FROM THE DIRECTOR / FALL 2024
November marks the start of my fifth year with OVLC. The season’s shortening days and the anniversary leads me to reflect on how things are going. If I had to choose one word that best captures how things are going, that word would be gratitude.
First and foremost, I am grateful for being able to work with such an outstanding, fun, and team-oriented group of folks. My committed colleagues at OVLC all genuinely pull together and consciously look to help each other in executing our mission. This level of esprit de corps is rare in today’s world where too often focusing on grievances seems to rule the day. Having such joyful, committed colleagues is truly special.
Speaking on behalf of my colleagues, we are grateful for the OVLC Board who are similarly oriented and provide the support, guidance, and teamwork to lead the organization. Anyone involved with OVLC knows that current Board President Roger Essick deserves a special note of thanks as a champion of conservation in the Ojai Valley. Roger is terming off his umpteenth year on the Board but will hopefully stay close and continue to provide his valued counsel.
Of course, our greatest thanks go to you, our donors. All of us at OVLC feel a deep collective sense of gratitude for the outstanding level of support we receive from our community. When we interact with colleagues in the land trust community, they are blown away by the level of support that OVLC receives. Your support and trust enables our work, and we intend to continue to earn that support for many years to come!
Much of OVLC’s support stems from our extensive network of trails that provide access to nature. We are extremely grateful for the phenomenal support of our committed volunteers. A couple of years ago, OVLC made an investment in providing more intentional support to the volunteer program. In the past fiscal year alone, this investment has resulted in an amazing 7,100 volunteer hours of help across the organization! Field Program staff Brendan Taylor, Linda Wilkin, and Keith Brooks deserve special mention in cultivating and nurturing the volunteer program’s contributions to stewardship and restoration.
Lastly, I’d like to acknowledge our gratitude for our partners. Land conservation is more important than ever, and community resilience depends on collective efforts. Each of you make this community a better place in your own way. We are fortunate to work alongside agency and nonprofit partners who share our mission. We are all grateful for the vision of California voters who passed a $10 billion Climate Bond this month! Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient Ojai Valley. Thank you!
Tom Maloney, Executive Director