THE LEGACY WE TEND
Ojai Meadows Preserve is a living example of what sustained community commitment and thoughtful stewardship can accomplish. Since the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy acquired the property in 2000—thanks to the vision and hard work of dedicated local residents—thousands of volunteer hours have gone into restoring this landscape into a thriving ecosystem that supports a rich diversity of native plants, wildlife, and pollinators. But restoration doesn’t end when the planting is done or when grant funding runs out. True ecological recovery takes time, persistence, and ongoing care. That’s where our Stewardship team and dedicated volunteers step in.
In recent years, we’ve seen increased pressure from invasive species across parts of the preserve. These include aggressive non-natives such as black mustard (Brassica nigra), curly dock (Rumex crispus), yellow star-thistle (Centaurea solstitialis), and stork’s bill filaree (Erodium cicutarium). These species outcompete native plants, disrupt habitat structure, and undermine the ecological gains made through earlier restoration efforts.
Recognizing the need for a long-term solution, I teamed up with two of our committed volunteers, Mark Silbernagel and Matthew Downer, to create the Restoration Crew Lead Program. This initiative empowers trained volunteers to lead targeted invasive species removal projects and assist with monitoring plant communities across the preserve. With support from OVLC’s Stewardship staff, these crew leads help implement seasonal best management practices—strategies informed by plant phenology, field observations, and outcomes from past restoration work. Together, we’ve logged thousands of volunteer hours focused on restoring balance to the landscape. Every invasive plant removed helps protect native species and maintain the integrity of this special place.
In addition to countless hours of hand-pulling invasives and removing literal tons of non-native thatch and seed material, we’ve also worked with longtime contractor Brad Haley to manage larger, heavily impacted areas through strategic mowing. When timed correctly—aligned with the life cycles of invasive annuals—this mowing has led to visible improvements across the landscape. Many of the purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra) meadows on the preserve, which Brad originally helped seed, are now thriving. These native grasslands have become denser, more established, and significantly less affected by invasive species. Grassland restoration is especially critical in our region, where native perennial grasses play a key role in supporting wildlife, building soil stability, and preserving ecological balance.
This year, while walking the site together, Brad and I shared what we jokingly called a “Mary Poppins moment”—a rare opportunity to pause and take in sweeping fields of native grass, so vibrant and thick they were nearly impossible to walk through. After years of effort, moments like these remind us why this work matters, even when the road to long-term stewardship feels daunting.
Stewarding Ojai Meadows Preserve is about more than protecting a piece of land. It’s about honoring the efforts of those who came before us and ensuring this habitat thrives for generations to come. Whether you’re a volunteer pulling mustard in the field or a donor helping fund our tools and training, you are part of a larger story—one of restoration, resilience, and community. We’re incredibly grateful for your support. Let’s keep growing this work together.
Linda Wilkin, Preserve Manager