FROM THE DIRECTOR

As a land trust, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is always looking to save land, and we’re thrilled to announce that we are in the process of saving 234 acres of new conservation land! Land conservation is arguably more important than ever, and to many remains the single most lasting and effective conservation strategy. 

OVLC was created in 1987, at a time when there was a flurry of land trusts created around the country. The conservation of special places (like Ojai) by private organizations was started in the US over 125 years ago in Massachusetts. Private lands conservation was pretty uncommon (think sanctuaries of the National Audubon Society) for generations until the environmental movement took hold. Today, there are thousands of land trusts that run the gamut from tiny all-volunteer outfits (such as OVLC in the early years) to very large and effective international organizations. 

To date, land trusts have conserved roughly 61 million acres of land in the US alone! There has also been an evolution of how land trusts prioritize their work. Like OVLC, many land trusts were founded to provide a better option to the development of land and we have much to be thankful for when we consider the foresight of OVLC’s founders. Today, with the myriad threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, land trusts are targeting lands more strategically to protect the natural capital that supports all of us. 

The 234 acres that OVLC is fundraising to protect are all adjacent to the Ventura River. The 170-acre Birdsong Ranch is on lower Santa Ana Road and shares a border with OVLC’s 69-acre Ventura River Steelhead Preserve and the 140-acre City of Ventura wellfield. The Hollingsworth Casita project adds 20 acres to the Steelhead Preserve. And, while users of the 44-acre Riverview Trailhead should offer the Redemption Church deep gratitude for allowing OVLC’s use for so many years, it is great to know that the land will be conserved forever! Together these three properties enhance the protection and integrity of the river that is so important to the character and ecology of our valley. 

Thank you for considering a gift to support our campaign and help us reach our goal of $4.2M to protect these important lands. 

Tom Maloney, Executive Director