1,591 Acres Protected“We have waited a long time for this day,” exclaims Jim Engel,

Executive Director. On Monday, June 16, the Ojai Valley LandConservancy closed escrow on the two-and-a-half square mile,Ventura River Preserve-Rancho El Nido and with one fell swoopmade open space history. The Conservancy’s protection effort wasthe biggest ever in Ventura County by a land trust and guaranteesthe largest parcel in the Ojai Valley will be available for future gen-erations to enjoy and as a haven for vanishing wildlife, native treesand rare plants. The newest preserve includes three miles of theVentura River, four miles of tributary streams and seven perennialsprings along with more than 300 species of plants and animals.Ninety percent of the property will be owned and managed by theConservancy, while the remaining lands will be protected under aconservation easement owned by a private landowner and moni-tored by the Conservancy. The protection effort was made possi-ble by local donors and a $3.1 million grant from the State CoastalConservancy and Conservation Bond Acts 12 and 40.

Fundraising Continues: 300 Donors and CountingThe Conservancy still needs more than $100,000 to ensure the long-term protection of the Preserve and hopes to raise

those gifts and pledges before the end of 2003. This includes $10,000 for a challenge gift, which must be matched by addi-tional donations. Contributors can use creative, conservative approaches such as requesting matching gifts from theiremployer, making a gift of appreciated assets (stock, mutual funds, real estate), irrevocable estate gifts and pledging theirgifts over two years. Donors who make extraordinary gifts may be able to spread out gifts over a longer period. TheConservancy offers a limited number of naming rights to honor or memorialize family, friends or mentors.

Plenty of Work AheadTrailheads and recreational trails are being constructed on the property to ensure public safety and protection of the native

habitats. At least a portion of the property will be open to public use this Fall. Meanwhile, guided walks and equestrian ridesare being offered by Conservancy staff and volunteers. Janet Hanstad, Preserve Manager, is developing a resource man-agement plan. She will seek to balance public needs with resource protection and the concerns of adjacent landowners.

Seeking Dedicated VolunteersOne of Janet’s primary responsibilities will be to work closely with volunteers to manage the Ventura River Property and

other Ojai Valley Land Conservancy properties. There are many opportunities to get involved. Some of the positions avail-able for volunteering include patrolling the properties,biological and other scientific surveys, leading naturehikes, other educational activities, and participating inpreserve restoration and cleanup.Thirty volunteers havealready offered their assistance to care for the Preserve.

Please see Pages 2, 5, 9 and 10 or visit theConservancy website at www.ovlc.org for moreinformation about volunteering, guided trips, donations,and the new Preserve.

OPEN SPACESThe latest news from the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

Working to Protect The Ojai Valley’s Future - TodayVol. 10 No. 3 Summer 2003

Its Official: Ventura River Preserve

Ventura River Preserve Campaign UpdateCampaign Goal $4 million

Pledges & Gifts Raised - 97% of goal $3.89 million

Pledges & Gifts Still Needed $110,000

Ventura River Pool

Public Access And Enjoymentalley residents may be celebrating the protection of the Ventura River Preserve-Rancho El Nido, however theConservancy who will manage the property, knows that the hard work

has just begun. Much of the effort that needs to be completed before open-ing the Preserve falls onto the shoulders of dedicated volunteers andPreserve Manager, Janet Hanstad. “We have so much to do and yet wewant to open the new Preserve to the public as soon as possible,” com-ments Hanstad. OVLC plans to have a portion of the Preserve open thisFall, while access to the remaining areas depends on the completion ofeasement agreements with private landowners and Casitas MunicipalWater District. Presently, only trained volunteers, OVLC staff and sheriffpatrols are allowed on the property.

The challenges that confront Janet and volunteers are varied.The mostsignificant issue is the establishment of a trail system that guides visitors tothe most scenic areas of the property. These trails must be safe for allusers and protect the Preserve’s natural resources. “It’s a real balancing act,” explains Hanstad. An informal trail networkhas been established by cattle grazing, wildlife and recreation users who have used the property over the years, eventhough previous landowners have usually discouraged public use of the land. Although some of these trails are in goodshape, others are dangerous, confusing or damaging to the environment. The Concerned Resource and EnvironmentalWorkers (C.R.E.W.) will help OVLC establish trails, fuel breaks and restore native habitats on the Preserve. Ultimately, safe-ty is a primary concern. “Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, our insurance premiums have soared and this requires us to beextra diligent,” says Jim Engel, OVLC Executive Director. “Recreation use has inherent risks which visitors must assume,but we are still required to respond to any identified hazards. During the next few months we will be addressing all theseissues to make the Preserve a place that all people can enjoy.”

Welcome Janet!he Conservancy has recently hired Janet Hanstad to manage the Ventura River Preserve and the other Conservancypreserves. Janet was born on the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, but spent most of her childhood in

Modesto, California. She completed her B.S. at the University of Oregon in Biology. For her M.S. thesis at Utah StateUniversity she worked with the USDA Forest Service using prescribed fire to regener-ate quaking aspen communities in Utah. After completing her M.S. in Forest Ecology,she went to University of California at Davis for her PhD to expand her knowledge of for-est health. Her PhD research has focused on the health of Monterey Pine in the Montereyarea. Her dissertation characterizes the genetic and morphological diversity within theMonterey pine population in the Monterey area, providing information needed to establishguidelines for reforestation and the preservation of native Monterey pine populations.Along with her research she has a variety of teaching experience ranging from preschoolto college level classes.

Janet’s expertise in understanding the intricacies of forest ecology and biology,along with extensive experience in ecosystem health and management, combined withher love of teaching and working with people are qualities that she feels are ideal for theposition of Preserve Manager. She strongly believes in preserving our open space, ‘vol-unteer power’ and protecting the ecosystems and communities that surround us. Thischallenge is one that requires everyone’s support. Welcome Janet!

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Ventura River Preserve News

V

T

Good Resource Management: A Balancing Act

Janet HanstadNEW PRESERVE

MANAGER

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Helping To Protect the Ventura River Preserve

VENTURA RIVER PRESERVE DONORS 300 STRONG! Robert & Carole AdamsTucker & Phil AdamsStephen AicheleDolli AlexanderKathryn & David Allen

David Allen & Co.Sheila & Linc AndersonRamona Lee AndrewsAnonymous (4)Brook & Everard AshworthBerkley Suzanne & BakerCatherine & Gary BarnhartJudy & Jim Barrett

Riverview RanchJohn Battel & Holly RichmondLarry Beatty & Sultana ParvantaTroy & Jeri BeckerShed & June BeharThe Belknap FamilyGeorge Berg in memory of

Leo G. & Florence L. BergMary BergenCarol BishopLeri BjornstedtJan BlaksleeSharon BoothCaryn & Charlie BossonDennis BowenZoerita & Clark BowersGail BradburyPeter Brand in memory of

Carla BardNancy BreslinJohn & Kathy BroesamleDavid & Ann Littler BrownRon & Julia BrunsSandy & George BuechleyRobert BurcoDavid & Ronda Burrell

in memory of Dean HofmanBob & Marqui BuryGeorge & BarBara ByrneVickie & David Byrne California State

Coastal ConservancyMyrna & Jim Cambianica

in memory of Valerie FraserDoug & Leanne CampbellPeter, Cindy, Chris & Jeff CantleCindy CarrabineCarole CascioCarol CastanonTerry & Kathy ChaffeeBettina & Otis ChandlerCarolyn ChandlerNorene CharnofskyPeter & Susan CheneyChurch of the Living ChristMartha ChurchyardBetsy & Aaron ClappSarah Clark & Timothy ThomasSheila & Don CluffWilli & Stefanie Coeler

in memory of Bruce WallaceTom & Becky CollinsJames & Dottie CombsAlan & Leslie ConnellDebra CookJenny CothranThe C.R.E.W.James & Evelyn Cunningham

in memory of DazzleB.D. & Liz DautchCrystal DavisStacy & Kevin Davis

Mary Jo DavyEvie & Bain DaymanPaul DentzelRichard & Kristal DeVillersMary, Lanyard & Hannah DialMargaret DiegesCathy DiorioKelvin Dodd & Debbie GomezRichard & Patricia Clark DoernerMike & Barbara DonohuePaul & Patricia DoodyJackie & Alan DorfmanCynthia Duncan & John HallRichard DusckettConnie EatonLinda & Hugo EkbackPatricia EllisonMarjorie EmersonJanis EmhardtAndy & Sharon EngelChris EngelJim & Dawn EngelEnvironmental Defense CenterEquestrian Trails, Inc - Corral 57Mary & David EsselJim & Kim ExonRay & Sylvia FaulstichDr. & Mrs. Fred FauvreLiam Ellwood FealyKathryn & Lloyd FellowsJeff & Theresa FergusonMaudette & Frank FinckFred & Dana FleetAlan & Liz ForbessJames & Dorothy FugleJerry & Dixie Fullerton

in memory of Roger ThompsonDr. David & Cindy GarberCarol Garramone & Charles Massaro

in honor of John Roger & John Morton

Donald E. GarrettSaline Processors, Inc.

Mr. & Mrs. Dean GeiserThe Medicine Shoppe

Robert Jacob GeresCarol GibbonsLee & Betty GibsonGary & Judith GirodWilliam Girvetz

in memory of Bertha GirvetzAnthony & Kathan GlassmanPatsy & Harold GlennPhyllis GlennRichard & Joan GlennMarilyn & Geoff GodfreyRichard GodfreyJohn & Jessica GrahmJurgen & Gerry GramckowFrank & Linda GranatGreat Pacific

Ironworks/PatagoniaJoyce & Roderick GreeneCarl & Marian GreenfieldCharley Griswold & Betsy BlandSusan Gruber

in memory of Bruce WallaceEllen Hall & Richard HandleyBill & Nancy HammondCraig & Karin HarrisWyatt & Claudia HarrisLarry HarroldPat & Larry HartmannJudith HartshornDon & Ruth Hauser

Don & Julie HeathRichard & Velvet HellerEd HenkeMike & Elizabeth HermesHarriet HerrickPriscilla HickmanLinda Higginbotham

& Brad LeftwichPaul & Melanie HirdlerTony & Barbara HirschJerry & Kerry HoldenTrudy HubermanHolly Humphrey

& Jane HumphreyRichard & Nina HuntIntell Management Investment Co.Betty IzantJim & Susan JacksonAllan & Janet Jacobs

in memory of Carla BardDiane Jaffe

Contempo Hair DesignPaul Jenkin & Alisa GreenstateJennifer Jesu-AnterPete & Chris JohnsonKaren JohnsonJerry & Kristayani JonesRobert & Donna JordanPatricia JumpStefa KalninsMs. Mary KazmerDolores KeithJennifer & Niall KellyJoan KemperRandy & Glenda KingRay King & Kale StarbirdJames & June KinneyJoseph & Virginia KitkoMarcia KomaikoBruce & Patricia KueblerTanya & Tim La Prelle

in memory of Dean ScottJonathan & Linda LambertJulian & Susan LangeCarol Langford

in memory of Jack SegottaPeter Lansby - Troll Avionics, Inc.Lacey & David LantzJacqueline Le BourveauDoug LeveeEric & Wendy LockwoodJim & Dottie LoeblMaren & Phil LongTom & Rebecca LoweDavid MagneyTom & Barbara Malley

in memory of Carla BardRuthie Marks & Roger ConradMike & Lisa MarshallGay Martin & Patricia Cluche The Garden Terrace RestaurantWanda Martin

Heritage FinancialLeslie MarvinDavid Mason & Family

The Village Florist in memory of Carla Bard

Matilija Canyon 4H ClubDeven May in memory of

Millie Greenfield & Kevin Schnoebelen

Jeff & Debra McComas Barbara McDevittMarion & Donald McIsaccNila Rae McKinnon

Susan & Robert McMahonJulie & Patrick McPhersonJanice MedartJohn Melville in honor of the

National Disaster Search DogFoundation & Wilma Melville

Lawrence & Elizabeth MemelPaul & Laura MeyerJerry & Char MichaelsBill & Cookie MileyLaurel MillerPaul & Helen MillerRobert & Denise MillerGeraldine & Dean MinerLori & Larry Mohr

in memory of John MelvilleVivienne Moody in honor of

Janet & Ross HanstadStephen & Jenny MorrisseyAnita Hedy MullerMichael & Joy Sawyer MulliganMr. Gerald MurphyBarbara MuskaThe Ken Niessen FamilyKarin & David NilesRobert NoeLinda & Bruce NofreyNye-Powell-Honda GroupPamala Nye

in honor of Ruric & Gwen Nye Ruric & Gwen NyeOak Grove SchoolThe Oaks at OjaiPaxson & Susan OffieldOjai Valley Family Medicine GroupThe Ojai Valley Inn & SpaStephanie O’NealAnn & Harry Oppenheimer

in memory of Robert & Janith Pulver

Jane ParkesWilliam & Laura PeckCarol PedersenGary PembertonCarol Peterson & Curt MossestadJennifer Phelps & Richard NilesRonald & Linda PhillipsJudi & Ronald PolitoLarry, Laura & Walker RaganAlice & Earl RaglandRobert RailAlan & Jan RainsFrank & Maruja RealR.E.A.P.Robert & Alice ReneKay ReniusChuck RichardsCurt RischarErnie & Julie Rischar Joan RobertsJudy RossFred & Ila RothenbergKira Ryder - LuLu Bandha’sLaura Scheerer-Whitney

The Scheerer Family FoundationFrederick SchmidValerie & Dietrich SchmidtAmy Schneider

& Sarah SchneiderJoyce SchofieldDewey V. SchorreMarilyn & Larry ShamesEdward & Jane ShapiroMichael & Ellen ShapiroHeather Shoup

Dr. Daniel SilverScott & Jill SilverSpencer & Linda SilverJay & Wendy SilversteinDave & Edie Skaggs

The Ranch House RestaurantHoward Smith & Edie SimoneSherry SmithLol & Linda SorensenBill SpellmanMannie & Chilant SpragueBruce & Julie Tumamait StenslieRobert & Judith StixHoward & Rita StupPaula & Rick SuddesSteven Svete

Rincon ConsultantsBob TallynTimothy Teague

Timothy Teague PhotographyJohn & Caroline ThacherCarl & Katie ThelanderBeryl & Carl TognazziniNan TolbertThe Traudt FamilyBrian TrautweinPaul & Ollie TurnerTerry & Cricket Twichell

in memory of Carla BardBob & Virginia UnruheArthur & Judith VanderMarcia VaughanBeverly VenableDoug & Liz VernandPatrice VernandTim VierraWaite, Jacobs & Atkinson,

Attorneys at Law in memory of Carla Bard

Roger & Kathryn WachtellLinde WainwrightElizabeth & Patrick WalkerEmery & Helen WalkerRuth WalkerMarilyn WallaceDave Wappler & Gisele JonesGreg Wardle - Coast &

Valley Land Surveying, LLCDeric & Barbara WashburnBarbara WatsonEric & Karen WeihePatricia Weinberger

in memory of Carla BardJane & Richard WeirickRonald & Helayne WhiteJohn & Nancy WhitmanThe Carmel M. &

John G. Whitman FoundationLarry Wilde & Dennis Guernsey

Coldwell Banker Property Shoppe

Huora L. WilliamsKathy & Larry YeeMartha & Tom Zeiher

Gift NamingRights at theVentura River

Preserve

• $500 Bronze HistoricalMarker - 190 reserved

• $1,000 Carla Bard Memorial(30) - 7 reserved

• $10,000 Benches (10) - 7 reserved

• $25,000 Trailheads (3) - 2 reserved

• $50,000 Trails Near Trailheads (2) 2 reserved

• $100,000 River Trails (2)

• $150,000 Rice Canyon Trail

• $200,000 Upper Wills Meadow

• $200,000 Oso Ridge Trail (near Rancho Matilija)

• $250,000 Wills Canyon Trail

• $250,000 Oso Ridge (High point of property)

• $300,000 Unnamed canyon

• $1.5 M Preserve Name

The OVLC is offering alimited number of gift nam-ing rights for donors whowish to honor or memorializefamily, friends, or mentors.All gifts can be made over atwo-year period and will beused for the preservation andcare of Ojai’s last remainingopen spaces.

For a confidentialdiscussion and a

naming rights map,please call

646-7930 orovlc@ojai.net andask for Jim Engel,Executive Director

ow the hard work really begins! With escrowclosed on the Ventura River Preserve-Rancho ElNido property, the OVLC’s staff, board and volun-

teers are working hard to develop a resource manage-ment plan that will both protect the property and open itup to hikers, equestrians and bicylists as soon aspossible.

Providing access to Rancho El Nido is a delicatebalancing act that will require careful study then patient implementation.You might say it’s like getting a complex birthday gift that needs ‘someassembly.’ While you want to use the gift right away you know it’s betterto read and follow the instructions before going off willy-nilly.

As our Executive Director Jim Engel and our Preserve Manager JanetHanstead oversee the development of a resource management planbased on the long-term best interests of the property, we ask yourpatience as the property remains closed to the public for the next severalmonths. When the property does open later this year, I’ll look for you onsome of the most beautiful trails in all of Ojai.

If the Rancho El Nido project wasn’t enough work, this summer we’realso undertaking the restoration of our Ojai Meadows Preserve. This proj-ect is part of a larger effort to control flooding on and around NordhoffHigh School. For years the school has been plagued by soggy playingfields. After winter storms the stadium track gets so wet that track meetshave been postponed or cancelled. In addition, Highway 33 floods andbecomes impassable.

The problem can be traced to the fact that Nordhoff and the OjaiMeadows Preserve were originally one contiguous property. During heavyrains the storm runoff from the campus side of the property flowed natu-rally to the meadows, creating a rare and beautiful seasonal wetland. Butthe construction of the high school campus cut off the storm flows, robbedthe meadow of needed moisture, and worsened the flooding at Nordhoff.

All this is set to change thanks to a $2.15 million dollar grant from theCalifornia State Department of Water Resources to the Ojai UnifiedSchool District and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. The OUSD will useits share of the grant money to build a storm drainage system on theNordhoff campus. The OVLC will use its portion of the grant to restore thewetlands on the Ojai Meadows Preserve in such a way as to accept runoffwater from the school and mitigate flooding on the highway. This is anexciting project, one we believe will benefit the entire Ojai Valley.

So, this is anything but a time to rest and sip lemonade. Our staff offour and our many volunteers will be working hard to keep our preserva-tion, recreation and restoration efforts on schedule. And hey, we canalways use another good volunteer, so give the office a call if you havesome free time on your hands this summer.

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Post Office Box 1092Ojai, California 93024

Office Phone • (805) 646-7930Fax • 646-0253

Events Hotline • (805) 646-0251E-mail Address • ovlc@ojai.net

Street Address:250 E. Ojai Ave. #B • Arcade Plaza

Website • www.ovlc.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jim Jackson • PresidentCarl Thelander/Spencer Silver

Vice PresidentsVickie Byrne • TreasurerAllan Jacobs • Secretary

John BroesamleJim ExonEllen HallMarc LarsonMerrill WilliamsDavid Trudeau

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Julie BloomerCaryn BossonDavid BuryFred ByssheStacy DavisRoger EssickThad HylandRichard HandleyJoan KemperPhilip MoncharshVivienne MoodySteve OlsenAlan RainsMichael ShapiroNina ShelleyMansfield SpraguePat WeinbergerAllan West

STAFF

Ronda Burrell • Membership Servicesovlcmembership@ojai.net

Carole Cascio • Events and Volunteersovlcevents@ojai.net

Jim Engel • Fundraising and Land Protectionovlc@ojai.net

Janet Hanstad • Land Protection and Management, ovlcpreserve@ojai.net

OJAI VALLEY

LAND CONSERVANCYPresident’s Message

Jim Jackson

N

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Conservancy EventsExplore the VenturaRiver PreserveSaturday, August 2Time: 5pmHike the Ventura River Preserve withpreserve manager Janet Hanstad. Thisis a rare opportunity since this propertyis not yet open to the general public.Space is limited to the first thirtypeople.

Seed Collection for Wetland Restoration August 17th • September 7th

September 21st

Time: 10 am - 2 pmGet involved and make a difference!Learn the fine art of seed collection onthe Ventura River Preserve with theCalifornia Native Plant Society.Volunteers will meet at the corner ofRice and El Roblar at 10 a.m. Bringplenty of water and a lunch. Hikingboots and long pants are recommend-ed. No experience necessary.

Explore the Ventura River PreserveSaturday, August 23 Time: 5pmHike the Ventura River Preserve withpreserve manager Janet Hanstad. Thisis a rare opportunity since this propertyis not yet open to the general public.Space is limited to the first thirty people.

Moonlight On The MeadowSaturday, September 13Time: 5pmSee description below.

Starting this September,Explore the Ventura RiverPreserve Every SaturdayHike the Ventura River Preserve with ourpreserve manager, Janet Hanstad orone of our preserve educators: CrystalDavis, Rich Handley, or Cricket Twichell.Starting September, a guided hike willleave from the corner of Rice and ElRoblar at 9 am every Saturday. Thesehikes will average 3-6 miles. Bring plentyof water and a snack. Hiking boots andlong pants are recommended.

Join us, under the big white tent on the Ojai Meadows Preserve for an evening of great southwestern food, friends,margaritas and music. The event will be located in the magical meadow at sunset and held under a big autumn moon.Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy a specially prepared meal, refreshing drinks and delicious desserts. Our silentauction will be filled with new and unique items and followed by the charming and dynamic Jewels Eubanks, the auction-eer for our exciting and fun-filled Live Auction. Whether this will be your first Moonlight event or you’re a veteran, there issomething for everyone to enjoy. Always a new twist and a great way to support our open space efforts!

Tickets are $65 per person and $500 for a table of ten.

All programs require pre-registration.CALL 646-0251or email us at

ovlcmembership@ojai.net

Moonlight on the Meadow Silent Auction.

Sam Schuchat and Peter Brand of The State Coastal Conservancy

hike and bird watch in Wills Canyon.

Save the Date for Moonlight On The Meadow,The best fundraising event in Ojai • Saturday, September 13th at 5pm

THANK YOU TO THE ‘EARLY BIRD’ EVENT SPONSORS

Ojai Valley Inn • Oaks at Ojai

CENTURY 21-Ojai Valley • Edible Ojai

Waite, Jacobs & Atkinson • BioResource Consultants

Ventura Rental Center • Kava Gifts • Heritage Financial

Nye & Nelson, Inc. • Ojai Brew Pub • Ojai Business Center, Inc.

David Bury & Co. • Andrew Stasse Co.

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very year, hundreds of our memberschoose to renew their membership.Thanksfor your exceptional support!

Membership

New Members hank you to our new members for their exceptional support. The Conservancy’ssuccess in the last year is due to the generous financial and volunteer support ofour members.

T ERenewals

Stephen AicheleRamona Lee AndrewsAnonymous (1)Brook & Everard AshworthBerkley & Suzanne BakerDavid BealesTroy & Jeri BeckerGail BradburyNancy BreslinRon & Julia BrunsGeorge & Barbara ByrneCindy CarrabineCarolyn ChandlerOtis & Bettina ChandlerNorene CharnofskyDottie & James CombsAlan & Leslie ConnellDebra CookJenny CothranJames & Evelyn CunninghamCathy DiorioKelvin Dodd & Debbie GomezMike & Barbara DonohuePaul & Patricia DoodyRichard DusckettDavid & Caroline EbersJanis EmhardtChris EngelMary & David EsselDr. & Mrs. Fred FauvreMike & Terry FealyJames & Dorothy FugleJerry & Dixie FullertonCarol GibbonsLee & Betty GibsonPhyllis GlennMarilyn & Geoff GodfreyWilliam GirvetzCraig & Karin Harris

Larry HarroldJudith HartshornEd HenkePaul & Melanie HirdlerMatt & Christine HillRichard & Nina HuntPaul Jenkin & Alisa GreenstateJennifer Jesu-AnterKaren JohnsonRobert & Donna JordanStefa KalninsMs. Mary KazmerJennifer & Niall KellyJim & June KinneyJoseph & Virginia KitkoMarcia KomaikoJulian & Susan LangePeter Lansby - Troll Avionics, Inc.Tim & Tanya LaPrelleDoug Levee

Residential Design & ConstructionMike & Lisa MarshallRoger McDivittNila Rae McKinnonJulie & Patrick McPhersonJanice MedartLawrence & Elizabeth MemelStephen & Jenny MorrisseyRodney & Traci MullenAnita Hedy MullerKarin & David NilesRobert NoePaxson & Susan OffieldJane ParksGary PembertonJennifer Phelps & Richard NilesKay ReniusChuck RichardsCurt Rischer

Lisa RobertsonSuzanne Cyrilla RollJudy RossKira Ryder - LuLu Bandha’sLaura Scheerer-Whitney

The Scheerer Family FoundationHeather ShoupDr. Daniel SilverJay & Wendy SilversteinLaurie & John SladeSherry SmithLol & Linda SorensenBill SpellmanHoward & Rita StupSteven Svete - Rincon ConsultantsBeryl & Carl TognazziniMarcia VaughanBeverly VenablePatrice VernandLinde WainwrightDave Wappler & Gisele JonesEric & Karen WeiheMartha & Tom Zeiher

Mike & Marjorie AmbarianAnonymous (3)Michael & Randi BennettBarry Betlock & Chris BjornstedtTom BostromAlex & Kris BrodieSue BroidyPeter & Carla BrooksTeena & Dar BroumandStan & Eleanor BrownSandy & George BuechleyTeresa & Chano CamarilloBert CollinsBarbara & Darrel CrowderPeter & Linda D’AprixKevin & Stacy DavisRobert & Greta Davis, Jr.

Crooked Creek RanchPeter & Heidi DiCapuaMary & Rene DietsBen Engle & Nancy CaneGeorge FarmerDonn Gladstone & Kelly NewmanFrank & Linda GranatKatharine & Jesse GranthamStan & Barbara GreeneBarbara & Peter HaggertyMark HalvorsenMr. & Mrs. Leo HammerschmittRuth Hemming & Joan RaymondPriscilla HickmanRikki Horne & Rudy PetersdorfCal & Dot HoustonJim & Susan JacksonDr. Michael Jauregui

& Susan OlsonChris & Pete JohnsonJerry & Anne KaplanJohn & Maggie Kaufman

Mike & Nancy KrumpschmidtJordan & Sandra LabyPhil & Maren LongMindy & Stephen MaloonGeorge & Cheryl MooreDarrell Nelson

Fruit Growers Laboratory, Inc.Niels & Robin NyborgMarty & Barbara PopsRobert RailSylvia & Shlomo RazNancy & Marty SchechtmanDavid SelbyDan & Olga SingerSuzanne’s CuisineSusan Speer & Gene MillerJane SpillerAl Stroberg & Betsy PattersonNan TolbertGlenn & Kathleen McCann TrueMrs. Barbara UnikerDr. Eve VenturiCarol Wade & Bill HakDana WhiteCatherine WilcoxBill & Sue WilmerBlake & Susanne WilsonEric & Cathy ZacherBrian & Chris Zeiner

Name on Card Credit Card #

Exp.Date Amount $

MEMBERSHIP NAME(S)

MAILING ADDRESS

DAYTIME PHONE HOME PHONE E-MAIL ADDRESS

✄

Yes! I’ll help preserve open space in the Ojai Valley • Enclosed is my annual tax-deductible pledge/gift of:

❏ $25-$49 Member

❏ $50-$99 Sustaining Member

❏ $100-$249 Donor

❏ $250-$499 Sustaining Donor

❏ $500-$999 Patron

❏ $1,000+ Steward

Please make check payable to: The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. P.O. Box 1092 • Ojai, CA 93024 or contribute through your Credit Card

New Member Form✄

Jim & Dawn EngelAngela & Anthony OconeRAINS Department StoreHarry & Margery Sims

in memory of Carl Huntsinger

AnnualFund Gifts

Gift Memberships Given By Wendy Lockwood

David & Caroline EbersMatt & Christine HillRodney & Traci MullenPaxson & Susan OffieldLisa Robertson

Corporate Matching Gift ProgramPatagonia Great Pacific Ironworks

on behalf of Sandy Buechley, Stacy Davis & Tom Lowe

3M Foundation on behalf of Spencer Silver

Verizon on behalf of Dawn and Jim Engel

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Petroglyph TourKathy Broesamle, on behalf of the Conservancy and the Environmental Learning Series sponsored two trips to study

Native American petroglyphs during April.. The destination was Little Petroglyph Canyon, on the grounds of the China LakeNaval Weapons Station, near Ridgecrest, CA. The canyon is the location of one of the largest collection of Native AmericanRock Art and are only accessible by special permission of the U.S. government. Visitors were awestruck by the sheer num-ber of petroglyphs etched into the canyon rocks by ancient Native Americans. No one knows what the purpose of the pet-roglyphs were - Storytelling? Religious rites? Hunting symbols? Everyone agreed it was a unique and thrilling experience.Additional trips will be organized by the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, if there is further community interest. Please callKathy Broesamle at 646-5948 if you would like to receive information about future trips.

Conservancy Mourns Loss of Two Former Board MembersThe Conservancy and the Ojai Valley lost two great open space advocates in June with the passing of Carl Huntsinger

and Nancy Myers. Both were former Conservancy board members, generous donors and local agricultural growers. TheConservancy will miss their wisdom and spirit.

Ventura River Preserve NewsCommunity Pulls Together For Ventura River

The Conservancy was the lucky benefactor of two equestrian focused fundraisers that raised more than $10,000 for theprotection of the Ventura River Preserve. On May 10, the buckaroos who saddled up for the Equestrian Trail, Inc. affair hadone terrific time. The dedicated volunteers from ETI spent countless hourspreparing for the event and silent auction. Trail rides on the Preserve and awestern barbecue on the adjacent Church of the Living Christ property werethe ‘order of the day’. Over 100 people ‘ponied- up’ to ride out and see thebeauty of the Conservancy’s newest purchase. “We are very grateful to allthose that showed up and especially the ETI volunteers who gave of theirtime to making this event such a success,” says Carole Cascio,Conservancy Event and Volunteer Coordinator.

Then on Saturday, May 17, Vickie and David Byrne graciously hosteda wonderful “not your ordinary barbecue” fundraiser at their home. It wasa lovely evening set in their garden, with delicious food, drink and livemusic. A small silent auction of select equestrian goodies rounded out theevening. Vickie is a Conservancy board member and equestrian trail riderand the Byrnes have been long time Conservancy supporters.

Besides raising funds for the Ventura River Preserve, equestrians from around the Ojai Valley are being trained as vol-unteers to patrol and care for the new Preserve. “We’ve seen a real surge in interest from the equestrian community, sincewe announced our plans to protect this property,” says Cascio.

Managing For Future GenerationsOVLC is also preparing a comprehensive resource management plan for the property. The plan, which is funded by

the State Coastal Conservancy, will identify recreational opportunities, critical natural and cultural resource protectionareas and long-term planning objectives for the Preserve. The report will tackle tough issues such as: What should hap-pen to the old orange grove?; Is grazing and prescribed fire a good management tool?; Are there sensitive habitat areasthat should be off limits to the public?; What are the best ways to minimize conflicts with different recreation users?; And,Which areas should be restored first? During the coming year, Conservancy staff and board members will work with vol-unteers, neighboring landowners and government agencies to complete the plan.

Good NeighborsConservancy board, staff and volunteers are working with neighboring property owners to identify their concerns and mini-

mize impacts from the potential new preserve. “We rarely get a complaint from a landowner about Preserve visitors trespassingonto adjacent private lands,” says Jim Engel. “We want to keep it safe and enjoyable for everyone.” OVLC has had plenty of expe-rience implementing preventative measures to head off potential problems at other Preserves. “We listen to the landowner andonce they understand that we sincerely want to work together, most of them become our biggest supporters,” adds Engel.

Conservancy News Briefs

Young Riders at the Equestrian Fundraiser.

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Black Bearslack bears come in many colors, but in Ojai they all from the same species, Ursus Americanus. These generallyshy creatures can be found at many of our Preserves. The Ventura River Preserve is an area that is especially

well suited for black bears with plenty of water, cover, shelter and a variety of food sources. Berries, grass, acorns,and insects are the main diet for these animals. Locally, large males can weigh 650-700 lbs. and reach six feet inlength. These males will range 15 miles and only tolerate females within their territory. In recent years, young maleslooking for a territory to inhabit, have been seen in Meiners Oaks only two blocks from the Ojai Meadows Preserve.

Grizzly Bears were the native bear of Ojai, but once theywere hunted to extinction during the late 1800s, the blackbear began to inhabit the Grizzly’s former territory throughoutCalifornia. Today, close to 30,000 Black bears exist fromNorthern California to San Diego County. In Ventura County,bears inhabit all areas around the Ojai Valley, including thelower Ventura River, a mere five miles from the ocean.

Visitors to the Ventura River Property have experiencedseveral bear sightings and have found evidence of beartracks and scat. “It is quite a thrill to see a bear,” says JimEngel, Conservancy Executive Director. “Even the sign offresh tracks at the edge of a stream gets my adrenalin pump-ing.” Although generally harmless, encounters with bears should be handled with caution. Make as much noise aspossible and slowly move away from the bear. These awkward looking mammals can reach speeds of 30 mph andcan easily climb trees, so running is not an option. Extra caution should be used if there are cubs, food or an injuredbear in the area and remember what John Muir said, “in my first encounter with a black bear, we were both surprised,but he was the better behaved of the two of us.”

Nature Notes

B

Young Black Bear.

Special ThanksBank of America for a $1,500 grant.

Tom Bostrom, Hope Frazier, Doug LaBarre andSpencer Silver for making the plaques at CluffVista Park a reality.

Kathy Broesamle for organizing the petroglyphtours near Ridgecrest.

Marqui and Bob Bury for providing dinner andrefreshments for the Fourth of July volunteers.

Vickie and David Byrne for hosting a successfulequestrian fundraiser at their home.

Otis and Bettina Chandler for donating an orig-inal 1928 photo of the Ventura River Preserve.

Vic Contreras of Grove Care and Jurgen andMartin Gramckow for helping with a smoothtransition for the orange grove on the VenturaRiver Preserve.

Crystal Davis for leading guided hikes on theVRP.

ETI, Corral #57 for organizing a very successfulequestrian fundraiser and trailride.

Jim and Kim Exon for donating a ChevySUV 4x4.

Ray and Sylvia Faulstich for helping withfundraising in Rancho Matilija.

Fourth of July Volunteers for safeguarding thePreserve.

Ojai Valley News for running our cookbookrecipes.

Patsy and Harold Glenn and Marqui Bury fortheir help at the “Meet the Preserve ManagerEvent.”

Julie and Don Heath for hosting a RanchoMatilija fundraiser at their home.

Lanny Kaufer for leading a native herb walkfundraiser on the Ventura River Preserve.

Jerry Dean Miner for donating notary publicservices for the close the Ventura RiverPreserve escrow.

New Ventura River Preserve Volunteers for theirleadership and enthusiasm.

Oak Grove School for sponsoring the Earth DayWalk and donating $2,000 for the Ventura RiverPreserve.

Larry and Laura Ragan for helping with theRancho Matilija fundraiser.

Suzanne Roll, Kelsey Tribble, and Rob McCallfor helping out at the office.

Save Ellwood Mesa and Ventura HillsideConservancy Members who donated generous-ly to the Ventura River Preserve Campaign.

Dewey Val Schorre for donating a new power-point projector.

Carl Thelander and David Trudeau for allowingus to use their vehicles for tours of the VenturaRiver Preserve.

Dave Trudeau and Michael Wilton for helpmowing the Ojai Meadows Preserve.

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The Ventura River and Other PreservesVolunteers are needed for a wide range of jobs. Join our Preserve Manager, Janet Hanstad, and other volun-teers on the Ventura River Preserve. We’d love your help a few hours each week or even once a month will do.

Preserve Host - As Preserve Host, you patrol the property, pick up litter, and notify us or the sheriff’s depart-ment of any problems. This is a fun way to explore the property, get some exercise on horseback, foot or bicy-cle, and help open space!

Preserve Restorationist - One of the goals of the Conservancyis to maintain the health and integrity of our preserves. This can onlybe done with your help! As a Preserve Restorationist, you keep theproperty clean by removing litter, graffiti, and non-native plantspecies (weeds). You can also help plant native plants on the prop-erty. If you are a gardener at heart, you would be an excellentPreserve Restorationist!

Preserve Educator - This is the perfect opportunity to share yourlove and knowledge of nature with others. You can lead hikes ornature walks at our Preserves. Other educational activities willoccur, such as bringing classes onto the property. As a PreserveEducator, you can be involved in teaching and guiding othersthrough various educational activities.

Trail and Property Maintenance Assistant - Help keep our trails in good shape for the public’s enjoymentand safety. As a Trail Maintenance and Property Assistant, you participate in a variety of tasks including trailclearing, weed whacking, removing downed shrubs and trees, and repair work after storms.

Natural Resource Assistants - One of the goals of the Conservancy is to improve the health of ourPreserves. As a Natural Resource Assistant, you’ll help track ecosystem health by monitoring a variety ofcomponents, including flora, fauna, and other natural and man made features. This is a fun way to explore theproperty and learn about the ecology of the area while preserving open space! If you are interested in plantidentification, bird watching, using GPS/GIS, photography, water monitoring, etc. you would make an excellentNatural Resource Assistant.

Mower - If you own a tractor mower and want to spend some time riding around the property, helping keep thePreserve trails open and safe.

Event Assistant - During the year The Conservancysponsors several fundraising and educational events. Asan Event Assistant, you can submit press releases and“Down the Road” information, create and post flyers, andassist with events.

Sign Maintenance Assistant - Signs are important foreveryone’s safety and enjoyment. As a Sign MaintenanceAssistant, you help post, replace, and repair signs through-out the property.

Preserve Volunteer Opportunities

We are looking for volunteers on all

of our preserves, so if you would

like to help, please call Janet at

646-7930 or email her at

ovlcpreserve@ojai.net.

Non-Profit Org.U.S.POSTAGE

PAIDPermit No.351

Ojai, CA

Ojai Valley Land ConservancyP.O. Box 1092Ojai, CA 93024

RETURNSERVICEREQUESTED

printed on recycled paper

Wish List

◆ Four Wheel Drive Truck or SUV needed for management of the Preserve. DONATED!

◆ Power Point Projector for public education presentations.DONATED!

◆ Global Positioning System Units to help us in gathering data for resource management

◆ Trail Maintenance Tools (shovels, loppers, McLeods, and Pulaskis, etc.). Call us for a full list.

◆ Two Drawer Lateral File Cabinet.

The Conservancy is seeking new and used items for managing our Preserves. Please consider donating any of the following:

Make Your Reservation Now:Moonlight on the Meadow • September 13th