Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) was a year of steady progress and big milestones—many of them years in the making. With your support, we deepened our roots in the Ojai Valley and built momentum for the work ahead.

Matthew Downer is the kind of person who quietly puts in the work, never seeking the spotlight but making a big impact all the same. Born and raised in Ojai, he has deep ties to the land he now helps restore. Long before becoming one of OVLC’s first Volunteer Restoration Crew Leads, Matthew had already logged countless hours in the field, lending his steady hands and humble spirit to projects across the valley. With more than 500 volunteer hours to his name, he brings dedication, local knowledge, and a quiet leadership that inspires everyone around him. OVLC Preserve Manager, Linda Wilkin, recently caught up with him to talk about his roots in Ojai, his path to becoming a Restoration Crew Lead, and why giving back to the land matters so much to him.

We’re excited to share some wonderful news from OVLC! Please join us in welcoming three new members to our Board of Directors—Annie Nyborg, Jim Finch, and Tim Rhone—whose leadership and passion for conservation will help guide our work in the years ahead. We’re also thrilled to welcome Caden Crawford to our Restoration Field Crew, bringing fresh energy and talent to the team working every day to protect and restore the Ojai Valley’s landscapes.