As we reflect on the success of our 10th anniversary of Mountainfilm on Tour and the magic of Under the Open Sky, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible community that made these events come to life. Many thanks are due to our 100 event volunteers, our passionate OVLC staff, generous event sponsors, vendors, food trucks, and all of the wonderful people who gathered to celebrate. Togehter, we created evenings that truly resonated with the spirit of the Ojai Valley. 

On a late summer afternoon in Ojai, my friend Annie and I set out for a hike at Valley View Preserve, excited to enjoy the scenery before sunset. While pointing out new flora I have learned about while working at OVLC, we shared laughs along the trail. Then our hike took an unexpected twist when we encountered a mountain lion just ten feet away.

The decision to rename Fox Canyon Trail to John’s Fox Canyon Trail reflects the profound impact John Broesamle had on OVLC and the Ojai community. His involvement with the organization began in the 1990s, leading to an impactful seven-year tenure on the board from 1997 to 2005, which marked a period of transformation. John reshaped OVLC’s board structure, transitioning it from a larger assembly to a focused, productive team. His pivotal role in shaping OVLC into a business entity, guiding the Ojai Meadows restoration, and his hands-on involvement at Cluff Vista Park and Ventura River Preserve were instrumental to the organization’s success today.