The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) mourns the loss of two visionary conservation champions, John Broesamle and Ellen Hall, who both passed away this year. Their unwavering dedication and passion forever protecting the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley have left a lasting mark on the Ojai community and the environment they loved so dearly. 

This June and July have been the two hottest months in the history of weather observation globally. This winter’s floods also provide evidence of more severe climate extremes. In California, each successive year also seems to bring another massive wildland fire that is the largest in history. Any one drought, heat wave, or flood is “the weather” but successive years of extreme weather indicates a changing climate. 

Invasive plant management is an essential pillar of restoration. Without the removal of noxious weeds, creating space for diverse flora and fauna is impossible...