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
Betsy Vanleit
Bret Bradigan
Dave Comfort
Fiona Hutton
Jerry Maryniuk
Tonya Peralta
Larry Rose
Lizzy Chouinard
Lu Setnicka
Sarah Sheshunoff
STAFF
Tom Maloney Executive Director
Tania Parker Deputy Director
Brendan Taylor Director of Field Programs
Dan Pizano Operations Director
Vivon Sedgwick Restoration Program Director
Adam Morrison Development Manager
Nathan Wickstrum Communications & Outreach Manager
Rhett Walker Grants Manager
Carrie Drevenstedt Development Database Coordinator
Christine Gau Land Protection Specialist
Linda Wilkin Preserve Manager
Sophie McLean Native Plant Specialist & Nursery Manager
Claire Woolson Rewild Ojai & Volunteer Coordinator
Martin Schenker Restoration Field Crew Manager
Tyler Willibrand Restoration Field Crew
Keith Brooks Land Steward
Madison Moore Nursery Assistant/Restoration Field Crew
Celeste Ayala Nursery Intern
Lilac Feliciano Nursery Intern
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 Nathan Wickstrum
DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT
A matching gift means your contribution will go twice as far. Many companies will double (or triple) the value of their employees’ gifts to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. These matching gifts provide valuable funds as we work to protect and restore the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley forever.
Some companies will still match your gifts even after you retire. To see if your company will match a gift to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, contact your company’s human resources department.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
November marks the start of my fifth year with OVLC. The season’s shortening days and the anniversary leads me to reflect on how things are going. If I had to choose one word that best captures how things are going, that word would be gratitude. First and foremost, I am grateful for being able to work with such an outstanding, fun, and team-oriented group of folks. My committed colleagues at OVLC all genuinely pull together and consciously look to help each other in executing our mission. This level of esprit de corps is rare in today’s world where too often focusing on grievances seems to rule the day. Having such joyful, committed colleagues is truly special.
Speaking on behalf of my colleagues, we are grateful for the OVLC Board who are similarly oriented and provide the support, guidance, and teamwork to lead the organization. Anyone involved with OVLC knows that current Board President Roger Essick deserves a special note of thanks as a champion of conservation in the Ojai Valley. Roger is terming off his umpteenth year on the Board but will hopefully stay close and continue to provide his valued counsel.
Of course, our greatest thanks go to you, our donors. All of us at OVLC feel a deep collective sense of gratitude for the outstanding level of support we receive from our community. When we interact with colleagues in the land trust community, they are blown away by the level of support that OVLC receives.
Your support and trust enables our work, and we intend to continue to earn that support for many years to come!
Much of OVLC’s support stems from our extensive network of trails that provide access to nature. We are extremely grateful for the phenomenal support of our committed volunteers. A couple of years ago, OVLC made an investment in providing more intentional support to the volunteer program. In the past fiscal year alone, this investment has resulted in an amazing 7,100 volunteer hours of help across the organization! Field Program staff Brendan Taylor, Linda Wilkin, and Keith Brooks deserve special mention in cultivating and nurturing the volunteer program’s contributions to stewardship and restoration.
Lastly, I’d like to acknowledge our gratitude for our partners. Land conservation is more important than ever, and community resilience depends on collective efforts. Each of you make this community a better place in your own way. We are fortunate to work alongside agency and nonprofit partners who share our mission. We are all grateful for the vision of California voters who passed a $10 billion Climate Bond this month! Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient Ojai Valley. Thank you!
Tom Maloney, Executive Director
OVLC staff on a fall field trip to the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
IN MEMORY OF
Alexander Blackburn from Sparrow Baranyai
Charles Casey from Anne Wilder, Brian Sordyl, Charles Templer, Michael Israel, Mike Matthews, Tony Demaria
Doris Golden
To my sweet buddy, Leslie all my love, Heather Westendarp
Jacqueline from Colin & Emily Scibetta
Ken Delbo from Len Klaif & Linda Harmon, Gregory Spaulding, Mandy & Steve Brigham, Margo & Christopher Land, Mark Karch, Ojai Valley Community Church, Randy & Patrice Magill, Tanya Kovaleski, Anonymous
Tamara Iwerks
In memory of my beautiful daughter from Betty Iwerks
IN
HONOR OF
Adam Morrison
He’s the best! from Emily Benson
Al Earle
Let’s do this! from Catherine Meek
Anson Williams & Sharon Maharry from Donna Darm
Dan Glassman
Happy Birthday! from Ben Moores, Carol & Ken Leandro, Eleanor Baker, Mark Finster, Tania, Tobias & Topa Parker
THE GREATER ROADRUNNER
Nestled in the picturesque Ojai Valley, the Greater Roadrunner is more than just a quirky bird; it’s a vibrant part of the local culture and natural history. Known for its striking appearance and unique behaviors, this fascinating creature has captured the hearts of residents and visitors alike.
The Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a ground-dwelling bird that can be found throughout the southwestern United States. With its long legs, distinctive crest, and surprisingly iridescent plumage, the Greater Roadrunner is a sight to behold as it darts across the landscape.
Historically, these birds have thrived in arid environments, preferring open spaces with plenty of cover, but are able to adapt to neighborhoods and people. Their fascinating behaviors, like their characteristic running speed (up to 20 miles per hour!), make them a joy to observe in the wild. You can find recent observations on iNaturalist, and you are more likely to see them this time of year.
As we appreciate the Greater Roadrunner, it’s essential to consider its conservation. While the species is currently stable, habitat preservation remains crucial. In the Ojai Valley, community
Hannes from Florian Liebenstein
Ojai Ice Cream from Jonathan Berg
Tania Parker
Thank you for all your work on behalf of the Valley. Go Wild. from Theresa & Chris Vyhnal
Acknowledgments: 8/2/24-10/22/24
NEW 100 HOUR MILESTONE VOLUNTEERS
Pat Edwards
Robin Roy
** Volunteer hours since 10/1/2018
efforts to protect natural spaces ensure these incredible birds can continue to thrive alongside us.
Local conservation groups, such as ours, are working tirelessly to educate residents about the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems. By participating in these initiatives, we can all help ensure the future of the roadrunner and other wildlife in our area. So next time you spot one zipping across the road or perched atop a fence post, take a moment to appreciate this remarkable creature and all it represents.
Tyler Willibrand,
Restoration Field Crew
SONGS OF THE STREAMS
As the autumnal winds fall silent upon willow-decorated creeks, the profound sound of water cuts through the streambeds and fills the tranquil air. Quail frolic amongst yellow painted alluvium, where the pungent scent of late season asters anchor the ecosystem until rain. It is this time of year, when birds have flown their artistically crafted nests, that we sharpen our tools and charge into the battlefields of giant reed. The thrill of watching stands of invasive Arundo ( Arundo donax) topple down, revealing lush vegetation hidden beneath, is a view rewarding as any.
Commonly called giant reed or elephant grass for its towering height, Arundo is a noxious invasive species that threatens our natural resources, local ecosystems, and community. OVLC has worked for over a decade to remove Arundo from our preserves, and we’ve recently ramped up our efforts to finish the job.
This fall, we’ve been hard at work removing over 10 acres of Arundo from San Antonio Creek and in the mainstem of the Ventura River, with plans to tackle another five acres on Lion Creek this winter. Diligent work in the floodplain over the years has encouraged a braided profile, rather than one that is incised, channelized, and disconnected hydrologically. One of our favorite methods to increase shading, floodplain connectivity, and promote succession within the newly open riverbank is to live stake mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia). This member in the Asteraceae
grows quickly, stabilizes the soil, provides great bird habitat, and flowers late in the season. Underneath the canopy of mulefat, our team documented a wide diversity of herbaceous plants following two years of intensive giant reed removal. Some of our favorites include hoary bowlesia (Bowlesia incana), large flowered phacelia (Phacelia grandiflora), witchgrass (Panicum capillare), and fiesta flower (Pholistoma auritum). Variance in canopy cover and channel height facilitates habitat for amphibians such as red-legged frogs (Rana draytonii ), which we found hiding in quiet water within our restoration site.
Arundo threatens our water supply, creates flood hazards, accelerates erosion, crowds out native vegetation, and creates a dangerous fire risk. However, healthy rivers are resilient, especially if we give nature some help. This is why OVLC is leading a community effort to remove invasive Arundo, restore important habitats, reconnect with nature, and rewild our river.
We hope you’ll pass by one of our sites and be inspired by the resurgence of the river without the choke of Arundo, knowing that there is an amazing diversity of native species already starting to take its place.
Martin Schenker, Restoration Field Crew Manager
A stretch of San Antonio Creek flows freely, liberated from the choking grasp of dense Arundo stands. Photo by Nathan Wickstrum.
VOLUNTEERS LEAD THE WAY
REROUTING OSO RIDGE TRAIL FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR COMMUNITY
Community volunteers have done an incredible amount of work for OVLC’s 27-mile trail system. Over the past few years, our trail stewardship program has found a steady rhythm: starting the year with storm repairs during winter rains, shifting to vegetation clearance in spring, clearing rocks from river-bottom trails in summer, and tackling deferred maintenance projects each fall. Year by year, our dedicated group of volunteers has sought to do even more to care for this essential community asset—now, they’re taking on the complex task of designing trail re-routes.
While volunteers have long assisted with new trail layouts and construction, until now they haven’t taken the lead in designing new trail layouts. This year, however, some of our experienced volunteers, including Jon Hill and Rob Young, along with Volunteer Crew Leaders Anthony Avildsen, Dave Fleischman, and Emma Nathan, stepped up to spearhead the rerouting and construction of a section of the Oso Ridge Trail on Ventura River Preserve.
The top of Oso Ridge, the high point of the preserve, has sharp switchbacks with steep segments in between. The terrain is rugged and southwest-facing, factors that reduce vegetation density. Together, these conditions contribute to “tread creep,”
where trail edges slowly erode outward as users skirt damaged areas. This erosion not only widens the trail but also leads to the trampling and destruction of surrounding habitat. The ideal solution was to reroute the trail to a more stable location, reducing erosion and preserving the vegetation.
This section of Oso Ridge was the perfect setting for our experienced volunteers to advance their trail stewardship skills. After staff outlined the area to be rerouted, the volunteers took charge. Over several weeks in late summer, they navigated the challenging hillside to determine a more sustainable path. Laying out a new trail is never straightforward—one stretch might be scattered with rocks, while another is dense with vegetation that obscures potential routes. Finding a corridor with a gentle enough grade for a stable trail tread proved to be an elusive but rewarding task.
To assess the grade, we use an inclinometer—a handheld tool similar to the equipment used by orange-vested surveyors on construction sites. Our volunteers took on the challenging work of trudging back and forth through thick chaparral, using inclinometers to survey potential routes with partners holding measuring sticks. Thanks to the diligent efforts of Anthony, Jon, Dave, Emma, and Rob, they found a route that would work. As fall began, they launched into constructing the new section of the Oso Ridge Trail.
Designing new trails is one of the most complex tasks in trail work, involving countless decisions about routing, drainage features, and turns, with constant uncertainty about what lies just below the soil surface. By taking on this challenge, our volunteers are expanding their skills and playing a critical role in trail stewardship. Their growing expertise helps ensure that our trails remain enjoyable for everyone while protecting the preserves from avoidable damage. It’s this commitment from our volunteers that makes it possible for OVLC to keep our trail system open, accessible, and sustainable for the entire community.
Brendan Taylor, Director of Field Programs
As we reflect on the success of our 10th anniversary of Mountainfilm on Tour and the magic of Under the Open Sky, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible community that made these events come to life. Many thanks are due to our 100 event volunteers, our passionate OVLC staff, generous event sponsors, vendors, food trucks, and all of the wonderful people who gathered to celebrate. Togehter, we created evenings that truly resonated with the spirit of the Ojai Valley.
As a community, we didn’t just watch inspiring films; we united for something bigger. Your overwhelming support through your presence and donations helped fuel our mission to protect and restore the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley. Every contribution brings us closer to expanding our impact, and we are deeply moved by your generosity.
It was a pleasure to celebrate the beauty of our open spaces, the inspiration of rewilding the valley, and the power of community. We hope you left feeling as inspired as we did, knowing that your commitment to conservation makes a lasting difference.
Thank you again for being a part of these memorable nights. We look forward to seeing you at future events, volunteer opportunities, or out on the trails!
Mountainfilm on Tour photos by Marc Alt
Under the Open Sky photos by Nathan Wickstrum
VENTURA RIVER SPONSORS
Las Palmas de Ojai
OJAI MEADOWS SPONSORS
Henry Land Surveying
Lorraine Lim Catering, Inc.
Patagonia
Topa Topa Brewing Company
STEELHEAD SPONSORS
High on Kennels
Ojai Valley Inn
The MOB Shop
Travis Agricultural Construction, Inc.
SAN ANTONIO CREEK SPONSORS
Aqua-Flo Supply
BANDITS Bandanas
The Glass Man Professional Window Washing Company, Inc.
Herring Imming LLP
Tonya Peralta Real Estate Team
PARKWAY SPONSORS
Alpha Stone Inc.
Firestick Pottery
Jim and Rob’s Fresh Grill
McDaniel Insurance Services
Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company
Pixie Candle Studio
SC&A Insurance Services LLC
Stay Wild Ventures
Tobias Parker—General Contractor
West Coast Air Conditioning
IN-KIND SPONSORS
bITvision
California 101 Guide
Custom Printing
Hutchinson and Bloodgood
Ojai Quarterly
Ojai Valley Directory
Ojai Valley News
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.
The real beneficiary, of course, is Ojai.
HIKE TURNED WILD: COUGAR ENCOUNTER
On a late summer afternoon in Ojai, my friend Annie and I set out for a hike at Valley View Preserve, excited to enjoy the scenery before sunset. While pointing out new flora I have learned about while working at OVLC, we shared laughs along the trail. Then our hike took an unexpected twist when we encountered a mountain lion just ten feet away. The sleek cat froze, as we did the same, both startled by each other. After a few moments of staring into those big yellow eyes, I confidently shouted at the lion while raising my arms. Surprisingly, the mountain lion retreated down the trail, and we felt a wave of relief. Though we considered turning back, the encroaching darkness urged us to press on, reluctant to retrace our steps so far into the Fox to Luci’s loop, our eyes vigilant as we made our way toward the trailhead. Keeping a sharp lookout, we grabbed rocks and sticks for safety.
All of a sudden, we spotted the lion again, its tail flickering as it moved along the path. Singing loudly to deter the lion, we noticed another hiker across the canyon and quickly warned him about the predator. Now closer than before, the mountain lion jumped on the narrow trail between us and the other hiker. Concerned for Annie’s safety, I urged her to stay facing the lion, which crouched, seemingly ready to pounce. Fortunately, when we shouted together and got big, the lion retreated once more,
jumping back to the mountainside. Needless to say, we made it home safely that day.
- Madison Moore, Nursery Assistant/Restoration Field Crew
Mountain lions are native predator in California, vital for ecological balance. Historically, hunting and habitat loss significantly reduced their populations. Conservation efforts, particularly after the California Wildlife Protection Act of 1990, granted them special protection. Despite this, urban expansion and habitat fragmentation continue to threaten them. The availability of prey and vegetation influences mountain lion density, making land preservation essential for their survival, as well as for healthy prey populations and ecosystem health.
Although rare, human-wildlife conflicts can occur in urban and rural areas. Knowing how to respond during an encounter can help keep you safe while hiking in their territories.
For tips on preparing for a mountain lion encounter, visit: ovlc.org/mountain-lions
WELCOME NEW DONORS!
Adam Eastwood
Alfredo Perez
Allison Clarke
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Gordon Gibbons
Greg & Tanya Mull
Hanna Assad
Heather Grant
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Holly Carter & Marcel Giacusa
Howard Schneider
Isadora Chesler
Ivett Plascencia
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Jeannette & Mark Smith
Jennifer Green
Joel Moody
John B
Kaitlyn Olson
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Kasey Lennon
Kasiana Mclenaghan
Kim Brown
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Klaus Tritschler
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Mike Iandolo
Mosie Trewhitt
Neal Dunne
Oliver Moody
Olivia & Alex Harris
Oona & Chad Caldwell
Paul Grankowski
Piper Presley
Prajesh Acharya
Rainy & Greg Sawicki
Richard Ingles
Richard Sven Shelgren & Bonnie Rose
Sam & Nicole Lemke
Samantha Smith
Sandra Knauer & Brian Adolph
Sarah Yates
Scott Armstrong
Tammy Barrios
Thomas Mone
Toni & Dave Johnson
Toni Reinis
Tony N
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William & Jan Coultas
Yolanda Bergman
From: 8/2/24-10/22/24
