Join Rewild Ojai and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy to kickoff Native Plant Month with a special screening of The Love Bugs on Saturday, November 1st at the Ojai Playhouse. After the film, a panel of local experts on native insects, plants, and animals will discuss the importance of insects in a native garden.
About the panel
Over 60 years, Charlie and Lois O’Brien traveled to more than 67 countries, quietly amassing the world’s largest private insect collection, and entomological game-changer of 1.25 million specimens. The two renowned, married entomologists now grapple with the advancement of the Parkinson’s disease that afflicts Charlie. But Charlie and Lois know they need to keep fighting for the value of scientific knowledge, so they turn to their insects for a little help. This humorous and poignant documentary explores the Love of Nature and the Nature of Love – and what it means to devote oneself to both. Watch the trailer here!
About the panel
Graham Montgomery - ENTOMOLOGIST
Graham is a postdoctoral researcher at The Institute for Bird Populations studying bumblebee floral resource use and population dynamics. He received a B.S. in Entomology from Cornell University in 2015 and a Ph.D. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from UCLA in 2025, where his research included work on bird-insect resurveys and insect population monitoring, declines, and variability. A broadly-trained ecologist, his other interests include crowd-sourced science data, evidence synthesis, outreach, and teaching field biology.
Sophie McLean - OVLC'S NATIVE PLANT SPECIALIST & NURSERY MANAGER
Sophie was born in Ventura County and was fortunate to spend the early years of her life exploring the Santa Monica Mountains, and Channel Islands. By foot and sail, she grew to learn the raw beauty this land had to offer. Sophie began her love for plants working on a sustainable and biodynamic farm in high school, and carried that education to Montana State University studying Plant Biology. Her education of plants opened up worlds in botany, restoration science, and sustainable food systems, along with interests in the Spanish language and creative writing. Now back in her homeland, she strives to give back to the land that raised her as well as striving to understand the ecology and botany of the Ojai Valley. Outside of work, Sophie can be found hiking, reading, and enjoying the sun. She hopes to become a part of the community by spending her time alongside family, friends, and nature.
About the moderator
Tom Maloney - OVLC'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tom has been working in conservation for 25 years. During his career, Tom worked for numerous conservation organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, and the Tejon Ranch Conservancy. During his six years as the Executive Director of the Tejon Ranch Conservancy, he led the acquisition of over 100,000 acres of working lands conservation easements, wrote, negotiated and received a $15.7 million state grant for land acquisition, led the Accreditation process and raised over $2 million in private support for the conservancy.
Tom received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Boston University and his Masters of Science in Resources Management and Administration from Antioch University New England. When not working, Tom can be found out on the land. He is an ardent birder, hiker, and naturalist as well as an inept surfer.