Small falcons frequent the Ventura River Preserve. Talons on wire, eyes dialed in, fixated on ruffles in bunchgrass.

Betsy Vanleit began her journey with OVLC in 2016, and she has been an invaluable member of our volunteer community ever since. As our first unofficial Volunteer Restoration Adopter, Betsy meticulously maintained oak circles, dedicating over 100 hours to our restoration efforts. Her passion for conservation and tireless work have significantly impacted our organization. This summer, Betsy is elevating her commitment to the organization by officially joining our Board of Directors. In this interview, Preserve Manager Linda Wilkin sits down with Betsy to discuss her experiences and insights from years of volunteering. Join us as we explore her dedication to preserving the beauty of Ojai and continuing the legacy of her father, Art Vander. Betsy’s efforts exemplify the spirit and dedication that drive our mission forward.

Our little valley has been very fortunate to receive above average rainfall this year. If you have visited any of the 27 miles of trails on our preserves lately, you will have noticed that the flora is drinking it up and everything is growing like crazy. That also means that we are now deep into our trail clearance season.