native plants in your own yard. This video from Wild Yards Project speaks to all the amazing […]
Allan Jacobs Trail Update
The progress continues on building the newest OVLC trail in the Ventura River Preserve. As of October, we’ve had 108 people, both volunteers and staff, working on the Allan Jacobs Trail. So far we have created 791 feet of trail! This averages out to about 1.94 feet of trail built per person per hour. Why […]
All About Ojai: The Bear Essentials
All About Ojai: The Bear Essentials
January 12. 10 am.
OVLC Office
Rare Plant Species Seed Cleaning
Rare Plant Seed Cleaning with the SBBG
December 3. 1–4 pm
OVLC Office
Farewell Marti!
Thank you to everyone that came out to celebrate Marti and her retirement! Photos by Stephen Adams. At the end of December, the OVLC will be bidding a fond farewell and happy retirement to our long-time office manager Marti Reid. Marti joined the OVLC in November 2009, as our part-time bookkeeper, and over time assumed […]
Thank You
Together, We Are The OVLC from Ojai Valley Land Conservancy on Vimeo. Love the OVLC? Donate Today »
New Signs on the Preserves
When the Thomas Fire burned through the preserves, it cooked quite a few of our trail-junction signs and caused damage to some informational kiosks as well. The fiberglass on the trail signs warped, melted, and became a hazard to clean up. We have cleared most of the old, […]
Property Donation Among Largest One-time Gifts to the OVLC
In August 2018, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy received one of its largest gifts ever with a donation of property in the City of Ojai. The property, appraised at $515,000, is an undeveloped one-acre parcel in an Ojai neighborhood that was donated with the intention that it be sold to generate funds to support local […]
Fundraising Campaign with HELIO Solar Lights
Get a great solar light and support the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy! HELIO is an ultra-efficient 100% Solar Flashlight, Lantern, and Powerbank all-in-one. This handy tool is great for camping, hiking, emergencies, charging your gear, and much more. HELIO is a true off-the-grid solution for portable light and power. Makers4Good is a proud sponsor of […]
Fall Guided Bird and Nature Walk
Guided Bird and Native Plant Walk
October 27, 8:30–10:30 am
Ojai Meadows Preserve
Annual Turkey Trot Hosted by the Ojai Valley Inn
Turkey Trot Fun Run
November 23. 8am.
Ojai Valley Inn
Nathan Wickstrum Art Show
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s very own Field Crew Supervisor is having a photography show this Sunday! So many of the photos on our newsletters, website, and social media are Nathan Wickstrum’s beautiful work. Grab a cup of coffee and appreciate this talented local artist! Photos will be for sale at the event. Sunday, September […]
Geology Presentation and Hike
Geology of the Ojai Valley
November 10, 9 am – 1 pm
OVLC Building and Ventura River Preserve
California Naturalist Open House
California Naturalist Open House
Saturday, December 1. 2–3 pm.
OVLC Office
Community Volunteers
The OVLC works to steward the land of the Ojai Valley for the benefit of the community, so when the community shows up to volunteer as stewards themselves, we feel even more inspired in our mission. Since the Thomas Fire, there has been a marked increase in community engagement with the OVLC on the preserves. […]
Recovery and Renewal
Recovery and Renewal
The recovery of our mountains has been a wonder to witness. We present the top ten wildflowers and shrubs/trees post Thomas Fire.
Pints with Purpose
Pints With Purpose at Topa Topa Brewing Co.
All Plants are Not Created Equal
June 11, 7:30–8:30 pm
Free Guided Hike in Wills Canyon
Guided Nature Hike
May 26, 9 am–1 pm
Wills Canyon, Ventura River Preserve
Fire Walk With Us
Fire Walk With Us–A Fire Ecology Workshop with Richard Halsey & Lanny Kaufer
May 5, 9 am – 3 pm
Co-hosted by the OVLC
Mountainfilm Sponsors
We have great benefits this year for our Mountainfilm weekend sponsors. Is your business interested in our sponsorship recognition opportunities? Download our Sponsor Levels packet here or sign up below. Thank you to our sponsors. You help make this event bigger and better every year! Interested in being an event sponsor? Or donating to the […]
Gourmet Picnic Bags
Gourmet Picnic Bags are no longer for sale. Order early next year! Order a gourmet picnic for 2 or 4 to pick it up at the event Saturday night! The picnic will include your choice of: omnivore vegetarian vegan any picnic can be made with gluten-free products We have gathered together local organic farmers, bakers, […]
Spring Native Plant Sale
Spring Native Plant Sale
April 21, 9 am – 12 pm
Ojai Meadows Preserve Native Plant Nursery on Besant Road
Run for the Hills
Run for the Hills – a benefit for the OVLC
April 15, 9 am – 1 pm
5K run organized by the Green School Collective
Free Guided Bird & Nature Walk
Free Guided Bird & Nature Walk
Saturday, March 31 at 8:30 am
Ojai Meadows Preserve
Life after the Thomas Fire
Letter from Executive Director Brian Stark
It’s been a busy two months since the Thomas Fire burned through four of our preserves…
Restoration After the Thomas Fire
The native vegetation that covered the preserves before the Thomas Fire is adapted to fire—meaning many of the plants will grow back. We are already seeing shoots emerge from the base of laurel sumac, yucca, wild cucumber, and soap plant; oak trees that lost their leaves have already begun to leaf out and are now […]
Jill Lashly Promoted to Conservation Director
Jill Lashly Promoted to Conservation Director
Jill Lashly has worked at the OVLC for three years as our Restoration Program Manager—promoting habitat restoration and conservation in the Ojai Valley…
Celebrating a Life
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy lost a dear friend, dedicated volunteer, and conservation champion with the passing of Allan Jacobs on October 8. Allan led a life dedicated to helping others, including an extended tour with the Peace Corps in Bolivia, decades as an estate attorney, and his involvement with the Rotary Club of Ojai […]
Leaving a Legacy
Jerry Gale Jones, esteemed Portland businessman, philanthropist, spiritual seeker and meditation teacher, peacefully passed away on December 29, 2016, at his home in Ojai, California.
Matilija Dam Update
Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project
Presented by Paul Jenkin
March 10 at 10 am – OVLC office
Herb Walk – After the Fire
HERB WALK with Lanny Kaufer
After the Fire: Making Our Landscapes More Resilient
February 17, 10 am – 3pm
California Naturalist Certification
California Naturalist Certification Course: April 13 – May 19, 2018
If you enjoy exploring and learning about our local ecology, engaging in citizen science, and sharing your knowledge with others, this program is for you! The 40 hour course combines a science curriculum with guest lecturers, field trips and project-based learning to explore the unique ecology and natural history of Ventura County.
New Stewardship Director
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is excited to announce the arrival of our new Stewardship Director, Brendan Taylor.
Volunteers clean melted irrigation pipe and plant hundreds of acorns
Last week, with the help of OVLC volunteers and students from the Thacher School, the OVLC cleared 27 acres of melted irrigation pipe and planted hundreds of acorns to replace the thousands of young oak trees that burned in the restoration area along Rice Creek. Katherine Holden, OVLC member and volunteer, was inspired to write […]
Julie Tumamait-Chumash History, Culture and Plant Knowledge
Saturday, January 20, 2018
10:00 AM
OVLC Office
370 W. Baldwin Road Bldg. A4
All About Ojai: Julie Tumamait
The History, Culture and Plant Knowledge of the Chumash People
The Chumash were Ojai’s first inhabitants, living here for thousands of years before European explorers arrived. The livelihood of the Chumash people was based upon their subsistence upon the available natural resources – plants, animals, and fish, and their sustainable ways of utilizing these resources. They found use for almost every type of plant and animal available – for food, clothing, medicine and tools. Their environment inspired their art, their beliefs, their stories, ceremonies and songs.
Jes MaHarry Trunk Show
Jes MaHarry Trunk Show – OVLC benefit
Saturday, December 2, 11 am – 5 pm
Jes MaHarry Flagship Store, Downtown Ojai
California Naturalist Certification
California Naturalist Program Open House
December 9, 2:00-3:00 pm
OVLC Office 370 W. Baldwin Road, Bldg. A4
Charged – The Eduardo Garcia Story
Charged – The Eduardo Garcia Story
Film followed by panel discussion
November 5, 4 – 6:30 pm, Ojai Art Center
Tales on Trails
Tales on Trails presented by the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
November 8, 6:30 – 8 pm
REI Oxnard
Mountainfilm Festival 2018 was the Best Year Yet!
What a weekend! Our Friday event, Under the Open Sky was pure magic. Thank you to the 1,700+ people that came out to our Saturday event, Mountainfilm on Tour and made it such a success!
2017 Mountainfilm Festival was epic!
Wow – what a night! Thank you to the 1,500+ people that came out to our Mountainfilm on Tour event September 23 and made our event such a success!
Fall Native Plant Sale
Native Plant Sale
November 4, 9 am – 12 pm
Ojai Meadows Preserve Native Plant Nursery
San Antonio Creek Update
Since the fall of 2016, the OVLC has been removing arundo from San Antonio Creek along Creek Road. Arundo, which is native to the Indian sub-continent and looks similar to bamboo, has infested watersheds throughout southern California, including the Ventura River Watershed. Arundo crowds out plants that are native to our creeks and consumes a lot of water—see below. It also creates a major fire threat, increases flood risks, and deprives habitat for wildlife.
Conservation in a Changing Climate
Most people agree that climate change is the defining environmental issue of our time. And as a result, OVLC’s mission in the Ojai Valley is more important than ever.
MEMORIAL DAY NATURE HIKE
Memorial Day Nature Hike
Led by Ojai native plant guide Lanny Kaufer
Monday, May 29 9 am – 3 pm
Change in a Land of Extremes
Change in a Land of Extremes
What we know (and don’t know) about California’s climate future
May 20, 20 3 – 5 pm
Adopt-A-Trail
Two of Ojai’s favorite trails and trailheads will now be getting the love they deserve. The OVLC recently adopted the Pratt Trailhead and the Pratt Trail up to the Foothill Trail, and the Gridley Trailhead and the Gridley Trail up to Fuelbreak Road Trail. This is in addition to previously adopted sections of the Foothill […]
Krishnamurti Foundation of America Announces the Opening of the Ojai Saddle Trails in Partnership with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and the Krishnamurti Foundation of America are proud to announce a partnership to provide formal public access on private land adjacent to the Ojai Meadows Preserve through a trail easement.
