OPEN SPACES
The newsletter of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Roger Essick President
Sandy Buechley Vice President
Martha Groszewski Treasurer
Stefanie Coeler Secretary
Bill Brothers
Fiona Hutton
Phil Moncharsh
Tonya Peralta
Larry Rose
Lu Setnicka
Sarah Sheshunoff
Cari Shore
STAFF
Tom Maloney Executive Director
Tania Parker Deputy Director
Brendan Taylor Director of Field Programs
Dan Pizano Operations Director
Vivon Crawford Restoration Program Director
Adam Morrsion Development Manager
Nathan Wickstrum Communications & Outreach Manager
Christine Gau Land Protection Specialist
Carrie Drevenstedt Development Database Coordinator
Linda Wilkin Preserve Manager
Sophie McLean Native Plant Specialist
Mia Riddle Nursery Manager
Rhett Walker Development Associate
Keith Brooks Assistant Land Steward
Elana Denver Restoration Field Crew
Martin Schenker Restoration Field Crew
Mission: To protect and restore the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley forever.
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE OVLC: OVLC.ORG
FIND US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
Cover photo by Tania Parker
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.
The real beneficiary, of course, is Ojai.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
This June and July have been the two hottest months in the history of weather observation globally. This winter’s floods also provide evidence of more severe climate extremes. In California, each successive year also seems to bring another massive wildland fire that is the largest in history. Any one drought, heat wave, or flood is “the weather” but successive years of extreme weather indicates a changing climate.
In places like the Ojai Valley, there is little a land trust can do to affect global climate as predicted in IPCC General Circulation Models. The effects of humanity from the built environment, transportation, energy production, and animal agriculture are far too ubiquitous for a small land trust to tip the scales in any particular direction. However, at the local and regional level there are specific measures that can help ameliorate the effects of climate change. Rather than focusing on reducing carbon production, these strategies tend to look toward mitigating the effects of climate by fostering adaptation and resilience.
OVLC has adopted a 5-year vision “To lead the Ojai Valley’s response to climate change.” That provocative and ambitious vision immediately elicits questions of what actions that will entail. As a land trust, our first response should look to land acquisition. Using geographic information systems, OVLC has conducted a modeling exercise to expand our acquisition priorities to explicitly include north and northeast facing slopes that are predicted to be the refuge for plants and animals in a hotter, drier California. We have also modeled areas of groundwater recharge and will continue to prioritize stream corridors as top acquisition goals.
Our restoration program will continue OVLC’s leading role in working to eradicate Arundo from the watershed. Ventura County Fire has emerged as a key partner in this effort due to Arundo’s explosive fire behavior. This year also marks the kickoff of “Rewild Ojai” to promote the restoration of native habitat on private lands throughout the valley. Stay tuned for more on this program in the fall.
Importantly, OVLC has also been exploring ways to support innovations in the complex situation with Ojai’s water. Between the City of Ventura’s lawsuit and threatened adjudication of the basin, the focus on groundwater sustainability, and the seeming feast or famine nature of our rainfall, there is potentially an emerging role for OVLC in the conservation of water.
It is important to remember that these initiatives, the preserves, and the trails that have become such an important part of the character of the Ojai Valley are all possible due to the vision and commitment of OVLC’s founders. Two such individuals who served outsized and foundational roles in the early years of OVLC, Ellen Hall and John Broesamle, have recently passed on. For perspective on their enormous contributions OVLC will be honoring their respective legacies in the coming months.
Tom Maloney, Executive Director
Indulge in Under the Open Sky—a locally sourced farm-to-table dinner by Lorraine Lim Catering. Enjoy live music, a full bar, and show your support at our annual paddle raise. As the sun sets, transition into movie magic beneath the stars, featuring a curated selection of films exclusive for Friday night. All attendees will also receive a complimentary ticket to Saturday night’s Mountainfilm on Tour at Ojai Valley School. Join us for this unforgettable experience! This event will sell out. Please purchase your tickets early.
VIRTUAL AUCTION
Join in the fun with our virtual auction from September 8-18. The auction is open to the public (no ticket purchase required) and features a one-week stay in Brittany, France; a tour of Carrizo Plain National Monument led by OVLC’s Executive Director, Tom Maloney; a pizza making workshop with Pinyon Ojai; a personalized wine tasting with Ojai Vineyard; and a whole lot more!
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THE EVENT, OR DONATING TO THE VIRTUAL AUCTION OR RAFFLE?
Visit our website, ovlc.org, or contact Adam Morrison: adam@ovlc.org, (805) 649-6852 x 208
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Lights, camera, conservation! OVLC proudly presents our 9 th annual Mountainfilm on Tour. Dig out your blankets and low-back chairs and join us on the field at Ojai Valley School’s Lower Campus for another fantastic year of films and fun! Experience the beauty of nature, the thrill of adventures, and the power of storytelling as we showcase a selection of films from the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride. Indulge in the festivities with a beer garden sponsored by Topa Topa Brewing Co., wine poured by Stay Wild Ventures, kombucha donated by Revel, food trucks, local vendors, a virtual auction, and a live raffle packed with awesome prizes.
Fiona Hutton & Associates
OJAI VALLEY SCHOOL LOWER CAMPUS SPORTS FIELD
Photo by Olivia Klein
REMEMBERING CONSERVATION CHAMPIONS
JOHN BROESAMLE & ELLEN HALL
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) mourns the loss of two visionary conservation champions, John Broesamle and Ellen Hall, who both passed away this year. Their unwavering dedication and passion forever protecting the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley have left a lasting mark on the Ojai community and the environment they loved so dearly.
Ellen Hall, one of two original founders of OVLC, possessed a visionary spirit that laid the foundation for the organization’s success. Her tireless dedication to environmental conservation was evident throughout her years with the organization, during which she held a multitude of roles. Serving as the Executive Director for a remarkable nine years and as a Board Member for seven years, Ellen played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of OVLC during its formative stages. Notably, she chaired the Restoration Committee, overseeing the creation of ecological restoration plans for the Ojai Meadows Preserve and Ventura River Preserve. Ellen’s leadership was pivotal in transforming OVLC from a mere dream into the thriving entity it is today.
Ellen first encountered Ojai’s opens space in 1980. Her profound connection to the natural beauty of the Ojai Valley is clear in her heartfelt recollections, “Something about the air here makes me feel at home. Taking a deep breath and walking the river bed through the Ventura River Preserve electrifies my senses. The pond with its gliding migratory birds at the Ojai Meadows Preserve does the same. It is a comfort, like being in a familiar motherly embrace.” Ellen’s connection with the land fueled her determination to preserve Ojai’s open spaces. In 1987, Ellen co-founded OVLC, effectively conveying the importance of “Open Space” to the community and securing its future. Today,
her influence has led to the conservation of over 2,300 acres of land, extensive restoration within the Ventura River Watershed, the establishment of 27 miles of trails that are open for free to the public, and the introduction of innovative climate resilient initiatives that are redefining the future of our community.
Beyond OVLC, Ellen’s commitment to environmental causes extended across various organizations throughout the valley. Her leadership roles included positions on the Ojai City Council, where she served as Mayor in the late ‘90s, and as the Youth Commission Coordinator in the early 2000s. She made substantial contributions as the Executive Director of the Ojai Valley Museum, Head of Oak Grove School, and Executive Director of Meditation Mount. Ellen’s impact also extended to co-founding the Besant Meadow Preservation Group and later leading the Ojai Valley Green Coalition as President.
Ellen’s journey into environmental conservation was deeply intertwined with her spiritual connection to nature, and her vision of preserving open spaces for future generations was rooted in her belief in nature’s transformative power and its capacity to shape young minds. Recognizing that nurturing a child’s love for the environment would pave the way for dedicated preservationists, Ellen’s legacy lives on in her own words: “Properly cultivated, a child’s love of nature matures into ecological literacy and we have the next generation of preservationists. What a great legacy we will leave to the children of Ojai if we continue to protect and preserve the open spaces of our extraordinary valley. To me, the land is sacred and we are its caretakers. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is the premiere vehicle for fulfilling the responsibility for this care.” Ellen’s contributions to OVLC were
immeasurable, propelling the organization from a mere dream to a thriving force. Her enduring connection to Ojai’s natural beauty and her commitment to conserving open spaces serve as a guiding light for both OVLC and the community.
John Broesamle’s involvement with OVLC began in the 1990s. His impactful seven-year tenure on the board, spanning from 1997 to 2005, marked a period of transformation. John’s contributions reshaped OVLC’s board structure, transitioning it from a larger assembly to a focused, productive team. His pivotal role in shaping OVLC into a business entity, offering guidance on Ojai Meadows restoration, and hands-on involvement at Cluff Vista Park and Ventura River Preserve were instrumental to the organization’s success today.
“John was always thinking about the greater good,” said current OVLC Board President Roger Essick. “He recognized what a special place Ojai was and he acted on it. He was persistent with an unwillingness to give up. Ojai Meadows Preserve purchases were difficult and he stuck with it. John’s passion and determination will forever exemplify his commitment to OVLC and our community.”
John’s influence in the valley extended far beyond OVLC. Throughout his life, he was always rallying support and advocating for progress within the community. He was recognized for his work throughout his time in Ojai: Ojai Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year (1999), Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Conservation Award (2001), Rotary Ojai Living Treasure (2001), Environmental Defense Center Lifetime Achievement Award (2003), OVN “Best Volunteer of the Ojai Valley” (2012 and 2013),
Announcements from OVLC Open Spaces Fall and Spring Newsletters of 2000 highlighting Hall and Broesamle.
VC Star’s “25 Over 50” award (2014), Ojai Valley Defense Fund James D. Loebl Award for environmental excellence (2018), Los Padres ForestWatch Wilderness Legacy Award (2019), and Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship for service above self (2023).
In 2009, he became the founding president of the Ojai Valley Defense Fund, a community war chest that provides financial support to groups undertaking legal action to protect and sustain the environmental quality of the Ojai Valley for the public benefit.
In the words of former OVLC Board President Jim Jackson, who worked closely with Broesamle, “John understood that progress sometimes means protecting what you have, and in that regard open space, is fundamental to the character of the Ojai Valley. And so my belief, my hope, is that John’s legacy will inspire the Land Conservancy to walk in his footsteps, to dream big, and work hard to add more open space to the OVLC’s already impressive array of preserves.”
While the loss of John Broesamle and Ellen Hall has left a void, their spirit continues to thrive through OVLC. Their unwavering vision, dedication, and tireless efforts have left an everlasting impact on the Ojai Valley. As we honor the legacies of these conservation champions, their selflessness serves as a reminder that true greatness lies in pursuing causes beyond oneself. John and Ellen’s path guides us to continue protecting and restoring the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley forever. Their legacy shapes a greener, brighter future, with OVLC standing as a living testament to their enduring vision and remarkable contributions.
RESTORATION
OVLC’s Ventura River Steelhead Preserve, situated seven miles inland from the Ventura County coast, is a low-density rural residential area surrounded by open space. It encompasses a unique groundwater-dependent ecosystem along the river that has ebbed and flowed with the river’s breath over many centuries. Over the last 100 years, human activities like grazing have deeply influenced the landscape. 28 acres on the preserve are primarily non-native vegetation communities, dominated by yellow starthistle (Centaurea spp.), nonnative grasses (Bromus spp.), and more. Around the edges of this historical grazing are California black walnuts ( Juglans californica), coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia), buckwheats (Eriogonum spp.), and purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) scrub. These native relics of the land are stalled along the edges, waiting in the seed bank, and anticipating a time to recruit into alluvium soil and mix into a diverse ecotone.
To bring a disturbance like fire, is to disrupt the rhythms of the non-native plants (unadapted for fire unlike our natives) in order to bring back conditions that promote the traits of native species. This is to hopefully, with thought of target species physiology and phenology, tip the scale in their favor.
On June 22, 2023, in partnership with the Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association and Ventura County Fire, 28 acres were burned on the Ventura River Steelhead Preserve.
The prescribed burn project had many goals and objectives that pieced together the first prescribed burn for restoration purposes in the county.
The first goal of the burn was to train firefighters, equipping them with hands-on fire experience. Each firefighter played a crucial role in planning, executing, and ensuring the success and safety of the fire.
Moreover, the burn facilitated a collaboration between the UC Cooperative Extension and the Ventura County Resource Conservation District to research three consecutive burns and the effect of subsequent yearly seedings on the target species (yellow starthistle). Research plots were divided into burned, unburned, seeded, and unseeded, and paired with in-depth vegetation surveys, biomass sampling, weather sampling, fire intensity and duration readings, and soil seed bank sampling. All of these factors are building an understanding of the characteristics of this burn. Even the day of the burn, when commotion and heat was at its peak, our colleagues were collecting samples of the vegetation.
Insight into these factors will aid us in understanding how this burn will affect the plant populations and, in turn, the land. Most importantly, research expands our reach in empowering future burns.
by
Photo
Wade Sedgwick
In a single day, all 28 acres were burned, in addition to another 17 acres on our neighbor’s land. The dried grass carried the fire through each section, not entirely encompassing the star thistle, but girdling it with heat. It was loud; the wetter fuels sizzled and popped, while heat radiated. The land burned black in an instant of light and smoke, and it carried further and further, until it reached the firefighters’ drawn lines and anchors. The yellowed uniforms dotted the edges of the burn like a string of lights. They did not face the fire, but looked outward into the bordering oak woodlands.
Fire is a tool for restoration that is an alternative to chemical or other physical removal. Because it is a pivotal component to our local ecosystems, the habitat’s response to fire can be tremendous. Our community has seen this happen, from resurrecting Ceanothus burls, hillsides of colored fire-chasing forbs, or even now, years after the Thomas Fire, a diverse succession of perennials and annuals. Fire is a component to our land that adds heterogeneity and complexity. As landowners, we are constantly learning the intersection between human and nature, and how to blur that line.
The land sits black at the moment, with lined rectangles of unburned research plots.
Now, planning for seeding, we wait for rain.
Sophie McLean, Native Plant Specialist
OVLC Native Plant Specialist, Sophie McLean on the scene during the prescribed burn that occurred on June 22. The heat was on!
STAFF UPDATES
This season, our staff is going through a transition, welcoming new faces and saying goodbye to others. Coraylln Moss, a graduated senior at Nordoff High School, is now leaving her position at OVLC after 3 years as a nursery intern. Her work was outstanding. She was our quickest transplanter, and always had a good song to share while working. By the end of her time at OVLC, she knew every native plant in the nursery and where they belonged in their natural environment. It is clear she has a deep relationship with the ecosystems around her.
Wyatt McLean, Nursery Assistant, has left after one year of working in the nursery to pursue a deeper role with habitat restoration at Channel Islands Restoration. He was a strong keel for the nursery, in which he had a friendship with every plant, caring for them with undivided attention. Wyatt helped instill new practices and systems that help the nursery produce twice what it supported a year before.
In addition to promotions, we are thrilled to introduce Mia Riddle as our new Nursery Manager and Carrie Drevenstedt as Development Database Coordinator. Additionally, we welcome two new Restoration Field Crew, Elana Denver and Martin Schenker, and two high school Nursery Interns, Celeste Ayala and Laurence Cockrell.
As we navigate through these changes, we remain grateful for the growth each season brings, evolving and enriching the development of our staff and the organization as a whole.
We are thrilled to announce that Linda Wilkin has been promoted to Preserve Manager. In her new role, Linda will continue to be actively present on the land, engaging with preserve users and maintaining trails and infrastructure. Additionally, she will be assuming new responsibilities. As the organization moves into the long-term care of our previous oak woodland restoration sites throughout the valley, Linda will take on the primary responsibility of stewarding these sites as the trees mature and eventually become self-sustaining.
Furthermore, Linda has made remarkable strides in expanding our volunteer program over the past three years. Now, she will be taking on even more significant responsibilities, focusing on training and educating volunteers to enhance their skills and capabilities. If you encounter Linda on the preserves, don’t forget to congratulate her on this well-deserved promotion!
Clockwise from top left: Wyatt McLean, Coraylln Moss, Martin Schenker, Celeste Ayala, Sophie McLean, Laurence Cockrell, Elana Denver
LINDA WILKIN PROMOTED TO PRESERVE MANAGER
ADAM MORRISON PROMOTED TO DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Adam Morrison has been promoted to Development Manager. Adam’s impact is undeniable. Having demonstrated exceptional leadership as Volunteer and Events Coordinator, he spearheaded the successful return of All About Ojai and OVLC’s docent program, while significantly expanding our volunteer network. In his new role, Adam will continue to leverage his expertise in event coordination and volunteer management while playing a pivotal part in enhancing OVLC’s giving capacity and driving strategic growth. With a proven record of accomplishments and a deep understanding of our mission, Adam’s promotion underscores his integral role OVLC’s future success. Quail yeah!
WELCOME MIA RIDDLE, OVLC’S NEW NURSERY MANAGER
Mia Riddle is a California native whose curiosity has led her all over the state, to Brooklyn, and back again. After working in nonprofits, music, and web design, she was bitten by the farming bug and spent ten years working in sustainable agriculture. She moved to Ojai to be closer to family, where the familiar flora of the region rekindled a passion for native plants. This led to studies in ecological restoration and completion of a Graduate Certificate in Natural Resource Management. She is looking forward to expanding the native plant nursery production at the OVLC. You can find her biking around the preserves with her rambunctious, flower-loving three year old.
WELCOME CARRIE DREVENSTEDT, DATABASE COORDINATOR
Living in California for 15 years, Carrie loves being so close to both the ocean and mountains. With a Master’s degree in Neuroscience and her own research firm, she still felt like something was missing. A longtime fan of OVLC, the opportunity to join the staff gave the her chance to join an organization she believes in and meet others in the community with shared goals. She loves to explore the outdoors as much as possible with her husband, camping, hiking, watching wildlife (especially whales), and visiting state and national parks. An ANFT certified Forest Therapy guide, you might find her wandering the trails and hugging a tree or two. We are as thrilled as she is to have her as a new member of the team!
RHETT WALKER TRANSITIONS TO DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
BUT HE’S STILL RHETT STORATION IN OUR HEARTS!
Rhett Walker, a vital member of our Restoration Field Crew, is now stepping into the role of Development Associate. Leveraging his restoration experience, Rhett will focus on grant reporting, volunteer coordination, and event assistance. Notably, he’s currently driving the donation process for this year’s Mountainfilm on Tour virtual auction. We’re excited for Rhett as he embarks on his next chapter at OVLC. The man has a sure-fire passion for working with volunteers, and we have no doubt that our volunteers are going to get the attention they deserve under Rhett’s reign.
STEWARDSHIP
BALANCING CONSERVATION AND RECREATION
Stewarding the Ventura River is a delicate balancing act: we must protect the natural environment while also ensuring that people can enjoy it. The OVLC’s mission is to protect and restore the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley forever. A crucial part of achieving that mission is connecting people with the land, including the Ventura River.
Without question, the new swimming hole on the Ventura River Preserve is the number one connection point during these sweltering summer months. Over just a few hours on Memorial Day afternoon, we had over 450 people head out to the river, and that was an overcast May afternoon. In the months since, the number of daily users hitting the river to cool down as temperatures heat up has only gone up.
Having so many people use the swimming hole is beneficial in raising awareness about our conservation efforts and, ideally, motivating them to support our ongoing work. However, this surge of visitors is also taking a toll on the preserve and the river. While the OVLC is pleased to see people gathering around the swimming hole on the riverbanks, there’s a growing trend of visitors expanding outward in search of space and privacy. This expansion is detrimental to the environment as it compacts the soil and hinders vegetation from regrowth.
In the river itself, dams are popping up. It’s from a desire to make the swimming hole deeper and wider, but the dam present at the swimming hole now is starting to rival Matilija Dam in size! To stop the water requires a lot of rock, which means more meandering around the banks of the river, trampling more ground. While one individual rock dam of that size may not have appreciable effect on the river or its habitat, dozens of rock dams of that size do start to have a cumulative effect. They can alter where the river flows, slowing the water down so much that it starts to get heated by the sun altering this fragile and vital ecosystem. Unfortunately, as people observe this behavior, more dams are likely to emerge.
Rock dams are not the only thing we see popping up at the swimming hole. Seemingly every time we take down a rope swing over the swimming hole, a new one returns within a day. If you spot a rope swing over the swimming hole, take a moment to observe the oak tree it is dangling from. Notice how shallow the roots of that oak tree are, clinging precariously to the rock outcrop. Look at how weathered the branch of the oak tree is where the rope is attached. Consider the inevitable fate of either that branch or perhaps the entire oak tree due to repeated swinging. Nothing ruins a swimming hole like a massive tree
plunged into it. So, not only should you protect the surrounding natural resources, but also ensure your own ongoing enjoyment of the swimming hole by refraining from using any rope swings.
Balance—that’s the goal. Being a good steward of the land means balancing all of the various wants and needs of the land and the people who use it. You can act as a good steward yourself if you balance your desire to recreate at a fun and beautiful spot, plus the desire of others to do the same, together with the needs of the surrounding natural ecosystem.
Protect the Ventura River Preserve by concentrating your use of the river at the swimming hole only. Keep in mind that this may lead to overcrowding at the swimming hole, so please be considerate of others and refrain from bringing elaborate picnic setups, such as grills, tents, and chairs. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the water with rafts and floaties, allowing everyone to enjoy the space comfortably. Also, remember that you are only a visitor to the river, while wildlife calls it home. Minimize your impact by not building rock dams—instead, help us remove them. Enjoy the swimming hole as it is a precious gift from the river, but remember to share that gift with others today and tomorrow.
Brendan Taylor, Director of Field Programs
Above and left: In July, students from Ojai Valley School dedicated their time to volunteer with OVLC, helping to clean up trash and remove rock dams at the swimming hole. Below: Matilija Dam also slows and warms water, but definitely do not go swimming here.
VOLUNTEER PROFILE
MARK SILBERNAGEL — OVLC STEWARDSHIP CREW LEAD
Mark Silbernagel started volunteering with OVLC in 2019. Over the past five years, he has logged more than 450 hours of volunteer work across an array of projects including Allan Jacobs Trail, engineering nursery upgrades, and most recently leading restoration projects! We are proud to highlight Mark’s contributions to the OVLC, in an interview he had with Preserve Manager, Linda Wilkin.
Hello, Mark. Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?
I was a government engineer for the Navy and Army for 32 years, and I worked on water treatment systems throughout my entire career, primarily focusing on desalination systems and operating a seawater desalination test facility. I moved to Ojai because my wife, Margaret, grew up here. When her parents decided to sell their house and move to Oregon, we ended up buying their home in 1998. My hobbies include gardening, backpacking, cooking, hiking, and volunteering for different organizations. Volunteering has become a kind of hobby for me now, and I genuinely enjoy doing it. Lately, many of my backpacking trips have been centered around volunteer work trips. Most of these trips take place in the Los Padres National Forest. I spend a lot of time volunteering with OVLC.
This past year, we collaborated to establish the Volunteer Crew Lead Program. Could you share your experience with leading projects?
Since around mid-March, we have completed approximately twelve projects on the Ojai Meadows Preserve. However, even before that time, I had hinted to you and Brendan Taylor that I was interested in leading projects beyond trail work. When you proposed the idea of volunteers taking charge of restoration work, I was immediately intrigued. For me, there is more intrinsic value in such initiatives, and I find it immensely rewarding.
The Ojai Meadows Preserve holds tremendous potential, particularly in offering accessibility to the public from all sides. Its relatively flat terrain makes it suitable for families with young children, as well as elderly individuals. Ensuring it becomes the most accessible preserve for people of all abilities is of great importance to me. It’s an invaluable asset within our community. I anticipate witnessing its growth and ongoing restoration efforts. I am well aware that restoration at the meadows is a long-term endeavor, and it will take time for things to flourish. If you observe the plantings within the fenced off restoration zones, you can see
the success of years of hard work. Yet, it still needs us to get in there and control invasive plants. It’s a never-ending thing when you have several water runoff inputs feeding into the meadows. I would like to target zones inside the fenced off restoration area to focus on controlling the invasive weeds. Even if it involves weed whacking, solarizing, and replanting.
You made a great point about inactive restoration sites needing ongoing care. Even if a parcel seems fully restored, human impact and external factors like stormwater can introduce invasive species. Climate change can also affect plants and their success rates, so we may need to replant. The volunteer program you helped to create this past year will help to ensure proactive monitoring and care for all sites.
You’ve worked extensively on nursery upgrades with Sophie McLean, our Native Plant Specialist. Can you tell me a little about that project?
About two years ago, OVLC decided to pursue expanding the nursery. I volunteered to handle the irrigation system. We devised a simple plan on a limited budget that involved volunteer help. Thankfully, funding from donors became available, allowing us to design a more professional system with solar and electrical work done by licensed contractors. I love doing work in the nursery; helping with propagations or hanging shade cloth. The first time I got involved was with the pump house. There was some problem
with it (haha). Troubleshooting was right up my alley. It’s super cool working in the nursery. There’s so much practical experience and knowledge to be gained working with a professional botanist like Sophie. She really knows her stuff and talks ten levels above my head when it comes to plants.
Speaking of plants, as a Volunteer Crew Lead, can you tell me about your upcoming project involving red maids (Calandrinia menziesii ) and solarization?
Yes, of course! After doing about ten sessions or more of weed whacking with volunteers, it was starting to feel like, “the progress doesn’t feel as immediate” and it can be repetitive. Recently, I took a Climate Stewards Course that got me thinking about the evolution of projects. One idea was that to have volunteers involved in the entire restoration process by taking a degraded site all the way through to plantings. Sophie recommended that I plot out a test zone and use red maids (Calandrinia menziesii ) for seed banking as my first project.
Can you explain what solarization does and what is the goal of the project?
You are basically trying to clear the land, get it down to bare soil, cover it with a special plastic, and get it as close to the surface as possible, sometimes by weighing it down. You want wet soil, which conducts heat much better than dry soil, to reach a high enough temperature to kill off roots and seeds of invasive species. They are degraded by fungal action because you’ve got high temperatures and moisture. You need to get the soil temp to around 110 degrees for a period of four to six weeks. Once this happens, the plot area will be ready for seeding and planting before the winter rain. The goal here is to plant a single species of red maids to develop a seed bulk that we can use in other restoration zones. I’m excited to see the results.
What gives you hope about projects at the meadows?
Taking things one step at a time, from land preparation through planting and maintenance, gives me hope. The idea of small bites and proper observation allows us to address the needs effectively. Additionally, having funding for larger projects ensures we can complete them to the fullest extent.
I think evolving and adapting to what works for each given site is important. I feel that too often in preserve management it can be easy to have a fixed mindset, where you use one method and want to stick to it. That’s not always the most productive or successful way to manage a site. The other thing with stewardship and restoration is there are so many variables: slope, shade, water flux, soil, current state of degradation. In Ojai, there are many different microclimates and every season is different. It’s
an evolving science and I am excited for the future as it continues to evolve.
Have you learned anything new or surprising while leading volunteer events?
Starting it early in life would have been ideal, ha! Nevertheless, I began before retiring. For me, it doesn’t feel like work; it’s more like recreation. Being outdoors with friendly people, observing nature, and being surrounded by beauty…it is akin to taking a hike. I don’t see it as volunteer work but rather as enjoyable time spent with others. And regardless of the activity, I always leave feeling good. In the past, I might have thought I lacked time for volunteering, but now I understand that it’s worth making the time for. I do it for me, the environment, and our community.
Mark, thank you again for taking the time to speak with me today. It has been such a pleasure getting to work with you. I am so excited to continue projects with you. I encourage everyone to come out and volunteer with you if they are at all interested in stewardship and California native plants! We appreciate you and all your dedication to keeping our preserves beautiful.
2023 FISCAL YEAR
ANNUAL REPORT
Fiscal year 2023 (July 2022-June 2023) can be best summarized as a year of growth and planning. Early in the year we completed our new five-year strategic plan, that can be found on our website. Refining the organization’s mission: To protect and restore the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley, forever; and putting forward a new vision: To lead the Ojai Valley’s response to climate change. The strategic plan lays out the strategies and the role for the organization to help secure a more resilient future for our valley.
One of these strategies is to focus on protecting our waterways. This year the OVLC protected a 9.55-acre parcel located between the Confluence Preserve and San Antonio Creek Preserve. OVLC views this as a new piece of the San Antonio Creek Preserve. This strategic purchase not only solidifies current conservation efforts, but also sets the stage for potential future acquisitions along the creek. Restoration and protection of the Ojai Valley’s creeks and rivers are important nature-based steps to enhance the valley’s resilience to the changing climate.
A powerful indicator of our changing climate is the incredible storms we experienced this winter. The January storms turned the Ventura River and its tributaries into raging torrents that took down everything in their path, including mature trees, and sent boulders rumbling down the flood plains. It was a humbling display of nature’s strength. The destruction to the trail system was extensive, but the community came out in force and helped us raise over $200,000 to repair the trail damage in our most successful spring campaign to date—the Give or Get Muddy Challenge. A record setting 6,000 volunteer hours were logged this year and
every penny raised was spent on the trails. Thanks to the efforts of our community the trails are in better shape than before. We are humbled by the community’s generosity and support.
Since the purchase of the Ojai Meadows Preserve, OVLC has pursued restoration in the valley along with protecting our special places. Adding “restore” to our mission signifies the importance of this work that for many years happened quietly in the background. Following on the heels of a successful year raising nearly a million dollars for restoration in the valley last year, Restoration Program Director Vivon Crawford raised an additional $1,656,459 for restoration to be spent over the next several years. Roughly a million dollars of this will be dedicated to our streams and rivers for planning and permitting for an “Arundo free” watershed, along with seed funds for removal and restoration.
In addition to Arundo removal, restoration funds will continue to be dedicated to restoring oaks to our valley, supporting the soon to be launched Rewild Ojai program, expanding our native plant nursery infrastructure and staff, and restoration work on private lands funded by land owners.
Fiscal year 2024 is in full swing already. We look forward to kicking off the year with Mountainfilm on Tour and the announcement of several big projects to come. A heartfelt thank you to the long list of donors in the following pages for your support and dedication to the OVLC and helping make it our most successful year yet!
The final fiscal year numbers are currently being prepared by the auditors. The final report will be posted at ovlc.org/financials when it is completed.
THANK YOU
TO OUR FISCAL YEAR^ 2023 DONORS
^ FY 2023: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
* Deceased
Donors $99 and Under
Adam & Kate
Morrison
Adrienne & Christopher Stephens
Aja Preliasco
Alan & Jazmin
Charlesworth
Alan Braff
Alison AnderssonFrey& Kent
Andersson
Allan & Janis
Parkhurst
Amanda Clark
Amy Agudo
Amy McGovern
Anamaria Schmid
Andrew & Carmen Seligman
Andrew Johnson
Anita C. Cramm
Ann Gartrell
Ann James
Anna Thomas
Annat Provo
Anne Bruenn
Annette Landreau
Anthony Wayne
April Armstrong
April Theriault & Ken Eros
Arnold Friedman & Jan Decker
Audrey Bueno
Barbara McElfresh
Barbara Poitras
Barbara Rose
Barbara Weaver
Ben Buttner
Bernard Martin
Betsy Fields
Betsy Held
Bettyanne Sessing
Beverly Spurgeon
Bill Thatcher
Bob & Heather
Sanders
Bob & Judy Billett
Bob Grove
Bonnalynn Dean
Boston Scientific
Brian McColgan
Brian Stafford
Brittany Blackwell
Bruce Hanson
Cameron Fee
Caren Olsen
Carl Olmstead
Carol & David Castanon
Carol Cohen
Carol Johnson
Carol Shaw Sutton
Carol Vesecky
Carolee Tibbitts
Carolyn Emmons
Cassie Jones & Lewis Enstedt
Catherine Halley
Catherine Lee
Catherine Wilcox
Cathy Moon
Chad Ress & Stephanie Washburn
Charlene Spretnak
Chip Paulson
Chloe Delafield
Chris Fabian & Kris Griswold
Christina & Steven Kennedy
Christina Colombo
Christina Pages
Christopher & Chitra King
Christopher Bates & Sandra Torres
Christopher Davies
Christopher O’Donnell
Chuck & Eleanora Burright
Ciara Lowery
Cindy Hansen
Claudia & Drew Lurie
Clinton & Eileen Vocke
Coco LaForge
Colin Weinberg
Craig Michels
Cynthia Grier & Jon Cotham
Dai Leon
Dale Hanson
Dana Stroh
Daren Magee
Darian & Peter Dragge
Das Optics
David & Amy Bransky
David & Monika Clemens
David LeGrand
David Odorisio
Deb Kraus
Debbie & Frank Parisi
Deborah & Phillip Woodall
Deborah & Richard Waxberg
Deborah Whorf
Dee Reid & Jeff Starkweather
Del & Sharon Garst
Denise Thomas
Diana Blanchard
Diane Rosenblum
Diann Karnitsky
Don & Carrie Sanders
Don & Colleen Cutler
Don & Sue Reed
Donald Beese
Donna Baumann
Donna Freiermuth
Dorte Bistrup
Doug & Moira Volpi
Dr. Karen Sama
& James Logan
Drew & Kris Mashburn
Dyan Berk
Dylan Harper
Ed & Diane Colby
Elena Rios
Elizabeth & Noel Stookey
Elizabeth & Wayne Ogden
Elizabeth Augusta
Elizabeth Clarke
Ellen Bain
Emily Duncan
Emily Winfrey
Erin Looker
Eva Rueter
Evert & Joanie
Nygren
Fernando Negrete
Fred Fisher & Jennie Prebor
Gabriel Arquilevich
Gabriela Ceseña
Gail Cooley
Gail Smith
Gary & Dorothy
Hitch
Gary & Linda Gartrell
Gavin Garrison
Gayla Swann
Gayle Caldwell
Gloria & Jon Swift
Greg & Mary Wood
Guillermo Castro
Guy Grether
Harmony Wade-Hak
Harry Waterson
Heath Perry
Heather Grant
Heather Meyer
Heidi Kindberg Goss
I. Christopher
Imogen Daly
Jack Gerard
Jacob Duran
Jadona Collier
Jake & Sandi Stub
James & Camilla
Becket
James & Wendy Osher
James Clelland
Jan & Marc Key
Jan Worsham
Jared Ward
Jaspa
Jay & Nancy Fortman
Jean-Ray Tippo
Jeanette Robinson
Jeff & Theresa Ferguson
Jeffrey Cunningham
Jena Harris
Jennifer &
Richard Niles
Jennifer Knaus
Jennifer Moran
Jerry Millstein
& Jill Penkus
Jessica Martinez
Jill Gomes
Jim & Lisa Greenway
Jim Parker
Jimmy Chorng
Jo Ann Monak
Joan & Willis Allen
Joanie Sherfey
Joanne & Neil Quinn
Jody & Carl Cooper
Joel Fithian
John & Lisa Boyd
John Aufderheide
John Biggs
John Hankins
John Horne
John Krist
Jon Seskevich
Jonathan Krier
Jonathan Reinbold
Joseph Fosco
Joy Atrops-Kimura & Greg Kimura
Joyce McCarthy
Judy & PoultneyDavid
Judy Mize
Judy Piazza
Julia Domenech
Julie Warner
Justin & Sara Shipp
Justin Pennington
Kai Ewert
Karen & Craig Harris
Karen Ciabattoni
Karen Hesli
Karen Kilpatrick
Karen Traudt
Kat Howell
Kate Wilson
Katherine Crook
Kathleen & Raul Kottler
Kathleen & Wayne Morris
Kathryn Le Grice
Kathy & Dick Sebek
Kathy Bremer
Kayla Hanson
Keith & Ana Jewett
Keith Chancey
Kelley MartinSwedlow
Kelli Loughman
Kendra Yoes
Kimberly Fisher
Kit Stolz
Krista Bloom
Kristina & Eric Vallen
Kristine Phoenix-Artinian
Kylie Foo
Lana Rasmussen
Lanny & Rondia
Kaufer
Larry & Elizabeth Memel
Larry & SteingoldJoyce
Larry & Judith Beckett
Laura Gruenther & Russell Crotty
Lauraine Gibbons
Laurent H. Daigle
Laurie Cornell
Laurie Hope
Laurie Lerner
Lee & Katherine Rosenboom
Leslie Burns
Liana Beauregard
Liesel & Craig Rigsby
Lily Wood
Linda Bogart
Linnea Hall
Lisa Dodge
Lisa Martel
Liz Haley
Lori Bates
Lori Hamor
Lorraine West
Lucille Elrod
Lucy Bellwood
Lucy Capuano
Lynn Dorgan
Lynne Doherty & Helen Allen
Maggie Pfeffer
Marcia Millard
Margaret Jones
Margot & Rich Blacker
Maria & Jon Parisen
Maria Mignogna
Marilyn K. Whitford
Mark Fox
Mark Wieneke
Martha Collins
Mary & Greg Iler
Mary & Les Baker
Mary Jane McCall
Mary Looby
Mary Pembroke
Perlin & David Perlin
Mary Vanrynsoever
Matt Taylor
Matthew & Ann Inman
Mattie Gadsby
Megan Hooker
Megan Kenney
Melanie Berner & Seth Boyd
Melissa Olsen
Mia Riddle
Michael & Terri
Imwalle
Michael Boggs
Michael Marietta
Michele Murdoch & Paul DelSignore
Michelle Cassel
Michelle Rosenblum
Michelle Sherman
Michelle Thorn
Mike & Carol Hall-Mounsey
Mikki & Stan Coburn
Mister Softee of Southern California
Mona Zaidi
Monica Erdle-Delorme
Nancy Aguilar
Nancy Clark
Nancy Currey
Nancy Maxson
Natalie Gray
Nate & Lindsey Yeager
Nathan Burns-Sprung
Nature and Intent
Nicholas Porter
Nicole Boch-Bui
Oath Inc.
Ojai Blooms
Outsiders LLC
Pam Henderson
Patricia Einstein
Patricia Lunetta
Patrick Hartman
Paul Lepiane
Paul Rodriguez
Paul Wah
Peggy & Dennis
Wood
Pete Gachot
Peter & Heidi
DiCapua
Peter & FormosaSally
Peter Meertens
Peter Selby
Philip Fickling
Pippa Baker-Rabe
Pradeep Dhillon
R.A. & A.P. Bernhoft
Ramsay & Elise Rayner
Rebecca Raskin
Rebecca Schol
Rheina Rogart
Rhiannon Kingston
Rhonda Richey
Rich Reid
Richard Barry
Richard Hiltner
Richard Parsons
Rick Diaz
Rick Kaylor
Rita Batch
Robert* & Amy Dennis
Robert Hartmann & Mel Welsh
Robert Wagner
Roberta A Delgado
Robin Wallace
Rodney & Vicki
Thompson
Roger & Susan Dickens
Rose C. Boggs
Rosemary Payne
Ruby Perez-Reyes
Russell Enriquez
Ruth & James
Cooper
Sage Whipple
Sallie G. Reynolds
Sally Green
Sally True
Samantha Dowdall-Green & Nathan Dowdall
Sanders Marvin
Sara Hamel
Sarah & Nicholas Ferranti
Sarah Johnson
Sarah Raskin
Sarah Trudeau
Scott & Brittany Denton
Serena Tobias
Seth Horton
Shannon Finch
Sharlee Carper
Shauna Hermes
Shaunna & John Stith
Sheila McCue
Slow Tech Labs
Stacey McDermottMiller
Stacey Platt
Stanley Livingston
Stephanie Beckmann
Stephanie Steger
Stephen Adams
Stephen Walker
Stephnie Wald
Steve & Debi Carr
Stuart & Kyle Crowner
Susan Capper
Susan Coulter & Beryl Schwartz
Susan Cowlishaw
Susan Curran White
Susan Smartt
Susan Speer
Susan Sudbury
Susan Yarnell
Susie & TomlinsonAnthony
Suzanne & Savanna Soule
Tammy & BaughmanKen
Tee Smith
Teradyne
Teri Gunnell
The Burroughs
The Peaceful Pup
Theresa & Kevin Hartigan
Theresa Mendoza
Thomas Harper
Tia & Pat Marshall
Tina Morrison
Tom & Sue Blaine
Tom Davis
Tom Rambo
Tommy Tatham
Tongzhou Wang
Tony Sturgeon
Trent Holden
Trina Wyatt
Tyler Barr
Vinny Mauro
Virginia Souza
Vivienne Moody & Yacov Noy
Wayne Terry
Wendy McCobb
William & Wendi Knox
William Girvetz
Xena Grossman, Juan Sanchez & Sierra Sanchez-Grossman
Zoerita & Clark Bowers
Sustaining Supporters
$100+
Aaron Kreisberg
Adam Blackman
Agilent
Alex Johnson
Alisa Varney
Allan & Carol Gross
Allen Vail
Allison & Christopher Davis
Allyn Wilde & Kathy Leary-Wilde
Amanda Coplan
Amelia Rose
Simpson
Amgen Inc.
Andrea Epinger
Andrea Haffner
Andrew & Sharon Engel
Andrew Rosch
Andrew, Elisabeth & Remy Ford
Ann & Neil Havlik
Ann Framson
Anne & Chad Carper
Anne & David Brown
Anne Kaplan
Anne Kellenberger
Anne Laval
Anne Richardson & Tom & Benjamin Bryant
Anne Ricketts
Anthony & Kathan Glassman
Anthony Boyd
Anthony Ferguson
Anthoula
Randopoulos
Austin Harris
Avery Gregory
Aya Kudrow
Barbara & Charlie Snyder
Barbara Bowman & Sol de la
Torre Bueno
Barbara Dean
Barbara Feild
Barry & Donna Rabe
Bernie Reutemann
Bert & Lanae
Carter
Bert Herrera
Beth Dorenkamp
Beth L. Wickstrum
Beth Lane
Beverley Sharpe & Gordon Richard
Gibbons
Bill & Renate Funk
Bob Kemper
Bonnie Bartling
Bonnie LaForge
Bonnie Sessions
Brad & Jeanette Morrice
Bram Sercu
Brent Douglass
Bret Nighman
Brett & Denise Kantrowitz
Brian & Blossom Pidduck
Brian & Marie Haase
Brook Montagna
Bruce & Marie Botnick
Bruce Stenslie & Julie
Tumamait-Stenslie
Callie Little
Cara Seymour
Carol Peterson & Curt Mossestad
Carol Shore
Caroline Cheney
Carrie & Greg Drevenstedt
Carrie Ruscheinsky
Caryn & Charlie Bosson
Cathi & James Nye
Charles & Jo Spence
Charles Crofoot
Cheryl & Mason
Cooper
Chris & Auriel Entrekin
Chris & Mark Marmes
Chris Brock
Christine Steiner
Christine White
Chuck Journey
Chuck Moore
Cindy & Lynn Mullins
Cindy Frings
Cindy Rowe
Claire & David Paulson
Clyde Blair
Constance Cornell
Craig Aitken
Cristina Lucas
Dale Cundiff
Dalius Gedgaudas
Dan Walsh
Dan Whelan
Danny Comden
Darla Brown & Scott Immergut
David & Rebecca Wilson
David & Yoshiko Nowicki
David Cook
David Goldstein
David Kamm
David Mayer & Jackie Hirshfeld
David Wheaton
David Yardas
Dean Hazard
Deborah & Wayne Pendrey
Debra Eve & David Leggett
Debra Wilson & Gary Heuer
Deepa Pulipati
Denise Callahan
Diana Feinberg
Dirk Farner & Susan Bloom
Dodge Mallare & Danielle Brinkman
Don Brusselars
Donald Rodrigues
Earl Wakelee
Edie Lambert
Elaine Enns &
Ched Myers
Elaine Reasor
Eleanor Crilly
Elizabeth & Bill
Tallakson
Elizabeth Mc Mahan
Elizabeth Rickard Shah
Emma White
Eric Dilks
Eric Dyson
Eric Humel & Alise Echele
Erik Fraki
Erin van Otterloo
Ernie Roide
Evan Rapoport
Frances Fitting
Frank Gallegas
Fred Chase & Martha Moran
G. Scott Miller
Gaddis
Construction
Gali Hagel
Ganea & Ahde Lahti
Gary & Bulla-RichardsTheresa
Gerri Becker
Gerry & Beverly Ching
Gillian McManus
Gios Tacos
Grace Lin
Greg & GambleDarcy
Greg & Martha Lepine
Gregory Rosston
Gwendolyn Alley & Marshall Sheridan
Hank Garcia
Hayley Marcus
Heather & Michael Holden
Heather Teufel
Heidi & Austin
McElvaney
Helene & John Vachet
Howard Dubin
Hunter Bowen
Intuit Foundation
Isla Claire Smith
James Frew
James Norton
James Sweet
James Tudor
Jane & Mark Weil
Janelle Werdesheim
Janice & Rob
Hastie
Janice Ertman
Janis Emhardt
Jean Meckauer
Jean Robinson
Jeanette & Joel Berkovitz
Jeffrey Schredder
Jen Muller
Jennie Olsen
Jennifer & Gordon Lubold
Jennifer Dumas
Jennifer Krieger
Jennifer Pedreira & Tom Widders
Jennifer Wilk
Jeremy Kottler
Jerri Smith
Jerry & Kerry Holden
Jill & Chris Borgeson
Jill Cohen
Jill Savala
Jim & HalversonRobyn
Jim & Sharon Carleton
Jim Stoecker
Jo-Anne & Harold Guy
Joel Fox
John & Andrea Nelson
John & Fran Pavelko
John & Joan Fauvre
John & Kelly van Houten
John & Laurie Bodine
John & Linda Edison
John Chisholm
John Deere
John Town
Jon Hill
Jon Kindberg
Jonathan & Linda Lambert
Julia Pyper
Julie & Bo Manson
Julie Hahn
Juliet Henderson & Stephanie Thomas Juniper Dwight
Kaiser Permanente
Kara & Jeff Hooper
Kara RalstonPartridge & Darrell Ralston
Karen Grey
Karen
Sgroi-Proffitt
Karen Wilson & Caroline Bernard
Karin & David Niles
Karin Quimby & Jo Ann Block
Kate & Arthur Kilmurray
Kate Holt
Katherine Regester
Katherine & David* Willis
Kathi & Mark Connally
Kathleen Baushke
Kathleen Richards
Kathryn Scheinert
Kathy Nolan
Kay Renius
Kelli & Shane Butler
Kelli Stam
Ken Leandro
Kenley Neufeld & Leslie Davis
Kerri Climer
Kerry Daniel
Kevin Lively
Kevin Reed & Cathleen Lynch
Khaled & Sheryl Al-Awar
Kim & Steven Rapholz
Kim & Troy Hardcastle
Kim McLin
Krystina Okaly
Laura Crary
Interior Design
Laura Denne
Laurel Lary
Laurie Berger
Laurie Edgcomb
Law Office of Robert Long
Ulrich Brugger
Valerie Curtis
Vanessa Mowell
Vicky Clarke & Jack Scranton
Victoria Matthews
Sezina Saballett
Vinitha Beltran
Aryna Swope & Phil Caruthers
Ashley & Bryan Wilson
Ashley & John
Paul Doran
Ashley Berry
Audrey Kwast
Cathie Ferro
Cathy Diorio
Celeste Gabriele
Chakra Earthsong
Charlene & Ken Hartenstein
Doug & Mary Levee
Douglas La Barre & Dulanie Ellis
Douglas Schmalenberger
Dr. David White
Drew Ferrie
Jackie Francis
James & Dorothy Combs
James & Gabriele
Lashly
James & Tina Little
James Davis
Josh & Zoe Loeb
Joshua Rosenberg & Sarah Jacobs
Judi Morningstar & Alberto Kywi
Judith Fish
Judy Oberlander & Reynold Akison
Lee Ann Dawson
Lesley Laine
Lincoln & Sheila Anderson
Lind Carr
Linda & Boris Chaloupsky
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTE ASTOUNDING 6,113 HOURS THIS YEAR!
In the wake of the extraordinary storms and flooding that swept through our region this winter, leaving trails ravaged and restoration zones overcome by invasive plants, the resilience of our community truly shined. This year witnessed an inspiring surge of support as dedicated volunteers stepped up in remarkable ways. Shoulder to shoulder, moving boulder after boulder, whether in the field, the office, house mailing parties, or at events, volunteers collectively contributed a staggering 6,113 hours throughout the fiscal year. These unsung heroes poured their hearts into restoring trails and removing invasive species. As we venture into another year united in purpose, our hearts brim with gratitude for the positive transformation dedicated volunteers bring to both our community and its invaluable ecosystem.
MOST LIKED PHOTO OF 2023 FISCAL YEAR—PHOTO BY TANIA PARKER
Linda & Robert Meyer
Linda Le Brock
Lisa & Michael
Marshall
Lisa & Stephen
Duncan
Lisa Baum & Mark Sausser
Lisa Clements
Lisa Garber
Lisa Wallmark & Jonas Svensson
Liz Gladstone
Lori Anaya
Lori Capron
Lori Cleary
Lori Gunnell
Lori Siegmund & Howard Sherer
Lynda Scott & John Marshall
Lynn Brookhouser
Lynn Rimkus
Lyra & Brett Buyan
M. Kathryn Waldman
Maggie & Anthony
Caspary
Maggie Kaufman
Malloy Family
Marc Drucker
Marcia Doty & Celeste Matesevac
Marie Anderson
Marilyn Bodo & Chuck Wood
Marilyn Clay Noad
Marilyn Gordanier
Marisa Johnson
Mark & Dawn Golden
Mark Latker
Marlayn Riley
Marqui Bury
Martha Saxe
Marty & Diane Crowley
Mary Ann Williamson
Mary Fauvre Holmes
Mary McConnel
Mary McGrath & Richard Simon Melinda Busch
Meredith Martin Treadwell & Tom Treadwell
Mia Rondinella
Michael & Carrie Rubalcava
Michael & Denise Small
Michael & Kathy Ogden
Michael Marks
Michael Zierhut
Michaela Watkins
Michelle Lopez-Dohrn
Michelle Pernice
Mike Briley
Mike Garcia
Mike Smith
Mike Whalen
Miriam Reaves
Motorola Solutions
Nancy & Claude Kent
Nancy Escher
Nancy Pepper
Nic George
Nicki Anderson
Nicola Bennett
Nina Toumanoff & Tony Winecoff
Nomi Morris
Norman & Marion Livermore
Nutmeg’s Ojai House
Ole B. Konig
Pam Tonucci
Patrick & Kathleen
Taylor
Paul & Carol Belser
Paul DeLapa & Bruce Owen
Paul Dentzel
Paul E. Niedringhaus
Paul Mithra
Paula Power
PayPal Giving Fund
Pegi & Jeffrey Skoff
Penny Drucker
Peter & Debra Wilkens
Peter Martin
Petter Romming
Phil Simon & Gwyer Schuyler
Phillip Forsman
Pierre & SchuberthBeverly
Pierre Bouvier
Priscilla L. Brennan
Rachel Edwards
Rachel Haymon & Ken Macdonald
Rachel Kondor & Brian Segee
Randi Poer & Jeff Nelson
Raymond Bransfield
Rebecca & Daniel Guadiana
Rebecca Shern
Reed & Heather Cowan
Rene Briggs
Rex & Susie Meach
Richard & Joanne McFerron
Richard & Sue
Yamamoto
Richard Bryson
Richard Carlson
Rikki Horne
Rita M. Herscovici
Rob & Antoinette Tivy
Rob & Sandy Mason
Rob Eshman
Robert & Linda Long
Robert Adams
Robert Kyle
Robert Torczyner
Robin Gerber
Robyn L. Posin
Rodney & Jean Smith
Roger Beerworth &
Barbara Parsons
Ron Stark
Ronald & Charlotte Williams
Ronald Pruitt
Rosalie Zabilla
RoseAnn Hill
Ross & Patty Atkinson
Rowanne Henry
Roy Hooper
Ruth Sayre
Ruth Walker
Sally Carless
Sam Jenniches
Samuel Cornwell
Sarah Lipman
Scott & Hannah Erickson
Scott Ripple
Sean McDermott
Sepideh Tabibian
Shana Gadley
Sharon Cline
Sharon McCormick & Margaret Gordon
Sharon Van Riper
Sheila Holland & Mark Neal
Sienna Yoast
Sierra Alder
Sinae Park & Matt Nava
Sophia Miles
Stacy Smith
Stephan Pleines
Stephanie Hubbard
Stephanie O’Neill
Stephen Upchurch
Steve & Cathy Brandt
Steve Bly
Steve Colome & Kathy Lottes
Steve Matzkin
Steve McMahon
Steve Offerman
Stewart Sheppard & Elisabeth Blaisdell
Stuart & Mary Niebel
Susan & McCullochDwayne
Susan Gary
Susan Godfrey
Susan Provost
Suzanne & Erik Feldman
Svetlana & Daniel Lucas
Sydney Robertson
Taina Garcia
Tamara & Greg Haggard
Tee & Gary Downard
TEGNA
Terry & MaulhardtAlan
Terry & Cricket
Twichell
Tessa Enright & Benjamin Squires
Tessa Shuler
The Balina Family
The Hume Family
Thomas Macias & James Pepper
Tim & Gloria Lawson
Tina Pukonen
Tod & Liz Cossairt
Tom & Rebecca Lowe
Trey Demmond & Kathryn McEachern
Trish & Kent Hardley
Trish Whalen
UMG
Valley Oak Family Practice
Viasat
Vikki Havle
Wayne & Petra Battleson
Wendy & Stan Hubbell
Wendy Elliott
Wendy Ford
Wendy Hilgers
William Fleming
William Spina
William Weirick
Yvonne Besvold
Zophar & Luke
Robinson
Stewards $250+
Adam Kear
Air Pizza
Ajay Sahgal
Al Stroberg & Betsy Patterson
Allan & Joyce West
Allison Reed
Andrea Gaines
Andrew Gilman
Angela & Shawn Saeedian
Angela Heald
Anne Fitzgerald & David Chase
Atlas Workshop
Barnhart & Barnhart
Insurance
Betty Iwerks
Bob & Bonnie Berkow
Brian & Amy Stark
Bruce & Linda Nofrey
Bruce & Patricia Kuebler
Cari Shore
Casey & Crystal Webb
Catherine & Jon McCord
Chris Teig
Christian Gillian
Chuck & Candy Menzel
Daniel Silver
Danielle Noble & Matthew Myerhoff
Dave & Beth Cohen
Dave Schaar
David & Vicki Hunt
David Moon
Debora Kirkland
Debra Reed
Deckers Outdoor Corporation
Dennis & Meredy
Benson Rice
Dennis & Stacy Allison
Diane & Jim Holland
Diane & John Thomson
Dixie Fullerton
Duane Dammeyer & Marty Bonvechio
Dylan Boeken
Ed & Barbara Kutchma
Ed & Judy Savage
Elaine Parker
Elizabeth Watson
Emily & Tony Ayala
Eric & Missy Stoen
Erica Helson
Eva Haro
Fred Rothenberg
Gary & Brenda Farr
Gay & Kathlyn
Hendricks
George & Peggy Melton
Gianpaolo Perrone
Glenda & Darrell Jones
Gracie Gartrell
Hans & Annika Gruenn
Hattie Vail
Heidi & Andrew
Whitman
Heidi & Glenn Kalison
Howard Asher & Jan Helfrich
Hunter Black
Ian Collis
James & Rebecca Malone
James Engel
Jan Reason
Jane & David Nunnelly
Jane & Steve Murray
Jane Montague
Jane Roberts
Janice Thomas
Jay Fields
Jeff & Elisabeth Otterbein
Jay & Pam* Windsor
Jenna Strauss
Jerry & Merry Dunn
Jessica Thompson
Joan Hurak Welborn
Joann Yabrof
Jodi & Michael
Rappaport Tuttle
John & Caroline Thacher
John & Jessica Nava
John & McCreaLindsay
John & Lisa Adair
John Hagel
John Kuney & Christy Sebastian
Jonathan Katz & Stephanie Pimcetl
Julie Lovejoy & Antoinette Pineau
Kate & Roger Larramendy-Wright
Katherine & Glenn Erickson
Katherine Holden & Tom Atherton
Katherine Winter
Kathryn Carlson
Keith & Kathleen
Manion
Kellie Warriner
Kevin Lynn
Kim Master & Noah Lieb
Kurt Neher
Laura & Guy Ring
Leah Rubin-Cadrain
LeighAnn McDonald
Linda Granat
Linda King
Linda Taylor
Lou Ann Schlichter
Lydia Holmes
Lynn & Ron Render
Margo & Christopher Land
Maria D. Redin
Maria Halvorson
Marilyn Miller
Mark & Caroline Stubbs
Mark & Sara Billings
Marty & Barbara Pops
Matilija Honor Society
Matt Larrew & Jordana Kaban
Matthew Hill
Maureen Tunney & John Oldach
Megan Davis
Michael & Susan Addison
Michael Callahan
Michael Crooke & Amy Dozier
Michael Price & Leslie Clark
Michael Sagol
Michael StevensGrand East Oak Apts
MK McCool
Molly Jordan & Hawk Koch & Molly
Jordan Koch
Natalie Mayer - Weil
Tennis Academy
Natasha Kawasaki
Neil & Gina Lokuge
Nicole & Matthew
Craig
Nozhan Bassir
Pat & Steve Edwards
Paul Ramirez
Peter & Jeanne
Tymstra
Peter Cambier & Sue Atwood
Peter Passell & Joan Peters
Peter Strauss
Phil Kaplan
Phillips/Bandoli
Charitable Fund
Pietsie Campbell
Rachel Lang
Rajasekaran
Ramasubramanian
Richard & Sandy Hajas
Richard & Sharon Rockefeller
Rick & Robin Beers
Robert & Katy Zappala
Robert Davis
Robert Ornstein
Sandra & Lee Moore
Scarlett Abrous
Scott & Jeri Johnson
Sharon & Glenn Myers
Sharon Palmer
Sharon Thames
Shelley & Keven
Cornish
Soheila Kolahi
Sonny Ward & Michael Lombardo
Stephanie Lopez
Steve Clark
Stu Lennox
Susan Anderson
Terri & Alex Laine
Theresa & Allen
Bridges
Thomas & Nancy Michali
Timbre Books
Timothy Denardo
Tom & Kerry Weisel
Trent & Olga Jones
Tricia & Todd Mills
Virginia & Peter Aguirre
BY THE NUMBERS
Logged: 6,113 volunteer hours
Virginia & McConnellTed
Virginia Siegfried & Barry Verga
Warren McConnell
Wendy & Chaim
Avraham
Champions
$500+
Adirondack
Foundation -
Nancy Adams Sweet Fund 2
Alan Kornfeld
Alice & Richard Matzkin
Alice Braitman
Angela Gardner & John Mawson
Ann & Steven
Sunshine
Ann Costigan
Anne & Garrett
Clifford
Annie Nyborg & Matt Brunetti
Anson Williams
Arne Anselm & Michelle Velderrain
Beatrice Battier & Wilson Miller
Bill Norris & Judith
Hale Norris
Brad Tully
Brian Schlaak
Grown: 3,793 native plants
Brittany Sanders & Robert Polidori
California Solar Electric
Carla Melson
Charley & Sandy Sledd
Cherie Beers
Chip & Sheryl Lesch
Chris & Oliver Roush
Chris Park & Peter Nistler
Cliff Hershman
Colin & ScibettaEmily
Concord
Corrina Wright & Anthony Avildsen
Couch Guitar Straps
Craig Marcus
Darlene Patrick & Jim Selman
David & Elizabeth Silva
David & Mary Trudeau
David Nakada
David Pacheco
Deric & Barbara
Washburn
Don Mosley
Donna Darm
Sold: 1,514 native plants to the community
Planted: 821 native plants in restoration sites on the preserves
Attended: 2,000 people at Mountainfilm on Tour
Dorthea Atwater & Peter Hay
Doug & Mary Jo McLeod
Doug Campbell
Douglas & Angela Parker
Eileen Hawkes Ochsner
Elaine Sweet
Eliana Thacher
Erin & Jon Bernthal
Etsy
Fred & Dana Fleet
Frederick & Margaret Menninger
Friend’s Ranch
Friends Stable and Orchard
Gail & Erick
Peterson
George & Debbie Watson
Hamilton & Holden Myers
Heather King & Greg Grant
Heritage Financial
Ingo & Leslie Schreiber
Jacqueline Lawson
Jane & Richard Weirick
Janet Jacobs
Jarod Schneider & Jenny Lang
Jason Headley
Jennifer Keeler
Jes MaHarry & Patrick Henderson
Jill Forman & David Young
Julie & Jeff Mc Manus
Karen & Bill Evenden
Karen Kaminsky
Ken Davis
Kenneth & Sarah Cluff
Kevin & Jennifer Convery
Kimberly Peterson
Kristi Schoeld & Neil Jorgensen
Leslie Golden
Leslie Tobin Bacon
Loren Miller
Lucinda & Tim Setnicka
Lynette Cervantes
Maggie Rossi
Mallory Warner
Margaret & Duane Williamson
Martha Groszewski
Volunteered: 736 people
Used: 800 bike bells
Marti & Dan Reid
Mary Natwick & Larry Scott
Merrill Williams
Michael & Arlene Ross
Michael & Julie McFadden
Michele Sordi
Mike & Joanne
Caldwell
Morgan Ramirez
Move Sanctuary
Myers, Widders, Gibson, Jones & Feingold, LLP
Nancy Stringer & Anthony Amos
Nathaniel Cox
Neal Githens & Miranda Kilbey
Neiman Marcus
Ojai Arts Exchange
Patrice & Robert Rosenthal
Patrick & Nancy Gallagher
Paul Rudder
Pax Environmental
Peak Design
Rachael & Griff
Barkley
Randy Banchik & Jannell
Greene-Banchik
Raymond Azoulay
Revel
Richard & Kristal DeVillers
Richard & Mary Kanatzar
Richard Rhone &
Cynthia Fitzpatrick
Rob Neely
Russell Sydney
Scott Silver & Jill Greene-Silver
Shahram Monem
Shelley Scott
Sherri Drifka
Sheryl Shushan & Mark Hebbring
Sue Horgan
Suzanne Harvey
Sylvia Narula Tasha Sween
The Adamsons (Andrew + Amy + Emma)
The Trust For Public Lands
Theodore GallGall Sculpture
Tom Maloney & Andrea Jones
Topa Topa Brewing Company
Vanessa McLean
Vickie CarltonByrne & David Byrne
Vicki Maloney
Walter & Julia Hamann
Friends of the Ojai Valley
$1,000+
Alan & Carol Saltzman
Alex & Sarah Sheshunoff
Allison Binkowski & John Alden Broome
Amazon Smile
Amy Schneider
Anna Getty & Bodhi & Roman Oster
Aqua-Flo Supply
Arthur & Judy Vander
Baleen
BANDITS
Bandanas
Barbara Barry
Barbara K. Sorem-Hughlett
Betsy Vanleit
Bill & Sherry Loehr
Bill Brothers & Susie Ault
Bruce & Virginia Hibberd
Bruce Jugan
Bruce Mason
Bryan Mershon
Charles & Sarah Genuardi
Charlie & Francis Baysinger
Cheryl & Monte Widders
Chester Jagiello - Alpha Stone Inc.
Chevron Humankind Matching Program
Chris & Karen Birbeck
Chris Hacker & Will Thomas
Chris Miller
Connie Eaton & William Hart
Daniel T FoundationAlvy
David Shemper
Dennis & Holly Mitchem
Diederik van Hoogstraten & Kelly Merryman
Donna & Ted Miller
Doug & Karen Kirk
Douglas Creel
Emma Nathan
Fred Kramer
Gene Wise & Fiona Hutton
Damaged: 270 spots on trails from the January storms
Averaged: 42 inches of rainfall across the valley
Burned: 31 acres of invasive weeds
Hosted: 49 events
George E. Berg & Gail Topping
Gerben & Jill Hoeksma
Gina Balian & Jonathan Chinn
Graham Beck
Hammitt
Herb & Amber
Courtney Herring Law Group
Huora L. Williams
Jamie & Carolyn
Bennett
Jane Parkes
Jan Rains
Jarret Jackson
Jeannie & Walter Sedgwick
Jerry & Char Michaels
Jerry & Linda Bruckheimer
Jessica & Rob Donahue
Jim and Rob’s Fresh Grill
Joan Kemper
John & Harriet Clise
John & Peggy Russell
John* & BroesamleKathy
Judith & Donald Diaz
Judy Meleliat & Reilly Jensen
Karen & Dave Brubaker
Removed: 20 acres of Arundo
Hosted: 4 Corpsmembers from CDFW’s Watershed Stewards Program
Acquired: 9.55 acres along San Antonio Creek
Kashi & Jennifer Lee
Kathryn Ferguson
Kay Chatowski
Keri & Stephen Matte
Kerry Miller Designer/ Builder, Inc.
Kitty & JohnstonJohnny
Lale Welsh & Jon Drucker
Larry Rose & Lisa Larramendy
Las Palmas de Ojai
Laughing Dog Ranch LLC
Linda L. Maigret
Lisa Smith
Loren Bouchard & Holly Kretschmar
Lucy & TolmachJonathan
Marc Evan Jackson & Beth Hagenlocker
Maria & Tyler Barrell
Marie & Keith Brown
Mark & Cherryl
Connally
Mark Silbernagel
Marsha & Paul Fonteyn
Mary Bergen
Mary M. Downer
Matthew Velkes & Liza Chasin
McDaniel Insurance Services
Meiners Oaks
Ace Hardware
Michael J. Jauregui & Susan Olson
Mike & Erika Swimmer
Mike Sullivan & Melissa Bishop
Nathan Wallace
Niels & Robin Nyborg
Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company
Oliver Wilson & Kaarina Tienhaara
Pamela & Richard Smith
Pastel Society of the Gold Coast
Patty & John Abou-Samra Kearney
Peter Adee
Peter Seery
Phil Moncharsh & Diane Zusman
Polly & Scott Nelson
R.A. Atmore & Sons, Inc.
Raina Penchansky
Richard & Maddy Ehrman
Robert Tallyn & Betsy Bachman
Roger & Pat Essick
Ronald & Linda Phillips
Ruth Lasell & Bob Bonewitz
Sam Thirion
Sandy Buechley
Sasha & Hanson Gifford
SC&A Insurance Services LLC
Scott Bevans & Valerie Dykeman
Siobhan McDevitt
Soul Body Ojai Healing Arts & Yoga Center
Stuart Meiklejohn & Mary Ann O’Connor
Sue Gilbreth
Susan Bee
Susan Taylor & John Houghton
Blake* & Susanne
Wilson
Suzanne & Phil White
Swanner Physical Therapy
The Glass Man Professional Window Company,Washing Inc.
The John J. Moller
Family Foundation
The Olson Family Giving Fund
Tobias ParkerGeneral Contractor
Tobias & Tania Parker
Toby & Melissa White
Tony & Donna Athens
Tony & Roslyn (Roz) Demaria
Trent & Kris Greco
Virginia & Steve Newkirk
West Coast Air Conditioning
William & Elise Kearney
William Burnside
WORB Inc.
Wyatt & Claudia Harris
Guardians of the Ojai Valley
$5,000+
Allen & Marilyn Camp
Ann & Harry Oppenheimer
Anne Crawford
DeZonia
Annica & James
Howard
Anonymous
Athletic CompanyBrewing
Bob Unruhe*
Bruce & Marilyn Wallace Foundation
Christine Bednar & Dean Wigger
Christopher Noxon Charitable Fund
Cotyledon Fund
Leashed: 4 OVLC office dogs
Courtney Nichols
Gould & Gordon
Gould
Cynthia & Byron Grant
Dr. David &
Cindy Garber
Dr. Fred Fauvre
Francis (Hank) Pepper
Green Valley Project
Greg & Mechas
Grinnell
Gregory Rutchik & Erin Stern
High on Kennels - Fred Presson
Holdfast Collective
Joan Roberts*
John S Kiewit
Memorial Foundation
Julie Rischar*
Karen Courington & Dan Lukasiewicz
Karen Hellmuth & Bob Vandersluis
LEA Family Fund
Linda Turner
Interned: 2 students in the Native Plant Nursery
Molina Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Victor M. Sher
Ojai Valley Inn
Patagonia
Phillip Bradley
PM A Friend
Resources
Legacy Fund
Robin Roy & Cathy Zoi
Sespe Creek Collective
So Hum Foundation
Tailwind Fund
Tay Lesley
The Land Trust Alliance
The MOB Shop
The Shanbrom
Family Foundation
The Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation
Tom & Michelle
Tamplin
Totem Ranch Co
Trade Desk
Tucker & Phil Adams
Ventura County
Watershed Protection District
Warren Zavala & Sarah Self
Thank you to our Pushing Up Poppies Legacy Giving Club members. Your commitment to OVLC leaves a legacy for Ojai, and for future generations to come.
Together you have made a deep commitment to extend your values and vision beyond this lifetime. You recognize the importance of long-term sustainability for an organization that promises to protect what you love forever.
Legacy gifts are a beautiful way to honor your connection and
express gratitude for the memories and experiences you have had in our beautiful valley. 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.
Learn more at ovlc.org/ways-give/planned-giving
THANK YOU TO PUSHING UP POPPIES LEGACY GIVING CLUB MEMBERS
Anonymous (25)
Arne Anselm & Michelle Velderrain
Barb & Mike Rugo
Bill Brothers & Susie Ault
Cathy Diorio
David & Elizabeth Silva
Debra Eve & David Leggett
Dennis & Meredy Benson Rice
Don & Sue Reed
Eleanor Crilly
Gregory Rutchik & Erin Stern
Huora L. Williams
Jerry Maryniuk & Diane Bertoy
Jill Forman & David Young
Joan Roberts*
John* & Kathy Broesamle
Laurie Edgcomb
Linda & Boris Chaloupsky
Mary & Greg Iler
Mike Briley
Nancy Pepper
Pat & Roger Essick
Paula Power
Rachel Kondor & Brian Segee
Robert Tallyn
Sandy Buechley
Tania & Tobias Parker
Terry & Cindy Wright
Theresa Gorey
Tom Rambo
Willi & Stefanie Coeler
IT’S UNBE LEAF
ABLE!
If you’re a gardener looking to attract pollinators to your garden, then the answer is clear—narrowleaf milkweed ( Asclepias fasciculatum) is the beloved pollinator plant you need! During the winter months, narrowleaf milkweed goes dormant, conserving its energy for the upcoming spring. As days grow longer and warmer, fragrant cream-colored flowers start to emerge. These delicate blooms are a magnet for pollinators, especially the iconic monarch butterfly.
By incorporating narrowleaf milkweed into your garden, you contribute to the conservation efforts of monarchs, helping to ensure their survival for generations to come. So, when you hear about narrowleaf milkweed, don’t just think of it as “unbeleafable”—think of it as a vital connection to the beauty and wonder of nature, making your garden a sanctuary for pollinators and a link in the chain of life. Visit our website to learn more about planting native plants in your yard: ovlc.org/rewildojai
WESTERN WHIPTAIL CREATURE FEATURE
In the Ojai Valley, a species of lizard known as the western whiptail or tiger whiptail ( Aspidoscelis tigris), captivates observers with its striking appearance and lightning-fast movements. As a diurnal species, the western whiptail thrives during daylight hours, engaging in active foraging to satisfy its insectivorous diet.
Unlike its regional counterparts, such as the western fence lizard, which stealthily stalks its prey, the western whiptail is a dynamic forager, fearlessly delving into the earth in search of sustenance. With remarkable speed and agility, it adeptly captures swift-moving insects like ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders, all while leaving a trail of awe in its wake. A true testament to nature’s wonders, the western whiptail’s presence in the Ojai Valley adds to the allure and biodiversity of this captivating region.
OJAI MEADOWS SPONSORS
Dr. David L. Garber, D.D.S
Henry Land Surveying
Las Palmas de Ojai
Lorraine Lim Catering, Inc
Patagonia
Topa Topa Brewing Company
STEELHEAD SPONSORS
High on Kennels
REI
Sespe Creek Collective
The MOB Shop
SAN ANTONIO CREEK SPONSORS
Aqua-Flo Supply
BANDITS Bandanas
E3
The Glass Man Professional Window Washing Company, Inc.
Herring Law Group
Ojai Valley Inn
Rotary Club of Ojai
Tonya Peralta Real Estate Team
PARKWAY SPONSORS
Alpha Stone Inc.
Broken Spoke Challenge/ Fast Green Racing
Firestick Pottery
Hammitt
Jim and Rob’s Fresh Grill
Kerry Miller Designer & Builder, Inc.
Latitudes Gallery
Laughing Dog Ranch LLC
McDaniel Insurance Services
Meiners Oaks Ace Hardware
Move Sanctuary
Ojai Playhouse
Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company
Pastel Society of the Gold Coast
SC&A Insurance Services LLC
Stay Wild Ventures
Tobias Parker - General Contractor
West Coast Air Conditioning
RIO VISTA SPONSORS
Bohéme
California Solar Electric
Couch Guitar Straps
Don & Cheree Edwards
~ RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors
Friends Stable and Orchard
Emily Wilson - Heritage Financial
Revel Kombucha
Soul Body Ojai Healing Arts & Yoga Center
Ventura Roofing Company
IN-KIND SPONSORS
bITvision
California 101 Guide
Custom Printing
Hutchinson and Bloodgood
Ojai Quarterly
Ojai Valley Directory
Ojai Valley News
Shelter Social Club/Rancho Inn
NEW POETRY BOOK FOR SALE
Song of Ojai is a poetic meditation on nature and motherhood, set in the spiritual landscape of the Ojai Valley in Southern California. Taking place over the course of a single day, the author, Kathryn Le Grice, and her young son walk the Ventura River Preserve trails, encountering through their wandering the sights and sounds of its native creatures and habitat. Evoking the beauty and fragility of life, the shifting experiences of the day are weaved with memories of times past as the two wanderers become immersed in the ways of nature and confront with wonder the grand themes that play out in all our lives—love and loss, time and aging, death, birth and renewal.
An amalgamation of many years walking in the Ojai nature preserves, from the initial perspective of being a stranger in a new land to ultimately finding home, Song of Ojai is both a poignant ode to motherhood and a love song to our unique and magical valley.
Enjoy the following poem from the book:
I Flowers I
Bees whir in spiraling servitude to their hidden shadow queen. A lizard’s tail, frightened off, still wags a welcome breeze. In its fresh eddy, reverent poppies sway; over fragrant lilac— half a lizard plays.
From a gopher’s peeping face, Gaia’s soft eyes smile; beam over new-grown blossom, the answered prayer of the wild.
As posies of remembrance to Western gravestones pressed, upon our wild blooms we feel spirits fall. In offering— at rest.
We pause . . . . . . to catch the timbre of grasses that swayed our day. Song-spun tales of a valley time never to return in quite this way.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
IN MEMORY OF
Gretchen Miller from Krista Harris
John Broesamle from Dennis & Meredy Benson Rice Friend’s Ranch
Marilyn Gordanier
Ruth Lasell & Bob Bonewitz
Sandy Buechley
Susan Bee
Lou Ann Schlichter
Thank you for the generous gift. This donation helps save some of the beauty of California. from Una Smith
Michael Chambliss
May Michael rest in peace. from Angela Graveline
Ann & Harry Oppenheimer
Ingrid Green
Jim Patin
Keith & Victoria Nightingale
Kristen & Tony Petros
Ruth Lasell & Bob Bonewitz
Sandy Buechley
Tom LaGatta
Robert Evans
May his memory be a blessing. from Alan Kirschbaum
Arynaa Swope
Chris & Karen Birbeck
Dodge Mallare & Danielle
Brinkman
Iva Heins
Jean Kilmurray
Jill & Chris Borgeson
Nancy Kochevar
Peggy & Dennis Wood
Tania & Tobias Parker
IN HONOR OF
Anna Getty-Oster
Thinking of you today. from Scarlett Abrous
Jean Blair from Clyde Blair
Daren Magee aka Real Fun, Wow!
from BANDITS Bandanas
Karen Kilpatrick
Happy Birthday! from R Gary Branchaud
Bob Kilpatrick
Angela Weatherford
June Sears
Natalie Salvo
Amanda Russ
Diane Masters
Lanae Carter
Happy Birthday and Happy Hiking! from Katherine Willis
Michala, Jack and Smoky
Happy Trails and Tails! Love you all from Rebekah Kepple
Rome, the big, black dog
Good boy, Sit! Stay! from Paul Rudder
WELCOME NEW DONORS!
Allison & Christopher Davis
Annemiek Schilder
Anthony Ferguson
Barbara Poitras
Catherine Halley
Constance Cornell
Dawn Havel
Diane Rosenblum
El Jarro Mexican Restaurant
Evan Rapoport
Jane Parkes
John Cinatl
Keith & Ana Jewett
Linda Drevenstedt
Lydia Holmes
Maria Mignogna
Matthew Hill
Melissa Lemein
Michael Spagnoli
Shannon Finch
From: 5/9/23-8/1/23
Sofia Burke
In honor of Sofia, a senior at Oak Grove School, who held a benefit concert at our venue for your organization. Thank you for all you do!
from Ojai Arts Exchange
The wedding of Anson & Sharon Williams
Wishing you happiness! from Michaela and Fred Watkins
Cookie & Adam Rosenzweig
Trish Whalen from Mike Whalen
Weil Tennis Academy Env Science Class Fundraiser from Weil Tennis Academy 8th grade
Acknowledgments: 5/9/23-8/1/23
TAKE ADVANTAGE of your company’s matching gift program and double your impact!
From:5/9/23-8/1/23
