OPEN SPACES N ewsletter /A nnual R eport Winter 2020 vol 27 num 1
OPEN SPACES The newsletter of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy BOARD OF DIRECTORS Roger Essick, President Stefanie Coeler, Vice President Martha Groszewski, Treasurer Bret Bradigan, Secretary Phil Bradley Sandy Buechley Wyatt Harris Phil Moncharsh Tonya Peralta Don Reed Meredy Benson Rice
STAFF Tom Maloney, Executive Director Tania Parker, Deputy Director Jill Lashly, Conservation Director Brendan Taylor, Stewardship Director Dan Pizano, Operations Director Xena Grossman, Development Associate Emmie Pinedo, Development Assistant Nathan Wickstrum, Stewardship Manager Caitlyn Barrera, Restoration Crew Supervisor & Conservation Assistant Destinee Rabelo, Restoration Specialist Mayra Diaz, Restoration Specialist Ron Singer, Nursery Manager
Mission: The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is a community-based nonprofit organization working with partners to permanently protect the open space, natural scenic beauty, wildlife, habitat, and watershed of the Ojai Valley for current and future generations. STAY CONNECTED WITH THE OVLC: OVLC.ORG / FIND US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
Cover Photo by Nathan Wickstrum Page 2
Welcome to the Team! Dan Pizano Dan moved to Southern California after living overseas to pursue an aviation career in international disaster relief. His academic and career experience are in technology, aviation, and astrophysics. Prior to moving abroad, Dan worked at multiple Silicon Valley start-ups in software development, communication networks and business intelligence. He balances his technical work with a passion for the outdoors and trail running. As an ultra trail runner, he combines his running and technical skills to reach remote areas to collect information about trail networks, infrastructure, and status on OVLC Preserves. Dan is dedicated to OVLC’s mission and is excited about evolving OVLC’s operations. Dan can often be found running on the trails and ridgelines in the Los Padres National Forest from Ojai to Solvang or the Santa Monica Mountains from Point Mugu to Santa Monica.
Mayra Diaz Born and raised in Ventura County, Mayra went to community college at Ventura College, and then transferred to Cal Poly Pomona where she obtained her B.S. in Biological Sciences. It was there where she developed a love and passion for nature and native plants of California. After college, Mayra returned to Ventura County where she volunteered at a few local organizations (one of them being OVLC!) doing plantings, pulling weeds, and trail maintenance. She landed an internship working for Catalina Island Conservancy, and it was there she found her passion and love for plant restoration. Mayra lived on the island for four months, and she worked on native plant restoration projects around the island as well as the native plant nursery. Mayra also worked on invasive plant removal and invasive plant surveys down drainages. Mayra also gained more experience working with invasive plant removal under Channel Island Restoration where she worked on an arundo removal project in Ventura County. Mayra is excited to be part of the OVLC team, and part of the restoration efforts for the valley. In her free time, you can find her hiking and enjoying charcuterie board.
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
From the Director Ojai is an extraordinary place filled with remarkable people in an amazing natural setting. It seems that the valley exerts a persistent pull on anyone who has spent any time here. In addition to these distinctive qualities, increasingly the Ojai Valley faces many challenges all too familiar to communities throughout California and the West. Perhaps nothing epitomizes these shared challenges more than the recent adjudication of water use throughout the Ventura River watershed. As others have pointed out, the recent passage of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) by the California legislature was an overdue but vital first step for California to get a handle on the over-drafting of our groundwater basins. (For instance, in the nearby Cuyama Valley, groundwater levels have dropped over 400 feet from irrigation pumping!) SGMA requires consideration of nature’s needs—particularly “groundwater dependent ecosystems,” like rivers. How the planning for this interacts with the adjudication of water use is impossible to predict, but the adjudication places the Ojai Valley at the crossroads of water planning statewide. Meanwhile, the catastrophic Thomas Fire is the regional embodiment of shifting fire regimes statewide and across the West. The effects of climate on fire behavior are demanding more proactive planning and management. Also, how natural communities respond to more intense fire in a drier climate is also a concern. Innovative planning to protect our communities (human and natural) is imperative in response to the shifting conditions. Thankfully, proactive land conservation with willing sellers can be a highly strategic, cost-effective and lasting strategy to advance water sustainability and mitigate fire concerns. The OVLC has been, and will continue to be, a leader in the broad partnership to protect and restore the Ventura River and its tributaries. Targeted land protection can also help with groundwater recharge. Similarly, in addition to providing critical recreational linkages, protecting land in the wildland urban interface can bolster the protection of life and property in the face of wildfire. The staff and board of the OVLC are eager to work with more landowners to accelerate our land conservation program to enhance our collective response to climate challenges that are increasingly acute in Ojai, and emblematic of issues across the American West. Together, as a community, Ojai can be a leader in planning for resilience by pairing land conservation with community adaptations in this changing climate.
Tom Maloney, Executive Director
Protecting your views, trails, water and wildlife
ovlc.org Page 3
FROM THE FIELD
Here at the OVLC rain is a very exciting event—it kicks off the start to planting season for our field crew! We are out and about on all of the preserves, but we are especially proud of our plantings along San Antonio Creek, where native plants have successfully replaced invasive arundo, and at the old Farmont Ranch on the Ventura River Preserve, where native plants are thriving in what used to be an orange orchard! Plants that thrive at San Antonio Creek and other riparian habitats include arroyo willow, giant wild rye, mulefat, mugwort, southern honeysuckle, and Western sycamore. These natives help to stabilize the banks of the river by preventing soil erosion, conserving water (which invasive plants greedily extract), and providing native habitat for local wildlife. Things are definitely getting greener here in Ojai and we cannot wait to see what this rain season has in store for our planted saplings near the creek. One volunteer organization that is as passionate as the OVLC about riparian restoration is the Sespe Fly Fishers, and they recently assisted our field crew with planting baby oak trees and companion shrubs at the Ventura River Preserve. Overall, volunteers helped us kick off planting season with over 300 plants and countless numbers of acorns in the ground near San Antonio Creek and the Ventura River. The planting season has not yet concluded and there is still a lot left to tackle, however with the support of volunteers, we will continue these large planting efforts and sustain a greener future here in the Ojai Valley. Page 4
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
CREATURE FEATURE Mule Deer With the onset of rain and the changing season, have you noticed things growing? The local mule deer certainly have! Not only are mule deer excited for the new vegetation they can now browse, but the males have fully grown their antlers for mating season. Mating season for these deer begins in the late fall and lasts until mid-spring, where typically a family group of deer consists of one male and a few females. All of the bucks that were not successful in “wooing” females either remain solitary or form bachelor groups. So if you’re wondering why there is a group of bucks wandering about without any does, these are the notorious bachelors of Ojai. Each buck aspires to have the largest antlers and will physically challenge one another with their rack. Eventually the bucks shed their antlers and regrow them come the next mating season. Once spring comes it may become difficult to differentiate between the males and females, so be sure to admire those racks while you can!
Photos taken by our wildlife preserve cameras.
Allan Jacobs Bridge We hope you’ve been using the new, volunteer-built Allan Jacobs Trail these past few months since it opened in November. If you have used it, no doubt you’ve seen the piles of lumber on the south end of the trail near Oso Ridge Trail. That’s for the new bridge that’s being built. With support from the local Rotary Club of Ojai and Ojai Lion’s Club, we were able to purchase material for an equestrian bridge over Olive Creek. As before, it’ll be all volunteer built, and since we won’t be finished until late March at the earliest, there’s plenty of opportunity to help out. Come on out and build a bridge with us! Protecting your views, trails, water and wildlife
ovlc.org Page 5
SAY HI TO GOJAI!
Gojai is a proud OVLC business sponsor and was our premier sponsor for Montaintainfilm on Tour 2019, and will be again in 2020! We are excited to welcome them to our community of Ojai Valley Land Conservancy partners!
GOJAI Organic’s Founder Lindsay Chambers’ love of nature inspired her to move to a farm in Ojai, California. Lindsay’s other great love? Her family. So when her mom was diagnosed with cancer, she took time off to be by her side. While undergoing chemotherapy, her mom decided to give up her daily diet soda routine, but she couldn’t find a simple, healthy caffeinated alternative on the market. Energy drinks had too much caffeine and unnecessary additives. And like many people, she liked the simplicity of sparkling water. GOJAI Organic is the nation’s first organic, gently caffeinated sparkling water. It has zero preservatives, calories or sugar, and the caffeine source is from organic un-roasted coffee beans. Beyond GOJAI Organic’s support of the OVLC, GOJAI also created a college scholarship that it provides annually to a Nordhoff High School Senior. Photos by Marc Alt Page 6
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Photo by Fridolin Schöpper
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IN HONOR OF:
IN MEMORY OF:
Bert Carter’s birthday
Allan Jacobs
from Alice Barnwell
Brian Johnson
“Brian! I know how much you love Ojai’s mountains and hikes.. Sending Love! Happy Everything! :)” from Monica Pattera
Cassidy Teufel Family Merry Christmas from Kathy Teufel
David Beckwith and Michael Shapiro from William & Wendi Knox
Early Malloy
from Grace & Dan Malloy
Marti Reid’s Birthday
“In memory of Allan Jacobs and his dedication of making it possible for us to climb our mountains.” from Friend’s Ranch
Allan Jacobs
from Janet Jacobs, Topa Topa Optometry, Inc.
Charlie Eller
from Carrie Eller & Jimmy Harvey
Douglas Theriault
from April Theriault & Ken Eros
Joan Landfield
“May Mom’s love of Ojai live on” from Daniel Landfield
from Candace Grodin, Paula & Geoffrey Clarke, Wayne Lattimer
John Whitman
GIFTS MEMBERSHIP FOR:
Michele Briley
Christine Bednar Rowanne Henry Fred Fisher Emily Burson Donnie Cervantes Jennie Prebor Lisa Morehart
from Lynette Cervantes
Colleen Cooney
from Brendan Taylor Protecting your views, trails, water and wildlife
from Heidi & Andrew Whitman “This gift is in honor of our beautiful mom and nana. May her gentle soul live on in the serenity and peace of Ojai’s lands. Xoxo, Kat, Dan, Max, and Mia”
Sara Roxanne Schneider from Amy Schneider
Theodore Walsh
from Chris & Mark Marmes Acknowledgments: 11/20/19—1/14/20
ALCO Plumbing Anthony and Angela Ocone Artizen Floor Corp, Mike Bennett California Solar Electric Canvas and Paper, Neil Kreitman Damar Construction, Mike Marshall David Cohn Deborah Pendrey Eagle Demolition Services Forest Nielsen Woodworker Hartmann Electric, John Hartmann J. Larson Tile, Jordan Larson Ken Beisel Mike Cleary Tile Nyla and Peter Adams Ojai Custom Paint, Titus Painting Ojai Electric, George Hartmann Ojai Playhouse, The Alawars Pacific Stoneworks Phillip Collins Reliable Heating & Air Conditioning, Brian Klindt RTC Plastering, Robin Chavez Sam Houseman Construction TJM Drywall, Tim Malloy Tobias Parker, General Contactor Ventura Roofing, Tim Reed Virginia Siegfried and Barry Verga WJW Masonry, Bill Welch In honor of his dedicated contractors and clients from Kerry Miller Designer/Builder, Inc. ovlc.org Page 7
UPCOMING EVENTS March 8: Women in the Wild Events - Visit ovlc.org/wildwomen20 for more information and to RSVP • Yoga on the preserve with Peak Power Yoga • Trail run on the Ventura River Preserve • Mother-Child Nature Discovery with Ventura Wild • Guided hike April 4: Stewardship Director Hike & Picnic -Space is limited: Registration required April 18: Spring Native Plant Sale at the OVLC Nursery on Besant Road For the most up-to-date information about OVLC events visit ovlc.org/ events
2019 Fiscal Year* Annual Report * FY 2019: Fiscal Year October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019
As our supporters will recall, last summer the OVLC’s former office manager and bookkeeper was arrested for grand theft and forgery. With this unfortunate incident, the board took immediate steps to improve internal controls on bookkeeping. In our continuing efforts to ensure that this sort of criminality never occurs again at OVLC, the board retained a new auditor who is familiar with land trust work. The auditor has been conducting a thorough examination of our books and operating procedures to help us refine our systems. We are still in the process of working with the auditor to determine ways to improve our systems. This process has taken longer than our typical annual audit and therefore our financial statements were not yet ready to include in this newsletter. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. Once available for review, we will post fiscal year 2019’s audited financial statements at ovlc.org/financials. Tom Maloney Executive Director Page 8
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Thank you to our FY 2019 Donors Our trails live on what you give. Donors $99 and Under
Bob & Heather Sanders
Conejo Valley Homeschoolers
Dolli Alexander
Gerry Bradberry
Aaron Kreisberg
Bob & Joan Grove
Cookie & Bill Miley
Don & Colleen Cutler
GoOjai
Al Stroberg & Betsy Patterson
Bob & Leslie Nutting
Craig Aitken
Don & Sue Reed
Gracie Gartrell
Alan & Jan Peter
Bonnie & Jeff Jenkins
Craig Jennings
Don Brusselars
Graham Smith
Alan & Jazmin Charlesworth
Bonnie Bartling
Cynthia Grier & Jon Cotham
Don Cervantes
Grant & Erika Gorman
Alexander Shorb
Brad & Maria Marcus
Cynthia Watchorn
Donna Freiermuth
Greg & Martha Lepine
Alice & Richard Matzkin
Brandon & Catherine
Dai Leon
Doug & Moira Volpi
Greg & Mary Wood
Alicia & Franco Campana
Bencomo
Dalit Fresco
Dou-Yan Yang
Gretchen Garnett
Alison Huyett
Brendan Taylor
Dan Parziale
Dr. Ian & Ginny MacLean
Gwen Bell & Alex Seizew
Alix, Sierra, & Brycycles
Brian Kimball Pidduck
Dana Stephens
Drew & Kris Mashburn
Heidi & Gunther Zweimuller
Alojai Creations
Brittany Blackwell
Dana Stroh
Drew Ferrie
Heidi Hamilton
Amanda Peacock
Brook Montagna
Daniel Boyd-Barrett
Duncan Wallace
Herbert & Charlie Rogove
Amy Hueppe
Caitlin Praetorius
Daniel Johnson
Dwayne & Marilyn Bower
Holly & Paul Woolson
Anamaria Schmid
Caitlyn Barrera
Dyan Berk
Huntra Becket
Andrea Gleysteen
Callen Gartrell
Daniel Moses & Charlene Spretnak
Ed & Diane Colby
Irene Tirella
Edgar Kyle
Ish Goldstein
Edward Bailey
Jack & Traci David
Elaine Reasor
James McEachen
Elaine Sweet
James Odling & Gloria Valladolid
Andrew Baksh Andy Brucker & Amy Bruckmeier Anita C. Cramm Anita Hendricks Ann & Neil Havlik Ann Gartrell Ann Horton & Fred Line Ann James Ann Koons Anna Julien Anna Szymkowiak Annette Cooper Anthony Vollering April Armstrong April Theriault & Ken Eros Ashley Berry Ashley Nielsen & Nicholas Mang
Caren Olsen Carol & David Castanon Carol Cohen Carol Day Carol Garramone Carol Smith & Larry Yuva Carolyn Emmons Catherine Lee Catherine Wilcox Cathie Ferro Cathy Moon Celeste Gabriele Charla Brown Charles Perry Chelsey & Josh Fink Cherie Windsor Chery Cerise Cheryl & Dean Geiser
Daniel Parks & Debra Brittain Daniel Silver Danielle Suarez Darian & Peter Dragge Dave, Jen, Claire & Julia Hankins David & Aimee Mendoza David & Amy Bransky David & Lisa Luckenbach David & Marilyn Neuman David & Mary Cunning David & Pamela Lee David Brown David Kille David Kramer David White Dawn Blauer de Vie Weinstock Debbie & James Harmon
Avery Colborn
Chris Brock
Barbara & Charlie Snyder
Chris Broman & Mary Mohr
Barbara & Michael Rugo
Christina Kennedy
Barbara Gibson & Bill Shields
Christina Lee
Barbara Rose
Christine Cooper
Barry & Paula Wayne
Christine Gallagher
Belinha Beatty
Christine Humphrey
Benjamin Holland
Christy & Don Jackson
Bent & Else Lundbye
Cindy & Douglas Bower
Beth Dorenkamp
Cindy & Lynn Mullins
Betsy Fields
Cindy Hansen
Betty Gutman
Cindy Pitou Burton
Bettyanne Sessing
Claudia & Drew Lurie
Bill & Maggie Mors
Claudia Boyd-Barrett
Dmitri Siegel & Woodwyn Koons
Bill Thatcher
Clementine Turner
Dogs Fly Design
Protecting your views, trails, water and wildlife
Debora Kirkland Deborah & Richard Waxberg Deborah Whorf Dee Reid & Jeff Starkweather Deneille Ingram Denis Thomopoulos Derek Mason Diana Goodrow Diana Kelly Diane Sharani McLaughlin Dirk Farner Dirk Schubert
Eleanor Crilly Elena Rios Elisa Taylor-Godwin Elizabeth & Bill Tallakson Elizabeth Clarke Emilee Dziuk Emily Prather Eric Ehlers
Jan & Marc Key Jan & Roy Worsham Jan Hiester Jan Scow Jane & Dennis McCarthy Jane Morris Janet & John Owens Janice Dependahl
Eric Johnson
Jaspa
Erika Lindquist
Jeanette & Joel Berkovitz
Erin Mills
Jeanette Robinson
Eva Grasso
Jen Muller
Evert Nygren
Jennifer & Richard Niles
Flynn Vanauker
Jennifer Holland
Frances Perez
Jerry Millstein & Jill Penkus
Frank Hanson
Jerry O’Brien
Fred & Judy Bysshe
Jesse Ridenour
Gabe Trujillo
Jessica Brown
Gail Cooley
Jessica Cesar
Gail Furillo
Jill & Evan Lashly
Gail Smith
Jim & Lisa Greenway
Gary & Carmen Glenn
Jim & Susan Jackson
Gary Gartrell
Jim & Susan-Marie Moody
Gary Nichols
Jim Parker
Gayla Swann
Jo Ann Monak
Gayle Caldwell
Joan & Willis Allen
Gerald & Darlene Carlson
Joan Samara
Gerri French
Joanne & Neil Quinn
Gerry & Beverly Ching
John & Jessica Nava
ovlc.org Page 9
Joel Weishaus & Susan Rowland
Kate Furlong
Kristina & Eric Vallen
Lynn Rimkus
Michael & Stacy Havstad
Kate Hadeka
Kristina & Gary Duncan
Lynne Doherty & Helen Allen
Michael & Susan Weaver
John & Joan Sherfey
Kate Horwick
Larry & Elizabeth Memel
M. Therese Brown
Michael Boggs
John & JoAnne Wilson
Katherine Crook
Laura Denne
Malgorzata Materka-Ulivo
Michael Daley
John & Lisa Boyd
Kathleen & Raul Kottler
Laura Pavliscak
Marcia & Richard Sykes
Michael Finley
John Dutton
Kathleen & Wayne Morris
Lauren Nichols
Michael Marks
John Hankins
Kathleen Moore
Laurie Edgcomb
Marcia Doty & Celeste Matesevac
John Krist
Kathreen Smith
Laurie Hope
John, Reese & Brianna Lamar
Kathryn Le Grice
Lavonne Theriault
Johnny Dresser
Kathryn Soares
Lee & Katherine Rosenboom
Johnny Park
Kathy & Wes Theis
Les Weber
Jolene Catlett
Kathy McAlpine
Lesley Laine
Jonathan & Julie Marie Teichert
Kathy Walker
Leslie, Glenn, & Alex Paxton
Katie Cook
Liberty Hanson Wild
Kay Renius
Liesel Rigsby
Kelli & Shane Butler
Lin Mullenneaux
Kellie Warriner
Linda & Robert Meyer
Kelly Hahs
Linda Aldous
Judy Mize
Kelsey Bailey
Linda Bogart
Judy Piazza
Ken & Karen Lemieux
Linda Groberg
Judy Ross
Ken Delbo
Linda Laughner
Julia & Joe Alcocer
Ken Leandro
Linda Parks
Julie Griffin & Stan Schneider
Kendall & Ron Verkennis
Linda Steis
Juliet Henderson
Kendra Yoes
Lindsey & Dylan Roddick
June & Michael Juett
Kevin & Susie Hanson
Lisa Hacker
Justin & Viki Purvis
Kevin Lively
Liz Haley
Kai Ewert
Kevin Reed & Cathleen Lynch
Lori Blackmon
Kara & Jeff Hooper
Khaled & Sheryl Al-Awar
Lori Calabrese
Karen & Craig Harris
Kikki Eilertsen
Lori Cleary
Karen & Gary Bednorz
Kim Maxwell & Patrick Lashly
Lori Farrar
Karen & Woody Traudt
Kim Vincent
Lucille Elrod
Megan & Scott Pemberton
Pam Tonucci
Karen Ciabattoni
Kip Mikler
Lucy & Peter Read
Meher Mount - Buzz
Pamela Fetter
Karen Sama
Krista Bloom
Lydia Ruark
& Ginger Glasky
Patricia Bailey Patrick & Sarah Karinja Patrick Taylor
Jonelle Miller Joy Atrops-Kimura Joy Fedele & Scott Forsyth Judy & David Poultney
Michael Tregler
Margot & Rich Blacker
Michele DuPratt
Marilyn Clay Noad
Michelle Cassel
Marilyn K. Whitford
Michelle Sherman
Mark & Susan Hibberd
Mike & Nancy Krumpschmidt
Mark Fox
Mitchell R. Yount
Mark Miller
Molly Jordan Koch
Mark Wieneke
Monique Navarro
Marlayn Riley
Mooney Creative
Martha Saxe
Moorea Kern
Marvin & Trina Stevens
Nancy & Gerry Moir
Marvin & Anne Johnson
Nancy & Glenn Perry
Mary Ann, Chuck &
Nancy Aguilar
Eleanora Burright
Nancy Clark
Mary Godschalk
Nancy Currey
Mary Guinn & Michelle
Nancy Escher
Guinn-Di Bernardo
Nancy Pepper
Mary Jane McCall
Narmeen Hashim
Mary-John Hart Matt & Betsey Funderburk Maureen Tunney &
Nate & Lindsey Yeager Nick Bobroff Nicole Stern
John Oldach
Ojai Blooms
Maureen Volland
Ojai Pottery and Clay School
Me Gusta Tamales
Owen & Jaimie Judkins
Karen Storey
Kristen Smith
Lynn & George Malone
Meredith Martin Treadwell
Kat Howell
Kristen Sullivan
Lynn Dorgan
& Tom Treadwell
WELCOME NEW DONORS! Alexandra Gritlefeld Balian-Chinn Family Charitable Bank of the Sierra Brad Boyd Brenda Flores Bryan Gonzales Catherine Ann Jones Dane Kapler David Low Debra Eve Donna Baumann Dylan Boeken Elissa O’Brien Eric Adams Francis Pepper Page 10
Glen Eidson Graham Chisholm Holly Vesecky & Josh Beckman Jhaura & Mihaela Wachsman Jill & Chris Borgeson Jill Cohen John Holt Johnathan Reinbold Law Office of Robert Long Leslie Z Tobin Liliana Bettolo Louis Hunt Lucy & Jonathan Tolmach Margaret Jones Marissa Bills
Mike Frisk Nancy J Madsen Nancy Mana Patrick Mahoney Peak Design People to People, LA Chapter Peter Seery Pressley Johnson Design Richard Appelbaum Richard Carlson Robert Beitcher Sarah Clabeaux Sarah Jacobs Sarah Trudeau Scott Weiss
Seal Graeber Soul Body Ojai Healing Arts & Yoga Center Susan King Susie Kenefick Tanner Yould Tee Smith Tessa Byars Tigran Nahabedian Tom Atherton Tom Maloney & Andrea Jones Yvonne Besvold Acknowledgments: 11/20/19—1/14/20 The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Topa Topa Sponsors
By Gretchen Garnett Patti Jones
Ronald & Charlotte Williams
Sierra Alder
Patty Fry
Ronne Grasberger
Sierra Sanchez-Grossman
Paul & Carol Belser
Rose C. Boggs
Simone Berkovitz
Paul DeLapa & Bruce Owen
Rosemarie Singer
Slow Tech Labs
Paul Wah
Rosie & Barney Tower
Soheila Kolahi
Peggy & Dennis Wood
Roy Hooper
Solveig Listerud
Peter Schreiner
Ruth Cooper
Sooz Glazebrook
Philip Fickling
Ruth Walker
Sophie Loire
Philip Rosenbaum
Ryan Imhof
Stacey Bennett
Pippa’s Print Shop
Sallie G. Reynolds
Stacy Smith
Priscilla Archibald
Sally & James True
Stephanie Wald
R.A. & A.P. Bernhoft
Sally Greenwood
Stephen & Judy Walker
Rachel Kondor & Brian Segee
Samuel Thomas
Stephen & Ruby Pronovost
Rae Amey
Sara Zicherman
Stephen & Sandra Selwyn
Ramona Andrews
Sarah & John Alderson
Stephenie Steger
Ramona Mejia
Sarah Ferranti
Steve & Debi Carr
Ramsay & Elise Rayner
Sarah Lubeck
Steve Clark
Rena Randall
Sarah Morrow
Steve Offerman
Rhiannon Kingston
Scott & Leilani Weigand
Steven & Nancy Baker
Richard & Sharon Rockefeller
Sepideah Mohsenian-Rahman
Stuart & Kyle Crowner
Richard Bradley
Serena Warner
Susan & Dwayne McCulloch
Richard Flowers
Sespe Farm Management
Richard Hiltner
Sharlene Smartt
Richard Jones
Sharon Best
Richard Omura
Sharon Madonna
Richard Parsons
Sharon Thames
Susan Hardenbergh & Rod Jacobsen
Robert & Amy Dennis
Sharon Van Riper
Susan King
Robert Hartmann & Mel Welsh
Sheila McCue
Susan Leech
Robin Fontana Kent
Sholom Joshua
Susan Provost
Robin Wallace
Sid & Sheila Cohn
Susan Van Abel
Susan Capper Susan Draffan & David Buehrens
Thank you to all of our Business Sponsors for your generosity!
MOST LIKED PHOTO OF 2019
Dr. David L. Garber, D.D.S Gojai Patagonia
Ventura River Sponsors
El Segundo Brewing Company, LLC Lorraine Lim Catering, Inc Topa Topa Brewing Company
Ojai Meadows Sponsors
Brent Jacobs Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley California Resources Corporation High on Kennels Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company REI Rotary Club of Ojai
San Antonio Creek Sponsors
Channel Islands Sportfishing The Glass Man Professional Window Washing Company, Inc. The Gables of Ojai Kerry Miller Designer & Builder, Inc Laughing Dog Ranch LLC Meiners Oaks Ace Hardware Meridian Design Construction Ojai Valley Inn Ojai Valley Lions Club Optimize Riverview Ranch SC&A Insurance Services LLC Thomas E. Malley Law Office West Coast Air Conditioning
Sulphur Mountain Sponsors
ALCO Plumbing California Solar Electric Compass and Nail, Inc Don & Cheree Edwards ~ RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors Dreamcatcher Animal Sanctuary Euterpe Farms Firestick Pottery McDaniel Insurance Services Rabobank Rains Shelter Social Club Soul Body Ojai Healing Arts & Yoga Center Ventura Wild Vitality Fitness Ojai
In-Kind Sponsors
BioResource Consultants bITvision California 101 Guide Custom Printing Michael Lommel | ClarityWebworks.co Ojai Quarterly Ojai Valley Directory
MOST LIKED PHOTOS OF 2019 Susan Yarnell
Vida Vida
Allen Vail
Bill & Renate Funk
Chris & Mark Marmes
Susie & Anthony Tomlinson
Vikki Havle
Allison Reed
Bita Ratkevich
Chris & Suzy Reinhart
Suzanne Harvey
Virginia Siegfried
Andrea Brook
Bob & Kathleen Blackmur
Chris & Wendy Hilgers
Suzanne Lugotoff
Wade Dazey
Andrea Gaines
Bob & Kim Perron
Christie Mattull
Suzanne Soule
Wayne Tate
Andrew & Sharon Engel
Bob Dreger
Christina Taylor & John Webb
Sydney Robertson
Wendy & Jerry Jacobs
Sylvia MuĂąoz Schnopp
Angela Heald
Christine & Bud White
Wendy Ford
Bonnie LaForge
Tamra Reza
Anna Thomas
Brendan Soule
Christine Bednar
Wendy McCobb
Ted & Pearl Malos
Anne & Chad Carper
Wendy Waudby
Brett & Denise Kantrowitz
Terra Candiloro
Whitney & Christopher DeMoor
Anne & David Brown
Brian & Marie Haase
Christopher Bates & Sandra Torres
Anne Hallock
Brittany Sanders
Anne Kaplan
Bruce Jugan
Tessa Magill
Will Johnson & Victoria Matthews
Anne Ricketts
The Balina Family
Willa Irwin
Carl & Jody Cooper
Annie Nyborg & Matt Brunetti
The Southern Los Padres Trekking Company
Wilson Miller
Anthony & Kathan Glassman
Yolande LaBelle
Theresa & Cesar Mendoza
Zoerita & Clark Bowers
Arne Anselm & Michelle Velderrain
Terry & Alan Maulhardt Terry Beckett
Thomas Fredrickson
Art & Margie Coats
Tim Nafziger & Charletta Erb
Sustaining Donors $100+
Aryna Swope & Phil Caruthers
Timothy Teague
A Taste of Ojai
Tom & Vickie Robertson
Awhai Pottery
Adam Kear
Tom Rambo
Adaya Walsh
Tony Sturgeon Tracee Sorrentino
Adrienne & Christopher Stephens
Tracey Jackson
Barbara Bones Barbara Bowman & Sol de la Torre Bueno
Christy & Karl Hunter Cindy Frings Cindy Gordon Cindy Rowe
Carol Peterson & Curt Mossestad
Claire & Brad Brian Claire & David Paulson
Carol Shore
Claudia Wilson
Carolee Tibbitts
Clinton & Eileen Vocke
Caroline Good
Cowles Clan
Carolyn M. Huestis Carrie Eller & Jimmy Harvey Caryn & Charlie Bosson Cathi & James Nye
Dalius Gedgaudas Dan Chase Dan Walsh
Barbara Feild
Cathy Diorio
Airdrie Martin Kincaid
Charlene Broudy
Tracey St. Johns
Barbara Sorem-Hughlett
Alan & Jeanne Templeman
Charles Crofoot
Travis Dasnoit & Bethany Inoshita
Barry & Chris Betlock
Alan & Liz Forbess
Barry & Donna Rabe
Chester & Bernadette Jagiello
Trent & Olga Jones
Alex & Sarah Sheshunoff
Benjamin Mati
Chet & Mellanie Hilgers
Van Doan
Ali S. Widmar
Bert & Lanae Carter
Chris & Anna P. Rhoda
Vanessa Rogers
Allen & Theresa Bridges
Betty & Maynard Olson
Chris & Karen Birbeck
Page 12
Dale Cundiff
Dana White Danielle Thulin Darlene Patrick & Jim Selman Dave Schaar David & Vicki Hunt David Byars & Stephanie Niccora
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
All photos taken on the Ventura River Preserve. Photo credits - Left page: Ashley Berry Right page: Nathan Wickstrum David Mayer
Emily & Tony Ayala
Heide Kurtz
Jill Grantham
& Darrell Ralston
David Pacheco
Emily Duke
Helene & John Vachet
Jim & Fran Christiansen
Kara Lakes
David Wheaton
Eric & Missy Stoen
Heritage Financial
Jinny & Rob Feiss
Karen Kaminsky
Dean Hazard
Eric Dilks
Herring Law Group
Joan & Bill Vogel
Karen Mason
Dean Zatkowsky
Erick & Jen Lord
HHL Foundation
Joan Roberts
Kashi & Jennifer Lee
Debbie & Frank Parisi
Erin & Jon Bernthal
Howard & Irene Hoos
Joe Stronks
Kat Romo
Debra Wilson & Gary Heuer
Ernie & Carly Ford
Irshad & Linda Haque
John & Andrea Nelson
Kat West
Denise Chacon
Evelyn Caliri
Isla Claire Smith
John & Fran Pavelko
Katherine Regester
Dennis & Meredy Benson Rice
Frances Fitting
James & Carlito Paul
John & Kelly van Houten
Kathi & Mark Connally
Dennis & Stacy Allison
Fred Chase & Martha Moran
James & Dawn Engel
John & Laurie Bodine
Kathleen Richards
Diana Feinberg
Fred Rothenberg
James Henry
John & Lisa Adair
Kathryn & Jason Headley
Diana Trent
G. Scott Miller
James Turnbull
John & Maureen Hannah
Kathy Nolan
Gail & Alan Mintz
Jan Chase
John Brokaw
Katrina & Robert Schmidt
Gary & Dorothy Hitch
Jane Carroll
John Kuney & Christy Sebastian
Kay Wilson
Gem Quest Jewelers
Janice & Dan Lang
Joline Godfrey
Keith & Kathleen Manion
Gios Tacos
Janis Emhardt
Jonathan & Linda Lambert
Kenley Neufeld & Leslie Davis
Gloria Gerace
JB & Elizabeth White
Joyce Sattler
Kerry & Ramona Ellison
Grace & Dan Malloy
Jeff & Debbie Frank
Douglas Schmalenberger
Grace Lin
Judi Morningstar & Alberto Kywi
Kevin Moore
Jeff & Elisabeth Otterbein
Dr. William Fox
Greg & Darcy Gamble
Jeff & Theresa Ferguson
Eamon O’Byrne & Stephanie Linder
Greg Cooper
Jeffrey Peariso
Ed & Judy Savage
Gretchen Greenberg & Keith Buchan
Jeffrey Zurofsky
Eileen & Andrew Atkinson
Hattie Vail
Jeremy Henry
Elains Enns & Ched Myers
Hayley Marcus
Jeremy Kottler
Elizabeth Martin
Heather & Michael Holden
Jerry & Kerry Holden
Elizabeth Watson
Heather Jameson
Jessica Donahue
Julie Lovejoy & Antoinette Pineau
Ellen Sklarz
Heather King & Greg Grant
Jill Forman & David Young
Kara Partridge Ralston
Dick & Kris DeVillers Dixie Fullerton Dolores Seely Donald Rodrigues Donna Darm Doug Reed & Kristine Humphries
Protecting your views, trails, water and wildlife
Jens & Laura Riege
Judith & Bennett McCutcheon Judith Mercer Judy Macy Judy Oberlander & Reynold Akison Judy Pugh Julie & Bo Manson
Kim & Mike Regan Kim & Steven Rapholz Kira Krukowski Kristan Altimus Kristen Lamb Kristi Schoeld & Neil Jorgensen Ladonna & Russell Hawkins Lanny & Rondia Kaufer Larry & Joyce Steingold Larry & Karen Hanson
ovlc.org Page 13
Larry Cowles
Mike & Cory Zielsdorf
Larry Smith & Dorothy Dron-Smith
Mike & Joanne Caldwell
Laura Brown Laura Crary Interior Design Laura Peck
Mike & Michele* Briley Mike & Tobi Greene Mike Westbrook
Roger Beerworth & Barbara Parsons Roger Conrad Rosalie Zabilla ROWSIE VAIN Ruby Qurashi
Trudy Frohlich
David Loe
Ventura Wild
Debra & Ted Reed
Vera & Juergen Pahl
Dorthea Atwater & Peter Hay
Vertoch Design Architects, Inc.
Ed & Barbara Kutchma
Virginia & Peter Aguirre
Edie Lambert
Walter & Julia Hamann
Elizabeth Hawn
Wanda Weller
Eric Humel & Alise Echele
Warren McConnell
Ernie Roide
Watercolors by Patty Van Dyke Wendy Hubbell
Frederick & Margaret Menninger
Lee Ann Dawson
Mister Softee of Southern California
Len Klaif & Linda Harmon
Natalie Gray
Ruth Sayre
Leslie Leavens
Nicola Bennett
Ryan Blatz
Lin Coleman Massey & Paul Massey
Nicole & Trevor Goller
Sally Carless
Nita Whaley & Don Anderson
Sally Lemire
William Girvetz
Friend’s Ranch
Nomi Morris
Samantha Dowdall-Green
William Shouse
Gary & Brenda Farr
Norma Jean Bennett
Samantha R. Lau
William Spina
George & Peggy Melton
Norman & Marion Livermore
Sarah & Greg Delvecchio
William Weirick
Graham Beck
Nutmeg’s Ojai House
Sarah Raskin
Anonymous
Green Goddess Garden
Loren Miller
Ojai Valley Family Medicine Group
Scott Ripple
Lori Siegmund & Howard Sherer
Pat & Julie Dexter
Linda & Boris Chaloupsky Lisa & Stephen Duncan Lisa Baum & Mark Sausser Liz Goldman Lois Barnes & Steven Jung
Lou Ann Schlichter Louise Heydt Lynda Scott & John Marshall Lynette Cervantes Lynn & Ron Render Lynn Braitman & Robert Moser Lynn Brookhouser Maggie Kaufman Mandy Cisler Margaret Magnus & Sam Ervin Margaret Tarmy Margo & Christopher Land
Patricia & James Correll Patrick J Garahan Patti Hardman Paul Ramirez Paula Power Paula Scott Pegi & Jeffrey Skoff Penny Wheat Peter & Heidi DiCapua Phillip & Mary Nelson Polly & Scott Nelson Priscilla L. Brennan
Maria Halvorson
Rachel Haymon & Ken Macdonald
Marilyn Bodo & Chuck Wood
Raj Ramasubramanian
Ruth Pastine & Gary Lang
Howard Asher & Jan Helfrich
Scott Silver
Stewards $250+
In the Field
Sharon Bushman
Allan & Joyce West
Ingo & Leslie Schreiber
Shed & June Behar
Allison Hendricks
Jackie & Derek Dammers
Sheila & Donald Cluff
Andrew Gilman
James & Tina Little
Shelby Campbell
Andrew Snett
Jamie & Carolyn Bennett
Sheryl Shushan
Angela & Anthony Ocone
Janice & Rob Hastie
Sienna Yoast
Ann Framson
Janis Huerta
Sol Haus Design
Anne & Mike Morris
Jay & Pam Windsor
Stacia Young
Ara Guzelimian
Jerry & Merry Dunn
Stephen & Sheila Cox
Aura Carmi
Jesse & Trina Grantham
Stephen Adams
Barbara & Jack Wells
Jim & Rebecca Malone
Steve Matzkin
Barbara Balderman
Jo-Anne & Harold Guy
Steven & Jacqueline Wegerbauer
Ben Nilsson
John E. Peakes Jr
Bernhard Reutemann
John Galaska - BeCalm of Ojai
Beth & Bruce Brown
Julie Grist & Paul Holahan
Bill & Marcia Wakelee
Julie Hahn
Bill Norris & Judith Hale Norris
Karin & Rod Dingman
Brigitte Lovell
Katherine & Glenn Erickson
Bruce & Jan Hunter
Kim & Troy Hardcastle
Bruce & Linda Nofrey
Laurie Arnold
Bruce & Marie Botnick
Lincoln & Sheila Anderson
Bruce & Patricia Kuebler
Linda Granat
Bruce Stenslie & Julie Tumamait-Stenslie
Linda L. Maigret
Sue Horgan Supan Builders Susan & Jim Florence
Mark & Gail Stubbins
Randall & Renee Roth
Mark Silbernagel
Ray Abel & Pilar Pacheco
Marty & Barbara Pops
Ray King & Kale Starbird
Marty McDonald
Raymond Bransfield
Maruja Real
Reed & Heather Cowan
Mary & Greg Iler
Rene Briggs
Tamara Iwerks & Daniel Webster
Mary & Les Baker
Richard & Mary Kanatzar
Tania & Tobias Parker
Mary McConnel
Richard & Sandy Hajas
Terramor Organic Home
Richard (Drew) Rhone
Terry & Cricket Twichell
Rick & Robin Beers
Theresa & Melvin Simpson
Cari Guerrero Shore & Peter Shore
Rikki Horne
Thomas & Janice McCormick
Caroline Lieber
Marsha & Paul Fonteyn
Risa Horowitz
Tia & Pat Marshall
Carolyn & Doug Kirkpatrick
Marti & Dan Reid
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Tiese & Bob Quinn
Charlene & Ken Hartenstein
Mary & John M. Cuthbert
Robert & Alice Rene
Tim & Gloria Lawson
Charley & Sandy Sledd
Mary Natwick & Larry Scott
Robert & Carole Adams
Tim & Lucinda Setnicka
Chip & Lori Collins
Mary Nelson Skincare and Massage Studio
Robert & Donna Lloyd
Tom & Nanette Benbrook
Craig Marcus
Robert & Linda Long
Topa Topa Brewing Company
Dan & Betsy George
Robert Dodge
Tricia & Todd Mills
David & Mary Trudeau
Robert Wedin
Trish & Kent Hardley
David Bender
Robyn L. Posin
Trish Whalen
David Hurwith
Mary McGrath & Richard Simon Matthew & Taralee Schoen Maureen & John Hannah Merrill Williams Michael & Arlene Ross Michael & Sally Leon Michael Kittrell Michael Price & Leslie Clark Michael Zierhut Michele Cardella Michele Murdoch & Paul DelSignore
Page 14
Susan Bransfield Susan Smartt Suza Francina Tamara & Greg Haggard
Margaret & Duane Williamson
Buffalo Exchange
Maria & Tyler Barrell Mark & Caroline Stubbs
Matt Norris Michael & Kathy Ogden Michael & Susan Addison Michael J. Jauregui & Susan Olson
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Together, our community will help protect Ojai’s open space for everyone to enjoy, forever. Thank you to our Wild About Ojai partners who help make this possible. Visit a participating business today and take part.
A Taste of Ojai Alojai Creations BeCalm of Ojai Chamber on the Mountain Char Man Brand Hot Sauce Dogs Fly Design The Glass Man Professional Window Washing Company GoOjai.com Greyfox Investors Jennifer Keeler, Hair Stylist & Owner at Salon Rise Lorraine Lim Catering Mary Nelson Skincare & Massage Studio
Just by including the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy in your estate plans, you can help protect the beauty of Ojai for generations to come. A bequest is a simple way to support the OVLC in the future while retaining control of your assets during your lifetime. By making the OVLC a beneficiary of your will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy, or financial accounts, you ensure your values will be passed on after you.
Meridian Design Construction Mooney Creative Ojai Quarterly Rowsie Vain Sol Haus Design Tobias Parker, General Contractor
The real beneficiary, of course, is Ojai.
Tonya Peralta Real Estate Services, Inc Watercolors by Patty Van Dyke
Protecting your views, trails, water and wildlife
ovlc.org Page 15
Michael Stevens - Grand East Oak Apts
Scott & Hannah Erickson
Char Man Brand Hot Sauce
John & Harriet Clise
Ruric & Gwen Nye
Scott & Jeri Johnson
Charles & Barbara Jerviss
Karen & Bill Evenden
Ruth Hemming
Shelley Scott
Chelsea Sutula
Sherri Drifka
Cherie Beers
Katherine Holden & Tom Atherton
Scott Bevans & Valerie Dykeman
Shining Spirits
Chris Hacker & Will Thomas
Lanyard, Mary & Hannah Dial
Scott Silver & Jill Greene-Silver
Stefanie & Myron Roth
Clark/Thomas Foundation
Laura & Guy Ring
Susan Gary
Steven & Elaine Miller
Craig Wilson
Lauren Nilsson
Tasha Sween
Stuart & Mary Niebel
Dan & Vicki Breen
Leanne & David Tilmont
Thomas & Nancy Michali
Swanner Physical Therapy
David & Elizabeth Silva
Loren Bouchard
Tim & PJ Norian
Tabula Rasa Bar
David Bonham
Margaret Grossman
Tobias Parker - General Contractor
The Vondriska Family
Diana Syvertson
Martha Groszewski
Ventura Rental Party & Events
Don & Cheree Edwards ~ RE/ MAX Gold Coast Realtors
Mary Thompson & Don Higgins
Tina Pukonen
Matthew Hately
Virginia & Ted McConnell
Doug & Mary Jo McLeod
McDaniel Insurance Services
Vitality Fitness Ojai
Douglas & Angela Parker
Michael & Julie McFadden
William & Sue Gilbreth
Duane Dammeyer & Marty Bonvechio
Michael Shapiro & Louise Sandhaus
William Spellman
Eliana Thacher
Mike & Erika Swimmer
Champions $500+
Euterpe Farms
Nancy Vaniotis
Alan & Jan Rains
Fred & Dana Fleet
Peter & Barbara Bonsignori
ALCO Plumbing
George & Debbie Watson
Peter & Jeanne Tymstra
Friends of the Ojai Valley $1,000+
Allison Binkowski & Alden Broome
Glenda & Darrell Jones
Peter Strauss & Rachel Ticotin
Alan & Carol Saltzman
Robert (BD) & Liz Dautch
Hank Pepper
Phil & Suzanne White
AmazonSmile
Robert Davis
Barnhart & Barnhart Insurance
Island Packers
Amy Schneider
Roger Erickson
Brian & Amy Stark
James Capito & Terri Davis
Phil Moncharsh & Diane Zusman
Ronald & Linda Phillips
Brian & Chris Zeiner
Jane & Steve Murray
Ryan Firestone & Wendy Morales
Brian Stafford
Jim & Barbara Tipton
Randy Banchik & Jannell Greene-Banchik
California Solar Electric
Joan Hurak Welborn
Ron Stark
Bill Brothers & Susie Ault
Carrie Ruscheinsky
Joellen Alflen
Ross & Patty Atkinson
Blake & Susanne Wilson
Michael Taylor Michael Watling Michele Sordi Mike and Kelly Laber Norm & Susan Reccius Pamela Phillips Pat & Larry Hartmann Pat & Steve Edwards Paul E. Niedringhaus Paula Spellman Peter & Cindy Cantle Peter & Debra Wilkens Peter Cambier Peter Passell & Joan Peters Phillips/Bandoli Charitable Fund Ray Castellino & Charlotte Janus Rick & Jennifer* Ridgeway Robert & Katy Zappala
Sarah Otterstrom & Rick Rutherford
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Tom & Rebecca Lowe Tony & Roslyn (Roz) Demaria Troy & Jeri Becker Anonymous
William Tully Anonymous
Anne & Garrett Clifford
Rabobank
Arthur & Judy Vander Bill & Sherry Loehr
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Photo by Tylar Harrison Brent Jacobs Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley Brian Johnson Bruce & Virginia Hibberd Bruce Mason California Resources Corporation Carol Bishop Channel Islands Sportfishing Chevron Humankind Matching Program Chip & Sheryl Lesch Connie Eaton & William Hart Cynthia & Byron Grant
Jerry & Linda Bruckheimer
Mary Ellen Egleston
Susan Foster
Joan Kemper
Meiners Oaks Ace Hardware
Terry & Cindy Wright
Joe Rohde & Mel Malmberg
Michael Newkirk & Olivia Garfield
The Glass Man Professional Window Washing Company, Inc.
Caroline Hawkins*
The Hess Family
Dr. David & Cindy Garber
The Robert M Nutting Family Foundation
El Segundo Brewing Company, LLC
The Walt Disney Company Foundation
Elizabeth Wallace
John & Kathy Broesamle Judith & Donald Diaz Judy Meleliat & Reilly Jensen Julie Rischar Justin Shipp & Sara Masterson Karen Courington & Dan Lukasiewicz Karen Hellmuth & Bob Vandersluis Kay & Jack Chatowski
Michal Mitchell Mike Sullivan & Melissa Bishop Niels & Robin Nyborg Ojai Valley Inn Ojai Valley Lions Club Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company Oliver Wilson & Kaarina Tienhaara
Tom Tamplin Tonya Peralta Real Estate Services, Inc Trent & Kris Greco
Paul Fortune
Tucker & Phil Adams
Philippe & Betsy Caland
West Coast Air Conditioning
Bruce & Marilyn Wallace Foundation
Deven May*
George E. Berg & Gail Topping Gojai Jakob & Marianne Vos Jill & Bill Shanbrom
Dave & Sally Hackel
Kerry Miller Designer/ Builder, Inc.
David & Deborah Junod
Kitty & Johnny Johnston
Phillip Bradley
Donna & Ted Miller
Kristen & Alan Bell
R.A. Atmore & Sons, Inc.
William H. & Mattie Harris Foundation recommended by Louise Heydt
Eric Goode
Lachlan Nutting
REI
Wyatt & Claudia Harris
Evander Schley
Larry Rose & Lisa Larramendy
Rob & Maureen Young
Anonymous
Firestick Pottery
Laughing Dog Ranch LLC
Robert Tallyn & Betsy Bachman
Gay & Kathlyn Hendricks
Law Office of Thomas E. Malley
Roger & Kathryn Wachtell
Gerben & Jill Hoeksma
Linda & Tim Turner
Roger & Pat Essick
Guardians of the Ojai Valley $5,000+
Greyfox Investors LLC
Lisa Smith
Rotary Club of Ojai
Alissa & Rob Russell
Peter K. Noone*
High on Kennels - Fred Presson
Loebl Family Fund
Ruth Lasell & Bob Bonewitz
Allen & Marilyn Camp
Huora L. Williams
Lorraine Lim Catering, Inc
Sandy Buechley
Andrew & Judith Gustafson
Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Intel Corporation
Marcy & Steve Toscher
Sasha & Hanson Gifford
Ann & Harry Oppenheimer
Tom & Esther Wachtell
Janet Jacobs
Margot Griswold
SC&A Insurance Services LLC
Anna Getty
William H. Painter, Jr.*
Jennifer Keeler
Mario & Therese Molina
So Hum Foundation
Barbara Sunderland
Anonymous
Jennifer Kistler
Mary Bergen
Susan Bee
Benjamin & Meredith Wallace
Protecting your views, trails, water and wildlife
Jim & Becky Campbell Kimberly & Mike Robertson Mary M Downer Nathan & Rebecca Wallace Otis & Bettina Chandler Foundation Patagonia Patagonia.com
* Deceased
ovlc.org Page 17
TRAILHEAD HOSTING
Photo by Brendan Cleak We used to estimate the number of visits to our preserves by tallying
do Trailhead Hosting in the future, we will be able to see how preserve
the number of doggy poop bags we had to order each year. This was,
use changes, and likely increases, over time. These data help with
suffice to say, a ruff estimate. For that simple reason, we decided to
planning and budgeting for trail maintenance and when considering
develop the new Trailhead Hosting program and after four hosting days
building new trails.
in 2019, we have a much better idea of how many visits we get, and we learned quite a bit more. On February 9 and August 16 at the Ventura River Preserve, April 24 at the Valley View Preserve, and December 14 at the Ojai Meadows Preserve, volunteers spent 9 hours each day interacting with and counting visitors. One those four days, our volunteers counted 1,153 users (1,006 pedestrians, 35 equestrians, and 112 mountain bikers) not to mention 295 dogs. Over two days, the Ventura River Preserve had a total of 671 visits, while Valley View Preserve had 183 visits in one day, and Ojai Meadows Preserve had 299 visits in one day. Extrapolating this data, we potentially have over 300,000 visits to our preserves in a single year!
Of course, it’s not just how many visits we get, but where and when people are visiting. Riverview Trailhead on the Ventura River Preserve is the busiest trailhead, while the early morning (8-9am) and lunch time (12-1pm), are the busiest times across all of the preserves. Having this type of specific information can help the OVLC in our stewardship of the land, directing our efforts and limited resources to the best time and place as needed. In addition to counting the users, our volunteers provided community outreach by answering visitors’ questions, offering advice on where to go on the preserves, and collecting feedback through optional surveys. According to the majority of our visitors, the most important thing
Quantifying visits to our preserves helps us in grant applications. It also
that the OVLC can do in this valley is to protect more land, and provide
helps us understand the real impact on our trails, and by continuing to
wildlife habitat.
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The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
Ever wonder how people hear about the OVLC? We learned that word of mouth is far and away the number one means by which people find us. To all our visitors, we thank you for promoting the OVLC! Understanding the values of our community helps the OVLC plan for the future, prioritize our work based on community expectations, and overall, helps us be a more supportive and integral part of this community. So, if you stopped by to fill out one of those surveys this past year, thank you for helping to direct land management in this valley! We’ll be doing more Trailhead Hosting in the future, so we hope to see you again, perhaps even as a volunteer host!
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
In the field, in the office, at events, and wherever else we need help—our amazing volunteers put in 3,795 hours last year! We are so grateful for every minute you take to help us conserve Ojai. You make it possible for us to do all that we do and we are excited for another year with all of you! Protecting your views, trails, water and wildlife
ovlc.org Page 19
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 351 Ojai, CA PO Box 1092 • Ojai, CA 93024 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Thank you Patagonia for matching $49,121 for donations made through Patagonia Action Works! If you donated through Patagonia Action Works, and did not receive a thank you note from the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, you may have unselected the top box (see below), and therefore we do not know who you are. Unfortunately, this means we could not properly thank you, nor credit the donation to your name. Please reach out to xena@ovlc.org, if you think this may have happened with your donation. We received 30 “anonymous” donations. If you did indeed want your donation to be anonymous, there is no need to reach out, and we thank you for your support.
Share my contact information with the group receiving this donation. Keep me in the loop with Patagonia Action Works emails.
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The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy