Life after the Thomas Fire
Letter from Executive Director Brian Stark
It’s been a busy two months since the Thomas Fire burned through four of our preserves…
Restoration After the Thomas Fire
The native vegetation that covered the preserves before the Thomas Fire is adapted to fire—meaning many of the plants will grow back. We are already seeing shoots emerge from the base of laurel sumac, yucca, wild cucumber, and soap plant; oak trees that lost their leaves have already begun to leaf out and are now […]
Jill Lashly Promoted to Conservation Director
Jill Lashly Promoted to Conservation Director
Jill Lashly has worked at the OVLC for three years as our Restoration Program Manager—promoting habitat restoration and conservation in the Ojai Valley…
Celebrating a Life
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy lost a dear friend, dedicated volunteer, and conservation champion with the passing of Allan Jacobs on October 8. Allan led a life dedicated to helping others, including an extended tour with the Peace Corps in Bolivia, decades as an estate attorney, and his involvement with the Rotary Club of Ojai […]
Leaving a Legacy
Jerry Gale Jones, esteemed Portland businessman, philanthropist, spiritual seeker and meditation teacher, peacefully passed away on December 29, 2016, at his home in Ojai, California.
New Stewardship Director
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is excited to announce the arrival of our new Stewardship Director, Brendan Taylor.
Ventura River Preserve Signed
A huge thanks to our 10 volunteers who helped us sign the canyon trails on Ventura River Preserve on Wednesday morning! Split into two groups, we hiked and signed the Orange Grove, West River, Oso Ridge, Fern Grotto, and Wills Canyon trails. When you’re out on the preserve, you’ll see the green and blue […]
Volunteers clean melted irrigation pipe and plant hundreds of acorns
Last week, with the help of OVLC volunteers and students from the Thacher School, the OVLC cleared 27 acres of melted irrigation pipe and planted hundreds of acorns to replace the thousands of young oak trees that burned in the restoration area along Rice Creek. Katherine Holden, OVLC member and volunteer, was inspired to write […]
Life After Loss: Thomas Fire Recovery
Life After Loss: Thomas Fire Recovery By Patt Wilson McDaniel The Channel Islands Chapter (Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties) of the California Native Plant Society has many members and neighbors who have suffered horrendous loss in the Thomas Fire. We are all greatly saddened but are relieved that there was not more loss of life. […]
An idea for renewal
[a haiku]
The Great Burn surrounds.
A feral pause in the scorched.
Stillness in stirred ash.
San Antonio Creek Update
Since the fall of 2016, the OVLC has been removing arundo from San Antonio Creek along Creek Road. Arundo, which is native to the Indian sub-continent and looks similar to bamboo, has infested watersheds throughout southern California, including the Ventura River Watershed. Arundo crowds out plants that are native to our creeks and consumes a lot of water—see below. It also creates a major fire threat, increases flood risks, and deprives habitat for wildlife.
Bird Walk Checklist
We had a fabulous bird walk at the Ojai Meadows Preserve on Saturday, May 13, 2017 with Jesse Grantham. We saw 38 different species of birds!
Conservation in a Changing Climate
Most people agree that climate change is the defining environmental issue of our time. And as a result, OVLC’s mission in the Ojai Valley is more important than ever.
Adopt-A-Trail
Two of Ojai’s favorite trails and trailheads will now be getting the love they deserve. The OVLC recently adopted the Pratt Trailhead and the Pratt Trail up to the Foothill Trail, and the Gridley Trailhead and the Gridley Trail up to Fuelbreak Road Trail. This is in addition to previously adopted sections of the Foothill […]
Krishnamurti Foundation of America Announces the Opening of the Ojai Saddle Trails in Partnership with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and the Krishnamurti Foundation of America are proud to announce a partnership to provide formal public access on private land adjacent to the Ojai Meadows Preserve through a trail easement.
WAO Partner Profile: Erik Wilde
Erik Wilde, Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Property Shoppe, Ojai
Profile by OVLC member, Lisa Aronson
Our volunteers have been busy!
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy volunteers have been busy! Here are a few of the projects they have been working on recently.
Effort underway to reopen Ocean View hiking trail
Work has begun to reopen a historic hiking trail built by Ojai forest rangers more than 100 years ago. The six-mile Ocean View Trail (OVT) offers views of the backcountry, and, as its name implies, far-reaching vistas of the Santa Barbara Channel.
WAO Partner Profile: Ojai Food Taxi
Wild About Ojai partner profile: Jessica and Loretta Altman-Pollack – owners of Ojai Food Taxi. Profile written by OVLC member, Lisa Aronson.
WAO Partner Profile: Char Man
Wild About Ojai partner profile: Chris Sutton – owner of Char Man Brand. Profile written by OVLC member, Lisa Aronson
OVLC Earns National Accreditation!
We are proud to announce that we have earned national accreditation – a mark of distinction in land conservation. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded accreditation, signifying its confidence that the OVLC’s lands will be protected forever.
Trail cameras reveal secret lives of Ojai wildlife
Trail or “game” cameras allow you to take wildlife photos in remote, wild areas or your backyard 24/7 while you are at home relaxing. Learn how trail cameras can help residents, planners, and land managers reduce conflicts with urban wildlife.
California Naturalist Graduates
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is proud to announce the first Ventura County graduating class of the California Naturalist Program! The California Naturalist training is an innovative program developed by the University of California Cooperative Extension to foster a committed corps of volunteer naturalists and citizen scientists trained and ready to take an active role in local natural resource conservation, education, and restoration.
Rotary Club of Ojai Grant
Thank you to the Rotary Club of Ojai for the $500 grant which is funding, in part, a partnership between the OVLC and Ojai TEAMS for their adopted plots at the Ojai Meadows Preserve. Work has begun and the students will care for their plots through the spring. If you see them out working on the meadow, ask them about their […]
Find yourself without getting lost…
The OVLC is proud to accounce our new Trailfinder. Now you can see just where you are on all of your favorite OVLC and US Forest Service trails in Ojai. Check it out on your mobile device: ovlc.org/trailfinder
Monument to the Mighty Oak
Big plans are underway for oak restoration at the Ventura River Preserve. Grant funds will be used to restore 20 acres of the 41 acre project site to coast live oak savanna and woodland habitat. Planting will begin in the fall of 2016, so the oaks and companion shrubs can be nurtured by winter rains.
1 percent adds up: Ojai Land Conservancy rakes in $43,000
Wild About Ojai was featured in a great article by Claudia Boyd-Barrett in the Ventura County Star: March 15th, 2016.
Bioswale Ribbon Cutting
Please join us for the Happy Valley Bioswale ribbon cutting!
Friday, March 4, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.
Ojai Meadows Preserve – 380 South Lomita Ave
1% for Ojai Program Gets New Name and Look
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC)’s popular 1% for Ojai program that funds the care of local, publicly accessible, open spaces is now the “Wild About Ojai” program.
The name change reflects an effort to tie the program more firmly to the “Wild” lands that are cared for with program proceeds while recognizing how “Wild” our community is about the conservation and care for these vital community resources.
Beetle spreads worry among Ventura County farmers
OVLC Stewardship Director Rick Bisaccia was featured in a great article by Claudia Boyd-Barrett in the Ventura County Star on January 15th, 2016. Learn what you can do to prevent the spread of this invasive beetle » Ojai citrus and avocado rancher Roger Essick has a lot to worry about these days. Like other citrus farmers in […]
Help Prevent the Spread of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Beetle
Together, we can help reduce the spread of this invasive borer and protect our native trees and beloved oaks. 1. Please do not to import firewood or mulch from outside the Valley. 2. Mulch (as finely as possible) any downed wood on your property and leave it there. 3. Wrap firewood in clear plastic sheeting and leave […]
Non-Commercial Orchard Removal Aims to Protect Commercial Groves and Reduce Fire Risks
A project to remove several thousand orange trees at the Ventura River Preserve will address community threats caused by the mix of live and dead orange trees in the historic orchard, and make way for the re-establishment of native oak savanna and woodland habitats. Beginning on October 12, the tree removal will be done mechanically […]
A is for Acorn
Believe it or not it’s acorn collecting time again Collecting as many as we can for restoration projects Drought has seriously hampered acorn production in California Exudation is the sticky substance you find on damaged acorns. Leave them be. Find an oak with grass underneath for a soft landing and better chance of survival. Green […]
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Seeks National Accreditation
The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) is pleased to announce it is currently applying for accreditation. A public comment period is now open. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of […]
Why the oak circle?
Why the oak circle? Anyone that has been out to see our oak plantings on the Ojai Meadows Preserve and the Ventura River Preserve may have noticed a familiar planting pattern; that circular zone planted with oaks and shrubs. We call them oak nodes, or oak circles. We’ve had a few questions on the theory […]
Some Like It Hot
Others… not so much. As the summer takes hold and the mercury climbs many of our natives decide to close up shop and hunker down until October’s first rains. Dormancy is an important way to survive the 4-6 months of intense heat and almost total lack of water. This includes dropping some or all of […]
National Trails Day 2015
In celebration of 2015 National Trails Day the OVLC led hikes for the public in each of the preserves. It was a day of beautiful views, exciting wildlife sightings, and all together good times. To get a feel of what National Trails Day was like on the OVLC lead hikes, watch this video of the Ilvento Preserve […]
Desire Under the Oaks
One of the more frequent questions I get in my capacity as local plant nerd is what can I plant underneath my oak trees. Planting under oaks is tricky for a number of reasons. First, they are large and evergreen, thus allowing precious little sunlight to reach the ground anywhere near the trunk. Secondly, oak […]
Bird Walk Checklist
We had a fabulous bird walk at the Ojai Meadows Preserve this past Saturday with Jesse Grantham. Here is the list of the birds we saw, as a few photographs of the highlights thanks to Mike! 35 species total 5 Turkey Vulture 1 Cooper’s Hawk 1 Eurasian Collared-Dove 10 Mourning Dove 1 Greater Roadrunner 3 […]
Kennedy Ridge or Bust
The Kennedy Ridge Trail and OVLC Stewardship Director were featured in a great article by Ray Ford in the Santa Barbara Independent this week: As you ascend the switchbacks leading to the top of Kennedy Ridge the whole Ojai Valley comes into view. The Topatopa Mountain escarpment provides a similar backdrop to what we […]
Last Section of the Fuelbreak Road Trail Protected Forever
Ojai’s front country trails got another “leg up” this month with a donated easement to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) for the final section of OVLC’s Fuelbreak Road Trail. Most of the popular trail had been put into a trail easement in the late 1990’s—connecting the U.S. Forest Service’s Fuelbreak Road and Gridley Trail. […]
OVLC Restoration Volunteer Highlights
The OVLC has been fortunate to have a number of locals volunteering at our preserves. A regular volunteer group at both the Ojai Meadows Preserve and the Ventura River Steelhead Preserve is Once Upon a Watershed. Once Upon a Watershed is an outdoor education program that provides hands-on watershed education, restoration, and stewardship to 4th, […]
Adopt-a-Trail Agreement Signed
With the ink barely dry on a new Adopt-a-Trail agreement for parts of the Foothill Trail, volunteers got busy recently doing needed maintenance. When the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) purchased what is now the Valley View Preserve two years ago it came with the promise of reopening the historic trail. That work was accomplished […]
Improved Hiking Access through Forest Service Partnership
It’s been a good month for improved hiking access with projects put in place in partnership with the US Forest Service (USFS). The Foothill Trail adopt-a-trail agreement and the Pratt Trailhead rehab project have finally launched. Heidi Anderson, the Ojai District’s Wilderness Trails Manager and temporary duty District Ranger Yolanda Saldana worked with OVLC to […]
Cleaning up the Ventura River
Pulling old dolls, smashed bicycles and discarded tires out of the river isn’t what everyone wants to do on their holiday, but for some 50 volunteers on Presidents’ Day, that’s exactly what they did; and the river was better off for it. Ojai people of all ages came together with trashcans and buckets and collected […]
Love Them, Leash Them, and Help Save the Birds
As Ojai’s people welcome the new calendar year, Ojai’s birds are anticipating the upcoming nesting/migration season (February through September). In no other place is this more important than at the Ojai Meadows Preserve. This restored wetland preserve has attracted 187 species of birds, and many of them choose the meadows for nesting or as a […]
Dreaming of a White Ceanothus
Stand anywhere in the Ojai Valley and look up and to your north or west. Well, not anywhere, this won’t work from your guest bathroom, I mean outside. Notice the white patchwork covering our beloved hillsides? Now get thee to thy nearest trailhead and take a deep breath. No, not the horse manure, try a […]
