Native Plant Month
This November, OVLC is celebrating Native Plant Month to highlight the vital role native plants play in our local ecosystems and our 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 or 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.
WREATH MAKING
SOLD OUT
Thursday, November 17
4 – 6 PM: Steelhead Preserve
Celebrate the season with OVLC at our first ever native plant wreath making event. Local floral and event designer, Lynn Malone, and OVLC’s very own Native Plant Specialist, Sophie McLean, will lead you through the wreath making process while discussing native plants of the Ojai Valley and sustainable harvesting practices. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the native flora of the area and create a beautiful arrangement just in time for the holidays. Light refreshments will be served and all wreath making materials will be provided. Space is limited.
This event will be outdoors, and the temperature drops significantly at the Steelhead Preserve, so please dress appropriately. We will have warm drinks and a roaring fire!
RESTORATION TOUR
SOLD OUT
Saturday, November 19
9 – 11 AM: Ventura River Preserve
Free
Join us on Saturday, November 19 from 9 — 11 am at the Ventura River Preserve. OVLC’s Restoration Program Director Vivon Crawford and Native Plant Specialist Sophie McLean will lead us on a tour of our largest preserve and highlight the restoration work of the OVLC. This gentle 2 mile walk will take us from the Oso Trailhead through the Oranges to Oaks restoration area and cover the past, present, and future restoration work of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy.
Participants will need to bring a backpack, water, snacks, and sturdy walking shoes.
COMMUNITY RESTORATION DAY
Tuesday, November 22
9 AM – 12 PM: Ojai Meadows Preserve
Free
Bring out the entire family and join the OVLC for a Community Restoration Day. OVLC’s Restoration Team will be out at the Ojai Meadows Preserve from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Tuesday, November 22. We’ll kick things off with a talk about the history of the site, the importance of oak habitat restoration, and how you can get more involved in the preserves and at home to help restore native ecosystems. Then, we’ll roll up our sleeves and get a little dirty as we gather and plant acorns. Families with young children are encouraged to attend.
This event will run from 9 am – 12 pm, but attendance for the full three hours is not required. Please feel free to come and go as you please. Closed-toed shoes are recommended, along with pants, gloves, long sleeve shirts, and sun protection. You should expect to get dirty, so don’t wear nice clothes. Please also bring water and snacks.
NATIVE FLORA HIKE
SOLD OUT
Wednesday, November 30
9 AM – 12 PM: Ventura River Preserve
Help the OVLC celebrate Native Plant Month with a Native Flora Hike led by OVLC’s Sophie McLean. This moderate to strenuous 5-mile hike will take you deep into the Ventura River Preserve as you search out native plants of the Ojai Valley. Hikers will visit several different plant habitats including riparian, chaparral and oak woodland and learn about native plant identification.
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. Her love for plants began while working on a sustainable and biodynamic farm in high school, and she carried that education to Montana State University where she studied Plant Biology. Her education of plants opened up worlds in botany, restoration science, and sustainable food systems. Now back in her homeland, Sophie strives to give back to the land that raised her as well as striving to understand the ecology and botany of the Ojai Valley.
This event involves a moderate to strenuous hike from the Oso Trailhead, up Rice Canyon Trail to El Nido Meadow, and returns along Wills Canyon Trail. Total hike length is roughly 5 miles on varying terrain, including crossing a dry river bed with moderately steep banks. Please bring your own backpack, water, snacks, sun protection, sturdy walking/hiking shoes, and hiking poles if desired.
