13 No. 3
OPEN SPACES
The latest news from the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Working to Protect The Ojai Valley’s Future - Today
he 1,590 acre Ventura River Preserve possesses superlative ecological and recreational values that made it a preservation priority for the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy as far back as 1991.Cattle grazing and agriculture dominated the preserve prior to the Land Conservancy’s ownership and it was the subject ofmultiple commercial development battles over the last 30 years. The Land Conservancy finally purchased the preserve in 2001 with a $3.1 million grant from the State Coastal
Conservancy and generous donations from individuals,families and various organizations.Found within the boundaries ofthis ecological gem are three miles ofthe Ventura River, that’s 20 percent ofthe entire river,four tributaries including Rice and Wills Creeks and 230 species ofnative plants.Fifteen miles of public trails allow hikers,mountain bikers and equestrians to explore the preserve,enjoy Ojai’s scenic vistas, and catch glimpses ofresident wildlife including black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote and mule deer.
This year the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is embarking on a Restoration Plan for the Ventura River Preserve.The plan is being prepared by Coastal Restoration Consultants of Santa Barbara and is being funded by a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy.It will serve as a guide to the conservation,enhancement and restoration ofecological resources on the preserve.Specifically,the plan will identify areas that represent high conservation priorities such as the
native bunchgrass grassland in El Nido Meadow and will address ecological restoration needs on the preserve.It will also detail the techniques that will be necessary for restoring natural ecosystem processes to degraded areas.
The plan focuses considerable attention on the most disturbed area ofthe preserve,the 58 acre orange grove and the lower portion ofRice Creek. Restoration Consultants Matt James and Dave Hubbard propose removing most ofthe orange trees and restoring native plant communities and Coast live oak woodlands to the area that has been dominated by the grove and invasive,non-native plants for nearly a century.The consultants are also proposing to realign the lower stretch ofRice Creek so that it will once again flow along its historic course through the orange grove.When the orange trees are removed,riparian plants and trees such as willow, mulefat,sycamore and cottonwood will be reintroduced to the stream banks.
The restoration plan will provide the Land Conservancy with the information and guidance necessary to seek funding and obtain permits for several ecological restoration and enhancement projects.The plan will also provide strong biological rationale,project goals,necessary actions and timelines for these multiple high-priority projects.The Ventura River Preser ve Restoration Plan will be available for viewing and downloading from our website www.ovlc.org by Fall 2006.
Flora and Fauna
The Elusive Mountain Lion
One ofthe largest mammals roaming the Land Conservancy’s Ventura River Preserve is one you will probably never encounter.Generally,mountain lions are calm,quiet and elusive. They are most commonly found in areas with plentiful prey and adequate cover.Such conditions exist in mountain subdivisions, urban fringes and open spaces.Consequently,the number of mountain lion/human interactions has increased.This increase is due to a variety ofreasons,more people using hiking and running trails in mountain lion habitat and a greater awareness ofthe presence ofmountain lions.
The mountain lion population in California has grown since the 1920s when they were pursued by bounty hunters.After receiving protected status in the 1990s their numbers are now estimated at between 4,000-6,000.But the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards.There is a far greater risk,for example ofbeing struck by lightning than ofbeing attacked by a mountain lion.
Mountain lions are large,slender cats with muscular limbs and large feet.The hind legs are proportionally the longest ofthe cat family They have coats colored ofgray or brown which is short and coarse in texture.The tail is very long and reaches a third ofthe cat’s total length.Mountain lions live in many different types ofhabitats, from deserts to humid coast range forest,and from sea level to 10,000-foot elevations.They are generally most abundant in areas with plentiful deer and adequate cover.Research indicates that about 80 to 90% ofa lion’s diet is deer.An adult lion kills one deer per week.An adult male’s home range often spans 100 square miles, Females generally use smaller areas - about 20 to 60 square miles.
Mountain lions are solitary,strongly territorial hunters who, unlike most cat species, may be active during the day.They are, however,unpredictable and have been known to attack people.
The predatory behavior ofa mountain lion is very similar to the domestic cat.The lion will attempt to conceal itselffor a surprise attack while stalking its prey.A crouched position is assumed
with the tail twitching and the ears upright.An agitated lion may snarl and lay its ears back.
HOW TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF AN
ENCOUNTER WITH A MOUNTAIN LION:
♦ Avoid hiking alone,especially between dusk and dawn,when lions normally do their hunting.Make plenty ofnoise while you hike so as to reduce the chances ofsurprising a lion.
♦ Always keep children in sight while hiking and within arm’s reach in areas that can conceal a lion.Mountain lions seem to be drawn to children.
♦ Hike with a good walking stick;this can be useful in warding off a lion.
♦ Do not approach a lion,especially ifit is feeding or with its young.Most lions will avoid confrontation.Give them a way to escape.
♦ Stay calm and face the lion. Do not run because this may trigger the lion’s instinct to attack. Try to appear larger by raising your hands.
♦ Pick up small children so they don’t panic and run.This will also make you appear larger.Avoid bending over or crouching.
♦ Ifthe lion acts aggressively,throw rocks,branches,or whatever can be obtained without turning your back or bending over.
♦ Fight back ifattacked.Since a mountain lion usually tries to bite the head or neck,try to remain standing and face the attacking animal. People have successfully fought back with rocks,sticks,or bare hands.
SPECIAL THANKS
Ron & Linda Phillips for designing our beautiful invitations for Moonlight
The volunteer trailhead hosts at the Riverview Trailhead
Harold Glenn for donating a utility trailer for preserve management use Rebecca & Marqui Bury for their help in the office
Don Burkett for the use ofhis chipper on the Ojai Meadows Preserve Don & Sheila Cluff for being our Honorary Chairpersons for Moonlight again this year
Ernie Rischar & Harold Glenn for helping install donor benches and plaques
The volunteers who patrolled the Ojai Meadow Preserve on the 4th ofJuly
Our wonderful volunteers for all oftheir planning and hard work for Moonlight on the Meadow
Rebecca Bury for her assisting us in the office and with our computer research
Steve Wickstrom,Jesse Grantham,Cricket Twitchell,Sheila Anderson & Pat Jump for leading hikes on our preserves
Carol Langford for packaging our new note cards
Oak Grove School for their generous donation from the Earth Day Walk
Ken Niessen for donating a cross-cut shredder
Wally McCall for seeking grant projects that benefit OVLC,the CREW, and Ojai
Matthew Goad for your help on the Confluence streambank project
Ruric Nye ofNye & Nelson & Jason Palmer & Jamie Luna ofProline
Striping for donating the sealing ofthe entry road to the Rice Canyon trailhead
Our members & merchants who have generously donated auction items for Moonlight
Deven May,Irene Isgur,Jack Revoyr for your hard work on the Meadows project
Dennis Kanthack,Pam Lindsey,Sandi Matsumoto & Gail Motyka for your generous time
Paula Power,Ken Niessen,Denise Steurer,& Casey Burns for your continuing help
Saturday Morning in El Nido Meadow
Date and Time: 8/26/06 8am
Location Riverview trailhead
Join Preserve Manager Rich Handley for an exploration ofthe beautiful El Nido Meadow on the Ventura River Preserve.Learn about the flora,fauna, geology and cultural history ofthe preserve.This 6 mile round trip hike is of moderate difficulty and will last 3 hours.
Upcoming Events & News
Saturday Morning in Rice Canyon
Date and Time: 9/23/06 8am
Location Riverview trailhead
Join Preserve Manager Rich Handley for a hike around the entire Rice –Wills Canyon loop trail.This is an opportunity to experience the most interesting terrain on the Ventura River Preserve and a variety ofplant communities including live oak woodland and upland chaparral. This 7 mile hike has some uphill sections,is moderate/strenuous and will last 4 hours.
SAVE THE DATE
Moonlight on the Meadow
September 9,2006 • 5:00 PM | Location: Ojai Meadows
Don’t miss this fun and exciting event! Enjoy delicious food,refreshments,good company,live music,all in the beautiful outdoors—under the big tent.$125 per person.Live and silent auction.All proceeds benefit the OVLC’s open space efforts.
First Grader’s Drawing of the Ojai Meadows Preserve Wins Her a Top Prize
Michelle Mendez is a first grader at Meiners Oaks Elementary School who loves open space.This year Michelle won a $2,000 prize in a Cars 4 Causes contest for her drawing ofthe Ojai Meadows Preserve.Halfofthe prize went to support educational programs at Meiners Oaks Elementary and the other half was designated for a local non-profit organization of Michelle’s choice,which happened to be the Ojai Valley Land Conser vancy. The Conservancy is honored not only for her picture of the Meadows,but also for her generous thoughtfulness. We extend a hear tfelt thank you to Michelle,Ms. Debbie Bradley and her first grade class!
Thursday morning in Wills Canyon
Date and Time: 10/19/06 8am
Location: Riverview trailhead
Join hike leaders Pat Jump and Sheila Anderson for an invigorating walk into Wills Canyon on the Ventura River Preserve.Pat and Sheila are experienced hikers and will share their knowledge of the preserve.Hike is ofmedium difficulty and will last approximately 3 hours.
Bradley.
RSVPby
1, 2006 Call 646-0251 or email us to register online at ovlc.org
New Zealand Mud Snail Serious Threat
The New Zealand mud snail (NZMS) is a se r ious threat to Ventura County’s rivers,lakes,streams,southern Steelhead trout habitat,and as such,OVLC’preserve lands.They are very small as indicated in the photo below where two snails are shown on a dime. For more information on how to help,log on to http://www.protectyourwaters.net/
Michelle Mendez in her class photo above and with her first grade class and teacher, Ms.
Michelle’s winning drawing show n at left.
OJAI VALLEY LAND CONSERVANCY
Post Office Box 1092
Ojai, California 93024
Office Phone • (805) 646-7930
Fax • 646-0253
Events Hotline • (805) 646-0251
Street Address:
250 E. Ojai Ave. #B • Arcade Plaza Website • www.ovlc.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Larry Ragan • President
Barry Betlock • Vice President
Vicki Breen • Treasurer
Allan Jacobs • Secretary
George Berg
Roger Essick
Jesse Grantham
Ellen Hall
Wendy Lockwood
Larry Rose
Barbara Washburn
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Caryn Bosson
John Broesamle
Vickie Byrne
Jim Exon
Thad Hyland
Jim Jackson
Joan Kemper
Marc Larson
Philip Moncharsh
Steve Olsen
Sylvia Overton
Alan Rains
Michael Shapiro
Nina Shelley
Spencer Silver
Carl Thelander
David Trudeau
Pat Weinberger
Allan West
STAFF
Richard Handley • Preserve Manager rich@ovlc.org
Jane Lax
Director ofDevelopment and Membership jane@ovlc.org
Derek Poultney • Project Manager derek@ovlc.org
Pattie Cooke • Administrative Assistant pattie@ovlc.org
President’s Message
t seems unfathomable that we are already more than half way through 2006,but here we are,sweating and seeking shade in Ojai Valley.The staffand board ofdirectors ofthe Land Conservancy are continuing to work together to further the mission ofmanaging a conservancy.Pattie Cooke,our new administrative assistant,has helped to diffuse backlogs and free time for us all to prepare for the upcoming Moonlight on the Meadow celebration and fundraiser. Welcome Pattie.Also new to our stafffamily is Rena Randall,our bookkeeper.Thanks for joining us Rena.
Having now served as board president for one and a halfyears,I feel that I can report to you that our organization shows a strong and firm foundation.Progress in restoring wetlands to the Ojai Meadows preserve is moving swiftly,and most importantly,effectively.Our land committee,chaired by Larry Rose,continues to create strong relationships with land owners.Our fundraising has remained steady and rewarding.I want to thank all ofour staff,board members and volunteers who have worked so hard to enable us to do this important work.
In closing,I hope to see you at the Moonlight festivities.I know we have limited tickets and seating, so ifI don’t see you there,I thank you for your membership and support.Your generosity is being reflected by the beauty around you at each of our preser ves.
FRIENDS OF THE OJAI VALLEY
FRIENDS OF THE OJAI VALLEY I
Make a difference by joining today!
An annual, unrestricted gift or pledge of $1,000 or more will:
• Help provide the resources necessary to respond to once-in-a-life time open space protectionopportunities;
• Receive special tours and updates;and
• Have the satisfaction of knowing your gift will help secure the future ofthe Valley and our community.
STAFF PROFILE
Meet Pattie
Patt ie Reeder-Cooke,our new
Pattie Reeder-Cooke
A dminist r at ive Assistant,joins the Conservancy staff with a background in nonp ro fit a dministration.Pattie was r aise d in Ventura but spent her summers in Ojai with her grandparents who owned Feraud Ranch,now known as Rancho Del Rey.Pattie enjoys camping,gardening and hiking.
Pattie loves Ojai’s community spirit and the abundance ofopen space.She is lo oking forward to serving the Conservancy’s members and volunteers.
Larry Ragan
NEW MEMBERS
Thank you to our new members for their exceptional support. The Conservancy’s success is due to the generous financial and volunteer support of our members. The following persons have joined since April 12 through July 31, 2006.
Garret Boehm
Mike & Michele Briley
Diane Campbell
Anita C. Cramm
Richard Dusckett
Steve & Patti Goldman
Dave Hubbard
Carol Janelle
Bent & Else Lundbye
Keith & Kathleen Manion
George & Peggy Melton
Frederick J. & Margaret Menninger
Joy Mills
Jennifer & Daniel Quigg
William & Lisa Snider
Aryna Swope
Kathy Underwood
Susan Williamson
Ralph & Anne Wuerker Elio Zarmati
FRIENDS OF THE OJAI VALLEY
Thank you to the following members who have provided generous unrestricted membership gifts or pledges of $1000 or more since April 12 - July 31, 2006.
Mary Bergen
Dan & Victoria Breen
Jim & Susan Jackson
Jill Greene Silver and Scott Silver
Scott & Elizabeth Smith
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
Thank you to the following members who have provided generous unrestricted membership gifts or pledges of $2000 or more sinceApril 12 - July 31, 2006.
John & Kathy Broesamle
Eric & Wendy Lockwood
Michael Newkirk & Olivia Garfield
IN MEMORY OF
Claudine Fleming
Larry Rose and Lisa Larramendy
Manny Sprague
Harry and Ann Oppenheimer
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Woodcock
Betty McCurley
Price WaterhousCoopers
ANNUAL FUND
Donald & Ruth Hauser
Stephen Matzkin & Melissa Wolfe
E RENEWALS
very year,hundreds ofour members choose to renew their membership.Thank you for your exceptional support! Your loyalty is greatly appreciated.The following are renewals from April 12 - July 31,2006.
Heidi Anderson
Brook & Everard Ashworth
George Ball & Amanda Mc Broom Ball
Troy & Jeri Becker
Alfredo & Montelle Bello
Tom & Nanette Benbrook
Chris & Karen Birbeck
Jan & Mary Blakslee
Bob & Marqui Bury
Alice Chesley
Ed Henke
Ventura River Rats
Jim & Fran Christiansen
Claire Clark
Rick & Victoria Cline
Sara Cloud
Tom & Dorothy Crossman
Debbie & Steve Curry
Kevin & Stacy Davis
Robert & Greta
Davis
Crooked Creek Ranch
Paul Dentzel
Jon Dieges
Richard Doerner & Patricia Clark Doerner
Rebecca Eaton & Bob Richardson
IN HONOR OF
Harry Oppenheimer’s Birthday
Joann Moses
Lynn Abrahamson
Jill and Marty Gross
Michelle Mendez Cars 4 Causes
Gregory Fowler
Price
WaterhousCoopers
Laurie Edgcomb
Ben Engle & Nancy Cane
Ray & Sylvia Faulstich
Dr. William Fox
Gary & Judith Girod
William Girvitz
Ken & Cheryl Glass
Anthony & Kathan Glassman
Helene Gordon
Jesse & Katharine Grantham
Richard & Sandy Hajas
Nancy & Bill
Hammond
Roland Raymond
Harding & Debi
Otto
Sister Francis Mary Hart
Donald & Ruth Hauser
Dr. Tony & Barbara Hirsch
Rikki Horne & Rudy Petersdorf
Jane C. Hubler
John & Maggie Kaufman
Ray King & Kale Starbird
Bruce & Patricia Kuebler
Eggy LaCerra & Martin Weiner
Jordan & Sandra Laby
Carol Langford
Anne Littler-Brown & David Brown
John & Margaret
Logan
Phil & Maren Long
Mindy & Stephen Maloon
Sandi Matsumoto
Steve Matzkin & Melissa Wolfe
Wally, Mary Jane & Rob McCall
Jerry & Charleen Michaels
Charles W. Millard, III
Robert & Denise Miller
George & Cheryl Moore
Joy Sawyer & Michael Mulligan
Jane C. Murray
V. Noranbrock
Angela & Anthony Ocone
Joyce & Russ Vivian Ojai Stitchworks
Nancy Pepper
Joe Pinkleman & Anne Rutkowski
Judy & David Poultney
David & Mary Trudeau
Sylvia & Shlomo
Ray
Maruja Real
Sallie G. Reynolds
Fred & Ila Rothenberg
Joyce Sattler
CORPORATE MATCHING
Pfizer Foundation on behalf of Richard & Toni Mathews
Patagonia on behalf of Sandy Buechley
Kim Stroud
Lu Setnicka
Verizon Foundation on behalf of
Dawn Engel
Katrina & Robert Schmidt
Valerie & Dietrich
Schmidt
Tim & Lucinda Setnicka
Brenda Stone
Kim Stroud
Simms & Gail Taback
The Symphony Life Church
Mary Toth
Pyramid Studios
Rosie & Barney Tower
Kay & Whit Ulrich
Helene & John Vachet
Nancy Voyer
Stephen & Judy Walker
Marvin Werber & Barbara Thornburg
Christine & Bud White
Bill & Sue Wilmer
Chris Woods
VENTURA RIVER PRESERVE
Robert Light, R.M. Light Co., Inc.
Scott &Elizabeth
Smith
Bruce & Julie
Tumamait-Stenslie
Michael & Suzanne Scar
Kevin & Lisa Clark
Wendy Lockwood
Steve & Alice Southerland
Carol Bishop
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
- Winston Churchill
Thanks to our Sponsors & Interns
Summer Intern Program
The 2006 summer internship program has provided this year’s interns, Billy Williams and Garrick Thomsen, with resource management experience and opportunities to work alongside professionals in the environmental field.
OVLC Thanks Our Generous Business Sponsors
Please visit http://www.ovlg.org/sponsor-list.asp or call Jane Lax at 646-7930 to learn about the many benefits of this program.
VENTURA RIVER LEVEL $5,000
Billy is a graduate of U.C.S.B. and holds degrees in Environmental Science and Sociology. She became interested in the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy after viewing the Conservancy’s web site, which she said was, “amazing because it showcased a non-profit that not only protects open space but heads up restoration projects on their properties.” Billy aspires towards a graduate degree in wildlife management, but first wants to obtain more experience in the areas of resource management, surveying, fieldwork, and restoration. She desires an interdisciplinary background to provide varying perspectives on global environmental impacts and our ever-changing relationship with “wilderness.” The summer’s most interesting activities for Billy were the use of GPS technology to map invasive species on the along the Ventura River, such as Spanish Broom and Arundo donax, and the monitoring of conservation easements on the Confluence and Ventura River preserves.
Garrick is the first generation of his family born in the U.S., his parents having emigrated from England in 1967. He has lived in Oak View since he was six months old. Hiking, kayaking, sailing,
Mid-State Bank
Bart’s Books
Coldwell Banker Property Shoppe
Heritage Financial
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Old Creek Ranch Winery
Venoco,Inc.
Wells Fargo,P.C.S.
Bank ofAmerica
Barnhart Insurance, Long Term Care Specialists
Bit Vision Computing
Casa Barranca
David Bury & Co., Architects
Forbess Consulting Group,Inc.
Grove Care,Inc.
Index Fresh Los Padres Bank
and writing are his favorite hobbies, which makes Ventura County a great place to live. He first attended college at California Lutheran University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. Currently, he is working on an Environmental Science degree at Cal State Channel Islands. His interests in the field include restoration ecology, marine resource management, and conservation biology. He wishes
Behavioral Science Technology
Bostrom & Assoc.
Century 21 Ojai Valley Lulu Bandha’s Ojai Community Bank
Ojai Valley News
The Ranch House Restaurant
Wells Fargo Bank Waite,Jacobs & Atkinson
Meiners Oaks Ace Hardware
The Oaks at Ojai
Ojai Printing
Ojai Valley Insurance Services
William Shanbrom & Associate
Tottenham Court
The Village Florist
Ventura Party Rental Center
very much that there were four or five of him so he might follow separate careers in all of the interesting avenues available in the field. Garrick first learned about the OVLC during a service project for a class at CSUCI. After participating in the volunteer training program, Preserve Manager Rich Handley told him about the internships offered during the summer and the rest is history.
Summe r Inter ns doing trail work
BOjai Meadows Restoration Project Enhances Biodiversity
ack in the early 1900s when the Ojai Meadows Preserve was first cleared for pasture and hay production,it still supported a wetland/freshwater marsh that attracted a wide variety ofbirds and animals including Canadian Geese,mule deer and California black bear.Development in the surrounding watershed during the ensuing years contributed to the near demise ofthe wetlands. In October 2004,the process ofdewatering was reversed when the Ojai Unified School District completed its portion ofthe joint restoration project that directed all storm water runofffrom the NordhoffHigh School campus onto the Preserve.As a result, “just adding water”to the property produced a rapidly developing wetland ecosystem that many wildlife species are (re)discovering on a daily basis.In less than two years,biodiversity is up and the rodent population is down-and this trend should continue as restoration efforts increase.
Red tail hawks,owls,great snowy egrets,blue herons,king snakes and coyotes are all visiting the restoration site and are helping to keep the rodent population in check.Red-winged blackbirds that are dependent upon wetlands for nesting habitat are vastly increasing their numbers,as are over fifty-five other species ofbirds that were spotted on a recent bird walk through the meadow.A common shore bird called the killdeer has taken up residence in the restoration area and several mating pairs successfully fledged offspring this season.
Overall, the work ofreturning the preserve to a naturally functioning ecosystem has restored balance to what had become a haven for weeds and rodents.It is hoped that the restoration project will continue to increase bio-diversity so that the restored ecosystem can become a working example ofwhat is possible with future restoration projects.Although we’re still in the early stages of restoration,the Conservancy encourages the public to visit the Ojai Meadows Preserve to see how the land is changing and will change even more over time.
Please Use Your Leash
ARestoration
recent “Thumps Up”in the Ojai Valley News mistakenly characterized our leash policy for people walking their dogs.We do require that dogs be leashed at all times and ask for your compliance with this policy.Please remember to leash your dog while enjoying OVLC land.It would be a sad day ifsomeone got injured by an unleashed dog while enjoying open space.As most hikers already know there are frequent signs posted as reminders that we cannot have dogs unleashed on the grounds so please help us keep our property safe and incident free.Thanks!
Help is needed to remove vinca and cape ivy from the Confluence Preser ve and various non-native plants from the Ojai Meadows Preserve.
For more information, please contact: derek@ovlc.org or call 805-646-7930.
Killdeer Egg
Skink
California King Snake
Alligator Lizard
California Quail
Photo by Phil Harvey