Kathy’s Commitment
Kathy Bennett loves to look out her window at the mountains that the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) has protected forever. She is “paralyzed by the beauty of it all,” and has included the OVLC in her estate planning because “she wants to make sure that it is there for future generations.”
While Kathy loves the OVLC, you will seldom find her on the trails. Her fear of ticks and snakes keeps her off of the preserves. She tried to volunteer years ago to clean up the Ventura River Preserve, but when the stewardship director said that they needed to look out for ticks and snakes she changed her mind. However, this doesn’t stop her from wanting to make sure that Ojai’s trails and views are available for others. Community is very important to Kathy. She believes that Ojai “thrives on these mountains and hills” and that her community is richer because “the mountains, streams, trees, and sunsets impact how people think and process information.”
When Kathy retired from teaching, she promised herself that she would focus on the quality of her life. To her, that means being active, compassionate, and loving herself. She is politically active, makes time for movies and dinners with friends, assists other women in her women’s group, and takes long walks around town and on the beach.
These days you can spot Kathy walking around town with her poles. She walks about 12-15 miles a day–something that she finds to be meditative. Her motto for walking is to “walk, look, and just be there.” While she acknowledges that this is hard for many people to do in the digital age, this approach brings her joy and health. She is building up to undertaking the very ambitious goal of walking the Camino de Santiago Trail in Spain. If you have met Kathy, then you know that she will accomplish this goal!
“Look at all the property we own. I say we because I am a part of it.”
Kathy believes that protecting Ojai’s open spaces should be a part of every estate. While her yearly contributions are modest so she can enjoy retirement now, she knows that she will be making a large impact in
the future. She proudly says, “Look at all the property we own. I say we because I am a part of it.” She is correct—the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy relies on donations from individuals and businesses alike, to purchase and maintain these lands. Kathy encourages everyone to look out the window
and do their part to ensure the legacy of the Ojai Valley.
A commitment in your estate plan, like Kathy’s, will ensure these lands are protected forever.
Contact Tania Parker to learn more » tania@ovlc.org or (805) 649-6852 x 6
