FAREWELL, ALE! ALESSANDRA LUCCHESI — OVLC NURSERY INTERN

OVLC thanks Alessandra (aka Ale) for her many years of hard work in the nursery. She effervesces a love for her community and the land. There is a certain kind of lifestyle in nursery work, in which the rhythms of one’s life sync to that of nature. It is a lifestyle that requires patience, and a kind of passion that transcends the classic summer internship. Ale embodied this completely. When Ale began working at OVLC, she would ride her bike in the summer heat to the Ojai Meadows Preserve just to get her hands in the soil. She has always shown dedication to the care of plants, coming in to water any day of the week, leading her peers in oak plantings, and methodically studying the Latin names of our native plants (some days it sounded like we were casting Harry Potter spells in the nursery). It has been a wonderful experience to see someone youthful be certain that native plants are worth the hard work, study, and patience. 

Alessandra, thank you for your dedication to native plant propagation and for being a leader to your fellow interns. We are excited to see you flourish and someday pass the torch along to the next generation of botanists. 

Sophie McLean
Native Plant Specialist 

“I was introduced to the Nursery Intern position early in my sophomore year at Nordhoff High School. I remember the first day on the job so clearly; it was the feeling of excitement and eagerness to know the ins and outs of native plant restoration. Two and a half years later, I still step into the nursery with the same feeling, but now, with more experience and the desire to pursue conservation and native plant restoration as a profession. Over the past few years of interning with OVLC, I have gained personal growth through furthering my passion of sustaining ecosystems. I have learned to be efficient in a workspace, and I have formed lifelong friendships all while working to improve the Ojai community through native plant restoration. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy has helped shape me into the person I am today. I am beyond grateful to be involved in OVLC’s mission of bettering our native ecosystems and protecting and restoring land for the community. As I start my college journey at UC Berkeley this fall, I believe my ecological perspective, experience in conserving ecosystems, practical tenacity, and absolute love for sustaining the environment will be vital for all of my future endeavors.” – Alessandra Lucchesi