FROM THE DIRECTOR / Summer 2023

This June and July have been the two hottest months in the history of weather observation globally. This winter’s floods also provide evidence of more severe climate extremes. In California, each successive year also seems to bring another massive wildland fire that is the largest in history. Any one drought, heat wave, or flood is “the weather” but successive years of extreme weather indicates a changing climate. 

In places like the Ojai Valley, there is little a land trust can do to affect global climate as predicted in IPCC General Circulation Models. The effects of humanity from the built environment, transportation, energy production, and animal agriculture are far too ubiquitous for a small land trust to tip the scales in any particular direction. However, at the local and regional level there are specific measures that can help ameliorate the effects of climate change. Rather than focusing on reducing carbon production, these strategies tend to look toward mitigating the effects of climate by fostering adaptation and resilience. 

OVLC has adopted a 5-year vision “To lead the Ojai Valley’s response to climate change.” That provocative and ambitious vision immediately elicits questions of what actions that will entail. As a land trust, our first response should look to land acquisition. Using geographic information systems, OVLC has conducted a modeling exercise to expand our acquisition priorities to explicitly include north and northeast facing slopes that are predicted to be the refuge for plants and animals in a hotter, drier California. We have also modeled areas of groundwater recharge and will continue to prioritize stream corridors as top acquisition goals. 

Our restoration program will continue OVLC’s leading role in working to eradicate Arundo from the watershed. Ventura County Fire has emerged as a key partner in this effort due to Arundo’s explosive fire behavior. This year also marks the kickoff of “Rewild Ojai” to promote the restoration of native habitat on private lands throughout the valley. Stay tuned for more on this program in the fall. 

Importantly, OVLC has also been exploring ways to support innovations in the complex situation with Ojai’s water. Between the City of Ventura’s lawsuit and threatened adjudication of the basin, the focus on groundwater sustainability, and the seeming feast or famine nature of our rainfall, there is potentially an emerging role for OVLC in the conservation of water. 

It is important to remember that these initiatives, the preserves, and the trails that have become such an important part of the character of the Ojai Valley are all possible due to the vision and commitment of OVLC’s founders. Two such individuals who served outsized and foundational roles in the early years of OVLC, Ellen Hall and John Broesamle, have recently passed on. For perspective on their enormous contributions OVLC will be honoring their respective legacies in the coming months. 

Tom Maloney
Executive Director