2022 FISCAL YEAR ANNUAL REPORT
Fiscal year 2022 (July 2021-June 2022) proved to be an eventful year for OVLC that can best be summarized as building our resilience at an organizational and community level. Thanks to our generous supporters, OVLC has been able to grow our programs and conservation aspirations for the Ojai Valley. The fading of the Covid pandemic has provided opportunities to start getting together again. We see the few events of last year as being prologue to a much more active schedule moving ahead.
OVLC completed an acquisition this year in partnership with the Trust for Public Land (TPL). TPL needed a partner to own and manage a 28-acre parcel on the Ventura River south of Foster Park. OVLC took ownership and raised a stewardship endowment for what is now the Ventura River Parkway Preserve. This preserve is in need of major restoration of the floodway and removal of invasive plants before it can be opened to the public. TPL has committed to helping OVLC raise the funding to implement these projects and fulfill the vision of a new access point to the Ventura River.
OVLC significantly enhanced our staffing this year as well. We have five new positions and some outstanding hires to replace staff who moved on to other opportunities. Thanks to the generosity of two family foundations, OVLC added the position of Land Protection Specialist. In the spirit of building community, we also added the position of Volunteer and Events Coordinator. Due in part to the tremendous use of OVLC lands, we also added a seasonal part-time position of Stewardship Assistant and our crew of dedicated trail volunteers has never been stronger or more dedicated! Lastly, to launch our Rewild Ojai program, we added the positions of Native Plant Specialist and part-time Nursery Assistant. We could not be happier with our outstanding team!
This increase in internal capacity has been met with an increase in funding from the state. In particular, OVLC received a major grant from Cal Fire to plan for the comprehensive eradication of giant reed (Arundo donax) from the watershed. Also, the two state land protection funding agencies have benefited from California budget surpluses during the pandemic. This positions OVLC favorably for the upcoming land acquisitions we have been working toward…stay tuned!
We are currently closing the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 and we can feel the momentum from the capacity built over the past year. OVLC is well positioned to become a leader of climate resilience in the valley, helping to strengthen and prepare our community for the future. We invite you to learn more and get involved by joining some of our many upcoming events. Together, we can create a brighter future.
The final fiscal year numbers are currently being prepared by the auditors. The final report will be posted at ovlc.org/financials when it is completed.
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
In the field, in the office, at events, and wherever else we need help—our amazing volunteers put in 4,640 hours last year! We are so grateful for every minute you take to help us conserve Ojai. You make it possible for us to do all that we do and we are excited for another year with all of you!
