OPEN SPACES
Quarterly Newsletter
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stefanie Coeler President
Sandy Buechley Vice President
Martha Groszewski Treasurer
Sarah Sheshunoff Secretary
Annie Nyborg
Bret Bradigan
Dave Comfort
Fiona Hutton
Jerry Maryniuk
Jim Finch
Lizzy Chouinard
Lu Setnicka
Tim Rhone
STAFF
Tom Maloney Executive Director
Tania Parker Deputy Director
Brendan Taylor Director of Field Programs
Vivon Sedgwick Restoration Program Director
Adam Morrison Development Manager
Nathan Wickstrum Communications & Outreach Manager
Rhett Walker Grants Manager
Ethan Van Dusen Office Manager
Carrie Drevenstedt Development Database Coordinator
Christine Gau Land Protection Specialist
Linda Wilkin Preserve Manager
Keith Brooks Land Steward
Sophie McLean Native Plant Specialist & Nursery Manager
Claire Woolson Rewild Ojai & Volunteer Coordinator
Martin Schenker Restoration Field Crew Manager
Madison Moore Nursery Assistant & Restoration Field Crew
Caden Crawford Restoration Field Crew
Celeste Ayala Nursery Intern
Lilac Feliciano Nursery Intern
Mission:
To protect and restore the natural landscapes of the Ojai Valley forever.
Join OVLC for a locally sourced farm-to-table dinner by SunDance Catering and Sweets, live music, a photo booth, beer from Topa Topa Brewing Co., spirits from Ventura Spirits, wine, a virtual auction, and a paddle raise. When the sun sets, we’ll enjoy a collection of films that highlight conservation and our connection to the natural world.
Reserve a table for 10 at a special rate, buy individual tickets, or sponsor the event for a table plus exclusive perks!
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENING
• Locally sourced farm-to-table dinner
• A special collection of films
STAY CONNECTED WITH OVLC: OVLC.ORG
FIND US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
Cover photo by Caden Crawford
• Beer donated by Topa Topa Brewing Co. and Spirits by Ventura Spirits
• Live Music by Par Avion
• Virtual Auction
• Paddle Raise
• Ticket to Saturday’s show
LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS AT OVLC.ORG
FROM THE DIRECTOR
OVLC launched Rewild Ojai about two years ago and the community reception has been tremendous. The term “rewild” has come to mean many things. Typically, “rewilding” efforts are really targeted at the recovery of charismatic wildlife species like wolves, peregrine falcon or beavers. The direct and ancillary benefits from these efforts are well documented and successful rewilding projects can lead to landscape scale transformations.
In more urban and suburban settings, rewilding often focuses on replacing our ever-present non-native landscapes with native plants. The central outcome is to re-establish populations of the native plants (or micro-habitats) that native insects, birds and mammals all co-evolved with, thereby creating pockets that help biodiversity thrive during a time of remarkable stresses. The premise is that if the base of the food chain is back for all of the insect pollinators and other invertebrates, then the larger animals will have more patches of habitat to rely on. OVLC partnered with the Ventura County Resource Conservation District to plant ½ acre of native habitat at the Ventura River Steelhead Preserve. I am pleased to report that the California
thrashers have moved into the newly created habitat. The thrashers used to only ever be up on the hill but now spend lots of time in the newly established native habitat. I am also pleased to report that mule deer, California quail and several other bird species are routine sightings in the new patch of native habitat and just today we saw a coyote hanging out in there!
A recent journal article on rewilding efforts observes that ours is not a world of wilderness and nonwilderness. Rather, habitat exists on a continuum of suitability for native species. We can and are making a difference by “going native” in our yards. Research is also confirming that rewilding efforts in more urban settings leads to deeper connections and engagement to our natural world. Ideally, this further leads to stronger and more steadfast support for the benefits of preserving our natural capital while we still can.
Tom Maloney, Executive Director
RIVERVIEW TRAILHEAD REDESIGN
If you have been by the Riverview Trailhead lately, you will have noticed a fresh new look.
This trailhead has been in need of major updates for years. Following years of leasing the property, we secured full ownership last year and prioritized enhancing the trailhead as a key first step.
The major goals were to improve the parking area, correct drainage issues, replace the old fencing, and consolidate all trailhead signage and the kiosk around a single, improved trailhead entrance.
Years of erosion had caused considerable damage to the trailhead and adjacent banks leading down to the river bottom. To address this, all existing infrastructure and fencing were removed, and the parking area was regraded to direct water runoff toward a newly installed culvert at the rear of the trailhead. The hillside below, which had experienced substantial erosion, was also repaired and compacted around the new drainage location.
The newly regraded and re-fenced parking area allowed us to designate head-in parking to accommodate a few more vehicles and discourage the haphazard array of vehicles that had become commonplace.
With the newly consolidated infrastructure, we are able to better funnel all trailhead visitors through a single entrance that includes our maps, signage, rules, bike bells and dog waste bags. We also installed a wooden trailhead box, as a deterrent against the motorcycles that are not allowed on the preserves. While this may pose an added challenge for some of our equestrian visitors,
the change is already proving effective in reducing the number of unauthorized vehicles entering the area.
This trailhead box was modeled after a design used by the United States Forest Service, but we opted to build it out of wooden railroad ties rather than steel pipes, in order to be a little softer and more gracious to the horse hooves as they pass through it. Just inside the trailhead, we added a large boulder to be used as an equestrian mounting block.
Trailheads are where our urban and natural environments meet, and one of the most significant changes we’ve implemented at Riverview, on a trial basis, is the complete removal of trash bins. High use leads to high waste. As more people enjoy the preserves, bins fill quickly and managing them daily is not practical or the best use of our limited resources.
Our trash bins have collected everything from broken beach chairs and household chemicals to fish carcasses, construction debris, human waste, and just about anything visitors decide to leave behind from their vehicles. Contrary to what many assume, trash bins can actually lead to more litter, not less. When bins overflow or are misused, waste ends up on the ground or scattered by wind and animals. This has proven to invite rodents and rattlesnakes who love to shop and live in these bins. Rodents chew through the trash bags, making it difficult to cleanly and thoroughly remove the soggy contents. We want to significantly reduce the interaction between wildlife and this debris, and also thereby decrease the possibility of the spread of disease between both humans and animals.
This includes a wide variety of bacteria, viruses (hantavirus and rabies), and other pathogens.
Stewardship starts with each of us. These lands stay clean and healthy when everyone takes responsibility for what they bring in by packing it out. We now provide environmentally friendly compostable dog waste bags. Please use them, as cleaning up after your dog is a preserve rule, and remember to take your bagged waste home with you. By packing out your trash, you help keep this place thriving and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
NEW BICYCLE PARKING COMING SOON!
The demand for bicycle parking is increasing and we want to accommodate that. Numerous preserve visitors bicycle to the trailheads, then search for a place to lock their bikes before hiking in. Random bicycle parking frequently blocks pedestrian, equestrian, and vehicle access, and a new rack should help alleviate this issue. We are currently in the process of designing new bicycle racks with a local metal artist for installation at Riverview Trailhead. Stay tuned; I think you will be impressed by the result.
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
As cooler, moister weather arrives this fall, we will begin planting native plants around the trailhead to help control erosion, crowd out invasive plant species and restore these disturbed areas. We will include only native plants from our OVLC nursery, utilizing specimens propagated from cuttings and seeds from our local preserve flora. If you’d like to help plant new native species in the fall, sign up to volunteer at ovlc.org/volunteer.
As future budget allows, we intend to install an automatic gate, similar to what we have at the other trailheads, to prevent this location from being a draw for after-hours visitors
Do you know why we have the preserves closed at night? It is to give nocturnal wildlife a chance to roam and feed without human disturbance. Our nighttime friends include mountain lions, bears, bats, raccoons, owls, skunks, rodents, opossums, coyotes, bobcats, and many others, each playing a unique role in the delicate balance of our ecosystem.
A few of these Riverview Trailhead changes, like bicycle racks, reorganized infrastructure with motorcycle deterrent entrances, and trash bin elimination, if successful, will be slated for future implementation at other trailheads.
Thank you for bearing with us during the trailhead construction as we worked to make improvements. A heartfelt thank you to Nick Wingate and his team from Wingate Earthworks for their outstanding work and generous donation of time and effort, which helped us reopen the trailhead quickly during a busy season. We also want to extend special thanks to one of
our talented volunteers, who prefers to remain anonymous, for designing the new bike racks, which are still in progress. A huge thank you to all our dedicated volunteers who braved the heat to bring this project to completion.
We are especially honored to have partnered with members of the Chumash, Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, who joined us on-site throughout the project in a monitoring role. This land is sacred to them, and their presence reflects a deep, ongoing connection to this place. We are grateful for the opportunity to work together in a spirit of respect and collaboration as we continue to protect and honor the land.
Keith Brooks, Land Steward
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
IN MEMORY OF
Betsy Vanleit from Pat & Steve Edwards
June Hill from Jon & Mindy Hill
Matthew Stanley Moir In memory of my son from Nancy Moir
Michael D. Hermes & Scott Davis, M.D. from Elizabeth Hermes
Randy Doll from Chris Prendergast
Thomas MacCalla from Jean Kilmurray MacCalla
Tom & Dot Horton from Jean Meckauer
IN HONOR
OF
Daren Magee from Connor Humphreys
Garry George Happy birthday! from George & Amanda Ball
Keith & Carissa McConnell from Butch McConnell
Larry Vejtasa from Kendra Vejtasa Mallory, Brian, and Poppy Warner May the meadows and creatures continue to hold you close. from Jennifer Azlant
Roderick Greene from beloved wife, Joyce Greene
Trisha Munro Happy Birthday Miss Trisha! from Jennifer de la Torre
Acknowledgments: 5/19/25-8/11/2025
WELCOME NEW DONORS!
Alexa MacMurray
Andrea Bent
Andrew Chisena
Brian Sweetland
Carrie Miller
Catherine Siphron
Chris & Caroline Spain
Deborah Servi
Douglas Lippoldt
Eben Sterling
Harry Payne
Jennifer Glassman
Jessi Campbell
Kathryn Greenbaum
Laura Dellanno
Marinda Melonson
Michael Dunn
Robert Mather
Roberto Garcia
When you add native plants to your garden, you join the movement to build habitat connectivity and increase climate resilience in the Ojai Valley—and you will see the life that fills your garden. Be a leader and join us to Rewild Ojai.
Ronald Noe & Courtney Delancey
Sara Faulstich
Scott Daigre
Sean Green
Stephen Burns
Tim Engels
Toshi Barnes
From: 5/19/25-8/11/2025
from 5/19/25-8/11/2025
WHAT MAKES OJAI HOME?
I am an Ojaian, born and raised. Summertime always makes me particularly nostalgic, since I grew up swimming in the pools of the Ventura River, driving to Bates Beach when it was too hot to do anything else, and picking fruit from friends’ trees.
As a teenager, the closeness of Ojai felt claustrophobic. I couldn’t wait to see the world and moved away as soon as I graduated from Ojai’s Nordhoff High School, first for university in Los Angeles and then for a job in Tokyo.
During the muggy Japanese summers, filled with monsoons and typhoons, the stark contrast between the ever-damp jungle of the Japanese mountains and the much drier shrublands of the California mountains clashed inside me. Despite the novelty of my new home, I yearned for the smell of sage as I hiked to the river to take refuge from Ojai’s dusty, dry heat under lush alders and sycamores. As I reflected on my time away, more than anything, Ojai’s wild spaces make this place home.
As much as our human community defines the valley, so does this ecological community—the plants, animals, insects, mountains, and creeks. The scruffy sages and buckwheat on our southern hills, the silvery willows and prickly cocklebur in our creeks, and the brambling snowberry and wild rose under old oaks in our canyons make this place Ojai; they make this place my home.
Try to imagine an Ojai full of Joshua trees or redwoods—though I’d rather not. This place becomes somewhere else; it’s no longer Ojai. Without these ecological neighbors, so to speak, Ojai is no longer the place I love.
After years of drought, fire, and flood—and with even more extreme weather predicted in the future—our ecological neighbors need us more than ever. We can welcome them back into the valley by connecting habitat and creating safe haven in our own backyards. Already, many of my human neighbors have been hard at work, planting native gardens and restoring weedy fields for these ecological neighbors, becoming active members of Ojai’s ecological community. In the last year and a half, over 80 acres of native gardens have been certified through OVLC’s Rewild Ojai program. So, I invite you to join this ecological community and help us rewild Ojai.
There are so many ways to get involved with Rewild Ojai. You don’t have to know where to start. Join the Rewild Ojai mailing list, learn more about caring for native plants, access free landscaping plans, or stop by our Rewild Ojai office hours. However you choose to participate, you’ll be helping restore the wild heart of this place we all call home.
Claire Woolson, Rewild Ojai & Volunteer Coordinator
Photo by Nathan Wickstrum
WEAVING FIRE INTO THE LAND
The Ventura River and San Antonio Creek outstretch to one another at the confluence; you can see the water reach into the sky through the leaves of cottonwoods and palms of sycamore. In this canyon, the oaks and walnuts walk downstream to meet the river—hand in hand with sagescrub. Between the communion of plant associations lies Ventura River Steelhead Preserve (VRSP). The 80-acre preserve is below Santa Ana Road, and lightly slopes down to the river. Though surrounded by biodiversity, there are about 25 acres of open field filled with a tangle of invasive species, primarily yellow star thistle (Centarea solstitialis and Centarea melitensis), milk thistle (Silybum marianum), and annual grasses. These species not only prickle canvas work pants and wool socks, but they tell us that a disturbance regime was present, which is not conducive to native habitat. This regime has paused in this state. Invasive species often create conditions that inhibit succession of other habitats, unlike native vegetation communities that change and flow with natural disturbance.
As restorationists, we must access the land’s history and current conditions to weave the plan for its future. OVLC is evaluating the VRSP for a variety of reasons. We want to restore it to offer beneficial ecosystem function, as well as shift the vegetative
fuels. Remnant sycamores (Platanus racemosa) and sagescub (Eriogonum fasciculatum, Lepidospartum squamatum, Ceanothus spinosus) speckle the 100 year floodplain. Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), and California black walnuts ( Juglans californica) zipper old cattle fences. A perfect window into what can be.
Broadcast prescribed fire was chosen to explore an interaction between native succession and invasive weed management. This kind of planned, careful fire—what we call ‘good fire’—mimics natural processes that once shaped these landscapes. We targeted prescribed fire when the star thistle was bolting—to reduce seed production. We followed the burns with seeding native fire-fellowing annuals—red maids (Calandrinia menzesii ), small fescue (Festuca microstachys), and arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus). This was a three year burn in collaboration with Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association, University Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, and Cal Fire. Without these partners, we would not have been able to weave good fire into the landscape.
Drone photos by Wade Sedgwick
The first year was a successful burn, followed by native seeding in research plots. On blackened soil we seeded in the rain, flinging handfuls across the plots with 5-gallon buckets. The rain drove the seed into earth, where we saw them germinate the following spring. As we monitored across the field, curiously, the red maids (Calandrinia menzesii ) sprawled outside of the plots. Was this a mistake? Did we seed outside designated areas? No, it was the seed bank, awakened by the broadcast fire. The magenta flowers colored the sandy soil.
On June 6 and July 14 of this year, partners applied good fire to 20 acres of disturbed habitat. The landscape had strips of unburned research plots—paired with seeded and unseeded plots. When the marine layer peeled back, showing morning rays to the north, fire was applied as a backing fire. It crept and consumed annual grasses as the fuel and girdled the thistle. Thistle seed pods cracked, fell off, without viable seed within them.
This third year of the project was supported by over 200 volunteer hours. The community helped scrape, weed whack, and
prepare the control lines around each research plot. Even after the burn, volunteers aided in mop up. With a heat-sensing drone overhead, we targeted embers across the site to ensure a safe finish to the prescribed burn. We thank our community volunteers, who stood side by side with researchers and fire professionals, proving that stewardship is something we do together.
Seeding will occur in fall 2025 and spring entails more vegetation monitoring. Once data collection is completed by UCANR and OVLC, data analysis will begin. Soil samples, fire intensity, and vegetation data will be analyzed. This data can be used at OVLC to inform future broadcast burns, and research results can outline the future management plans for VRSP. This project doesn’t just help OVLC, it provides answers for land managers across Ventura County who are asking how to safely and effectively bring good fire back.
Sophie McLean, Native Plant Specialist & Nursery Manager
Drone thermal imaging of this summer’s initial burn
Sophie on the drip torch!
ANNUAL
Fiscal Year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) was a year of steady progress and big milestones—many of them years in the making. With your support, we deepened our roots in the Ojai Valley and built momentum for the work ahead.
VENTURA RIVER ACQUISITIONS CAMPAIGN GOAL MET!
Thanks to overwhelming support from our community, we wrapped up fundraising for the Ventura River Land Acquisition Campaign, reaching our $4.1 million goal to support the longterm protection and care of 234 acres along the Ventura River. This was a huge team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped us get across the finish line.
BROIDA BRIDGE - A LONG-AWAITED CONNECTION
This year, we completed the Broida Bridge at the Ojai Meadows Preserve—a long-held promise finally realized. The bridge connects key trails across the Happy Valley Drain and the two halves of the Ojai Meadows Preserve—making the area more accessible for all visitors. It took years of permitting, planning and fundraising, but the result is something our entire community can be proud of. Special thanks to the donors who made it possible and Mike Krumpschmidt for his commitment and tireless efforts in urging the project forward.
REWILD OUR RIVER AND RESTORATION INITIATIVES
We launched Rewild Our River—an effort to tackle invasive Arundo donax and restore native habitat throughout the Ventura River watershed. With support from Cal Fire and the Cutting the Green Tape program, we’ve begun securing the permits needed to take on this work at scale. It’s an ambitious effort, but one that will pay off for people and wildlife alike.
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHTS
Volunteers logged over 6,312 hours, breaking previous records and showing up for everything from weeding and planting to river cleanups and trail building to newsletter mailings and event support.
We held our second Native Garden Tour, drawing hundreds of visitors and sharing inspiring landscapes that support native plants and biodiversity.
Photo by Ethan Van Dusen
ANNUAL REPORT 2025 FISCAL YEAR
REMEMBERING BETSY
We were heartbroken by the passing of board member Betsy Vanleit this year. Betsy was a thoughtful leader, a passionate advocate for native plants, and a tireless volunteer. We honored her with a community oak planting at the Ojai Meadows Preserve—a space she helped steward and cared deeply about—and continue her legacy through rewilding.
10 YEARS OF MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Mountainfilm on Tour in Ojai—a decade of celebrating stories that move, challenge, and inspire. What began as a small gathering has grown into a beloved tradition, bringing people together each fall to explore themes of adventure, activism, and the natural world. Over the years, the event has raised critical funds for OVLC while creating space for community connection. We’re grateful to everyone who has made Mountainfilm a success—from sponsors and volunteers to the thousands who show up each year.
WHAT’S NEXT
As we begin Fiscal Year 2026, we’re looking to protect significant properties, take on major restoration work in our creeks and river, expand our Native Plant Nursery, and keep creating opportunities for our community to learn, connect, and care for the valley they love. None of this would be possible without your support—thank you for being part of this growing community of people who care deeply about the future of the Ojai Valley.
The Rewild Ojai garden certification program took off, with 27 gardens certified in the past year alone, now totaling 80 acres across 41 certified gardens.
Our All About Ojai series continued to grow, bringing fascinating speakers and deepening our connections to the ecology of the Valley we all love.
THANK YOU
TO OUR FISCAL YEAR^ 2025 DONORS
^ FY 2025: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
* Deceased
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Allan & Joyce West
Allen Vail
Allyn Wilde & Kathy Leary-Wilde
Amanda Coplan
Amgen Inc.
Andrew & Carmen Seligman
Andrew & Sharon Engel
Andy Brucker & Amy Bruckmeier
Ann & Neil Havlik
Anne Ricketts
Anne Wilder
Anthony & Kathan Glassman
April Duncan
Ashley Berry
Ashley Steinbach
Audrey Bueno
Barbara Feild
Patricia Bailey
Patricia Lunetta
Patrick Muller
Ruth Walker
Tanya Kovaleski
Whitney Smith-Morales
OVLC Board President Stefanie Coeler and her husband, Willi, out for a ride at the Ventura River Preserve. Photo by Ethan Van Dusen
BY THE NUMBERS
47 new acres protected
48 acres of active restoration
25 acres of Arundo removed
1 Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP) approved, covering 2,500 acres of riparian areas. First programmatic SERP in the state!
Barbers Carr
Barry & Donna Rabe
Bernard Yin & Rebecca Ramirez
Bert & Lanae Carter
Beth Dorenkamp
Beth L. Wickstrum
Bob Levin & Lisa Solinas
Bonnalynn & Charles Dean
Bonnie LaForge
Boston Scientific
Brad & Jeanette Morrice
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Bram Sercu
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Callie Little
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Carey & Derek Poultney
Carl Cooper
Carol & Ken Leandro
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Carol LaBriola
Carol Nicholson
Carol Shore
Carolyn & Jamie Bennett*
Carrie & Greg Drevenstedt
Catherine Hahn
Catherine Meek
Cathi & James Nye
Cathie Ferro
Charles See
Charles Templer
Charmaine & Michael Hartnett
Ched Myers & Elaine Enns
Chris & Anna P. Rhoda
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Cindy & Lynn Mullins
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Claire & Brad Brian
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Courtney & Walter Lamb
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Deb Coss
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Debra & Craig Walker
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Gillian McManus
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Gloria Gerace
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Grace Lin
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Greg & Tanya Mull
4 corpsmembers from CDFW’s Watershed Stewards Program
Greg Getzinger
Hattie & Jake Vail
Heather Meyer
Heather Zimmerman
Heidi & Austin McElvaney
Heidi & Glenn Kalison
Heritage Financial
Holly LaRue
Howard and Carole
Brent Foundation
Imogen Daly
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Jan Reason
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Jens & Laura Riege
Jeremy Kottler
Jerome Weingartner
Jill & Patrick Swann
Jill Cohen
Jim & Robyn Halverson
Jim, Tania, Logan & Jeremy Kirchner
24 acres of prescribed burns
Jo-Anne & Harold Guy
Joel & Jeanette Berkovitz
Joel Moody
John & Jessica Nava
John & Laurie Bodine
John Horne
John Town
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Jon & Mindy Hill
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Jonathan & Linda Lambert
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Josh & Zoe Loeb
Joyce Sattler
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Julie & Bo Manson
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Juliet Henderson & Stephanie Thomas
June Behar
Kara Partridge Ralston & Darrell Ralston
Karen Palm
Karen Schmidt
Karen Wilson*
Kate Holt
Katherine & Brooks Guyer
Katherine Regester
Kathi & Mark Connally
Kathleen & Raul Kottler
Kathryn Carlson
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Kathy & Ken McAlpine
Kathy & Larry Yee
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Khaled & Sheryl Al-Awar
Kim & Steven Rapholz
Kim & Troy Hardcastle
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La Morenita Tacos
Larry & D’AddarioCandace
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Leonard Nunney
Leslie Golden
Lin Coleman & Paul Massey
Lind Carr
Linda Fisher
Linda Granat
Linda J Lemmon
Lisa & Stephen Duncan
Lisa Garber
1,300ft of new trail miles built/rerouted
Lori Anaya
Lori Cleary
Lucinda & Joel Mittleman
Lucy Capuano
Lynn Brookhouser
Lynn Rimkus
Lyra & Brett Buyan
Malloy Family
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Margaret & Duane Williamson
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Maria & Tyler Barrell
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Markow Family Foundation
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Marty & Diane Crowley
Mary McConnel
Mary McGrath & Richard Simon
Matthew Dunphy & Veronica Csiza
Maureen & John Hannah
Maureen Tunney & John Oldach
Meg Goodwin
Melinda Busch
Melissa Olsen
Michael & Anne Thomas
Michael & Denise Small
Michael & Heidi Bradbury
Michael & Ramelle Pulitzer
847 volunteers helped this past year
6,312 volunteer hours logged
50 events hosted
Michael Israel
Michael Marks
Michael Price & Leslie Clark
Michael Zierhut
Michel Stevens
Michelle Pineiro
Microsoft
Miguel Burch & Liv Hagstrom
Mike Briley
Mike Matthews
Mike Steinbaum
Mike Whalen
Monica Pavez
Mosie Trewhitt
Nadia Youngson
Nancy Iveland
Nancy Settle
Natalie Gray
Natalie Ilarraza
Natalie Stone
Nicholas Porter
Nick Bobroff
Nomi Morris
Ojai Valley Community Church
Pam Tonucci
Patricia Hardman
Patrick & Kathleen Taylor
Paul & Alisa Jenkin
Paul & Kim Kaufman
Paul Mithra
Paul Ramirez
Pegi & Jeffrey Skoff
Penny Wheat
Peter Cambier &
Sue Atwood
Phil Simon & Gwyer Schuyler
Pierre & Beverly Schuberth
Prajesh Acharya
Priscilla L. Brennan
Rachel Davis
Rachel Haymon & Ken Macdonald
Rachel Kondor &
Brian Segee
Rajasekaran
Ramasubramanian
Randi Gayle & Jeff Nelson
Raymond Bransfield
RDK Land, LLC
Rebecca Benard
Rebecca Swift
Rene Briggs
Rex & Susie Meach
Richard & Carole Keller
Richard Ingles
Richard Rhone &
Cynthia Fitzpatrick
Richard Sven Shelgren & Bonnie Rose
Rick & Robin Beers
Rob & Antoinette Tivy
Rob Broesamle
Robert Kyle
Robyn L. Posin
Roger Beerworth &
Barbara Parsons
Ron Stark
Ronald & Charlotte Williams
Ronald Pruitt
Rosalie Mason
Rosalie Zabilla
RoseAnn Hill
Roy Hooper
Russell Beckley
Sally Carless
Sally Lemire
Sam & Nicole Lemke
Samuel Cornwell
Sandra Knauer & Brian Adolph
Sarah & Greg DelVecchio
Sarah Yates
Sasha Heslip
Scott Ripple
Shana Gadley
Sharon Rockefeller
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Shaun & Tamara Davis
Sierra Alder
Siobhan McDevitt
Sonny Ward & Michael Lombardo
Stacey Platt
Stephanie & Don Midgett
Steve Bennett & Leslie Ann Ogden
Steve Holanov
Steve Offerman
Stewart Sheppard & Elisabeth Blaisdell
Sue Gilbreth
Susan & McCullochDwayne
Susan Gary
Suzanne & Erik Feldman
Sydney Robertson & Sam Wallace
Tamara & Greg Haggard
Teresa Rooney
2,000 people attended Mountainfilm on Tour
Terry Beckett & Edwards-BeckettJoy
Tessa Shuler
The Balina Family
The Ojai Vineyard
The Roides
The Vondriska Family
Theresa & Allen Bridges
Theresa Gorey
Thomas Hicks
TI Texas Instruments
Tia & Pat Marshall
Tina Pukonen
Tod & Liz Cossairt
Todd & Jennifer Soller
Toni & Dave Johnson
Tracy Mandryk
Trey Demmond, Kathryn McEachern & Jonathan Demmond
Trish Whalen
Wendy Hilgers
William Fleming
William Spina
Yvonne & Chris Besvold
Zach Williams
Zophar & Luke Robinson
Stewards
$250+
Airdrie Kincaid
Alex Matranga
Amy Chen
Andrew & Erin
Rachel Snett
Andrew Gilman
Anne & Chad Carper
1 new bridge (Brodia Bridge)
Anne Fitzgerald & David Chase
Anne Kaplan
Anne Kellenberger
Barbara Bowman & Sol de la Torre Bueno
Barnhart & Barnhart
Insurance
Bob & Bonnie Berkow
Bonnie Bartling
Bonnie Sessions
Brian & Amy Stark
Brian Sordyl
Bruce & Patricia Kuebler
Camille & Brian Holly
Cathy Diorio
Charles Chang & Lauren Hobratsch
Chip & Lori Collins
Chris & Margo Land & Spencer Buddhu
Chris & Mark Marmes
Christi & Dennis Zermeno
Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation
Dan Whelan
Dana Stroh
Daniel Silver
Dave Moon
David & Vicki Hunt
David Wappler
Dawn Havel
DeAnna Reposa
Debora Kirkland
Dennis & Meredy Rice
Dennis & Stacy Allison
Diane & Jim Holland
Diane & John Thomson
75 species of native plants propagated (21% increase in species diversity from FY24)
3,160 plants sold
Dirk Farner & Susan Bloom
Dorthea Atwater & Peter Hay
Down Home Furnishings
Dylan Boeken
Elizabeth Reifsnyder
Erica Helson
Ethan Van Dusen
ExtremeTerrain.com
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Hans & Annika Gruenn
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Howard & Jan Asher
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Ingo & Leslie Schreiber
Jacqueline & Derek
Dammers
Jan Rains
Jane & David Nunnelly
Janice Thomas &
Brian Stafford
Jeff & Debbie Frank
Jenna Strauss
Jennifer Jordan
Day & Joel Fox
Jessica & Rob Donahue
Jim Churchill
Joan Hurak Welborn
Joann Yabrof
John & Caroline Thacher
John & Lindsay McCrea
John & Peggy Russell
John Brooks
Jonathan Berg
10,000 plants grown
Julia Berkeley
Julie & Jeff Mc Manus
Julie Bloomer
Julie Hahn
Karen Kaminsky
Karin & Rod Dingman & Family
Kate & Dave Wilson
Kate & Roger Larramendy-Wright
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Maggie Pfeffer
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Mark & Sara Billings
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Marty & Barbara Pops
Matt & Aubrei Norris
Matt Larrew & Jordana Kaban
Matthew & Nikki Craig
Meggan & Bridget McCarthy
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Charitable Fund
Rachael & Griff Barkley
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McFerron
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Sally Green
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Scott & Jeri Johnson
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Susie & Anthony Tomlinson
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Tricia & Todd Mills
Veronica Turner
Virginia & Peter Aguirre
Virginia & Ted McConnell
Champions
$500+
Adam Eastwood &
Tiffiny Lendrum
Adobe Inc.
2 Nursery Interns 27 gardens certified
Alex & Sarah Sheshunoff
Alice & Richard Matzkin
Allison Stillman
Ann & Steven Sunshine
Anna Getty and Bodhi & Roman Oster
Anthony Ferguson
Ara Guzelimian
Arne Anselm & Michelle Velderrain
Barbara Barry
Betty Iwerks
Bill Evenden
Brad Tully
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Brian Schlaak & Thea Sullivan
Bruce & Linda Nofrey
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California Solar Electric
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Cherie Beers
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Elizabeth Hermes
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Eric Dilks & Lucas
Montealto
Frank Hanson
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Friend’s Ranch
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Neil Jorgensen
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Marti & Dan Reid
Mary Natwick & Larry Scott
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Matt Lavere
Michael & Hannelore Gresser
Michael & Julie McFadden
Michael Sagol
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Michele Sordi
Mike & Jana Wracher
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Morgan Ramirez
Nancy Naftel
Ojai Riders Club
Patrick & Nancy Gallagher
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Paul Rudder
Paula Power & Don Mosley
PayPal Giving Fund
Peak Design
Peggy Howard
Pixie Candle Studio
Polly & Scott Nelson
Richard & Mary Kanatzar
Robert Sloss
Robin Kissell
Roger & Susan Dickens
Ross & Patty Atkinson
Sam Thirion
Sandy & Libby Treadwell
Sharon Cline* & Christine
Cline Bottomley
Sherri Drifka
Soul Body Ojai Healing Arts & Yoga Center
Stephen Glenn
Swanner Physical Therapy
The Glass Man
Professional Window Washing Company, Inc.
Thomas & Janice
McCormick
Timbre Books
Tom & Kerry Weisel
Tom Maloney & Andrea Jones
Trish Hardley
Walter & Julia Hamann
White Family Fund
William & Jan Coultas
Friends of the Ojai Valley
$1,000+
Alan & Carol Saltzman
Nathaniel Cox
34,264 website visits
239 New Donors
2,384 new social media followers
Allison & Jeff Mirkin
Allison Binkowski & John Alden Broome
Alpha Stone Inc.
Amy Schneider
Andrea C Bent Donor
Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole
Annie Nyborg & Matt Brunetti
Anson Williams
Aqua-Flo Supply
Arthur & Judy Vander BANDITS Bandanas
Barbara K. Sorem-Hughlett
Betlock Family Trust
Betsy Vanleit*
Bill & Sherry Loehr
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Bosson CharitableFamilyFund
Brian & Mallory Warner
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Carla Melson
Carol Peterson & Curt Mossestad
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Chevron Humankind
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Etsy
Evander Schley
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Francis Pepper
Herring Imming LLP
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Richard & Kristal DeVillers
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Rotary Club of Ojai West
Sandy Buechley
Scott Bevans & Valerie Dykeman
Scott Warner
Sophia Miles
Stuart Meiklejohn &
Mary Ann O’Connor
Susan Bee
Susanne Wilson
1 Barry Gibb doppelgänger a.k.a. Martin!
1,160 Donors contributed
Suzanne & Phil White
Tania, Tobias & Topa Parker
The John J. Moller Family Foundation
The Stanley and Joyce Black Family Foundation
Thomas Mone
Tobias Parker - General Contractor
Tom Lowe
Tony & Roslyn (Roz) Demaria
Virginia Siegfried & Barry Verga
West Coast Air Conditioning
William Burnside
Wyatt & Claudia Harris
Guardians of the Ojai Valley
$5,000+
Anonymous
Al Stroberg & Betsy Patterson
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Ann & Harry Oppenheimer
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Athletic Brewing Company
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Henry Land Surveying
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Holdfast Collective
James Freeman
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Jerry Maryniuk &
Diane Bertoy
Jessie Hawkins
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Josh & Alicia Holm
Joyce Greene
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Kasey Crown and Dave Comfort, and the Crown Family
Larry Rose & Lisa Larramendy
Laura Lochrane
Lawrence & Leticia Broida
Linda Turner
Lynn Braitman Inspire Fund
Mary M. Downer
Molina Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs.
Victor M. Sher
Names Family Foundation
Ojai Civic Association
Ojai Valley Inn
Ojai Valley RehabilitationWildlife
Patagonia
Peter Adee & Kathryn Paddock
Robert Delaney
Robert Tallyn & Betsy Bachman
Robin Roy & Cathy Zoi
Ruth Lasell & Bob Bonewitz
Samantha Smith
So Hum Foundation
Tay Lesley
The Bill and Ginger Winder Family Foundation
The MOB Shop
The Shanbrom Family Foundation
Tom Tamplin & Michelle Wells
Ventura Spirits Company
Wilo Foundation
Granting Agencies, Institutions, & Partners
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
California Department of Transportation
California Wildlife Conservation Board
State Coastal Conservancy
University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources
Ventura County Resource Conservation District
Ventura County Resource Management Agency, Planning Division
Ventura WatershedCountyProtection
California Council of Land Trusts
Land Trust Alliance
The Nature Conservancy
VOLUNTEER PROFILE
MATTHEW DOWNER—RESTORATION
CREW LEAD
Matthew Downer is the kind of person who quietly puts in the work, never seeking the spotlight but making a big impact all the same. Born and raised in Ojai, he has deep ties to the land he now helps restore. Long before becoming one of OVLC’s first Volunteer Restoration Crew Leads, Matthew had already logged countless hours in the field, lending his steady hands and humble spirit to projects across the valley. With more than 500 volunteer hours to his name, he brings dedication, local knowledge, and a quiet leadership that inspires everyone around him. OVLC Preserve Manager, Linda Wilkin, recently caught up with him to talk about his roots in Ojai, his path to becoming a Restoration Crew Lead, and why giving back to the land matters so much to him.
Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today, Matthew. To start, can you share a little about yourself?
I grew up and have lived most of my life here in Ojai. I enjoy outdoor sports—hiking, backpacking, cycling, climbing—and it’s great that Ojai has so many opportunities for all of those. A big thanks to OVLC for helping make that possible!
Absolutely—the outdoors are the best! Was that what first got you interested in volunteering with OVLC?
I did Boy Scouts as a kid, and there was always a community service aspect to that. Some of my earliest volunteer work came from there—trash cleanups and building kiosks for various places. I think the Eagle Project kiosk I built might still be up at Steckel Park.
As for OVLC, I’d always been curious about what they did—was there trail work or other ways to volunteer? Then one day I got a postcard in the mail saying, “We need volunteers!” I thought, “OK, let’s see what’s involved.” The barrier to entry was really low—it was easy to sign up. That was a little over two years ago.
Nice! I also know you’re a big fan of California native plants. Where did that passion start for you?
Both my parents are highly educated in plant-related fields, so I grew up around people who really knew their plants. We’d go hiking, and they’d teach us the Latin names for native plants. Having that awareness early on definitely sparked my interest.
That’s such a great way to grow up—and most of that was here in Ojai, right?
Yup! On local trails like Shelf and Pratt. My parents had horses and ponies for us kids, so we rode a lot in Horne Canyon and on the Thacher trails. I knew that area well before it became an OVLC preserve.
Was there a plant that really caught your attention back then?
I first got interested in carnivorous plants. There are a few California native species, and they’re just so unexpected when you think about plant life.
I love that. My nephew is into carnivorous plants too—there’s something about kids and plants that eat things! You’re also one of our first Restoration Crew Leads. How did that role come about for you?
Honestly, I just volunteered a lot! Eventually, you asked me to help lead some events, and I thought, “Well, I’m going to be there anyway.” I enjoy being outdoors with other people and building community. It’s a way to give back to a place I get so much enjoyment from.
Let’s talk about the Ojai Meadows Preserve. You’ve been leading projects there to help it thrive. What kind of work has been happening?
A lot of it is invasive species removal—hand weeding, weed-whacking—reducing invasive plants to make space for natives to thrive. The Meadows, like much of OVLC’s land, protects riparian and waterway areas. That’s important because many have disappeared from the valley. For example, in my yard there’s a little barranca where a creek used to be, but now the water is diverted into a storm drain instead of recharging the aquifer. It’s important to reclaim some of that natural flow where we can.
Have you noticed any changes since that work began?
Definitely. If you drive down Highway 33, the difference is striking. On the Conservancy’s side, you see a variety of plants; on the unmanaged side, it’s almost all invasives. That diversity of plants on OVLC’s side supports more birds, mammals, and reptiles—it’s had a huge impact.
It really is such a stark contrast. And it’s great to see the preserve holding strong even next to areas with so many invasive seeds. It used to be all yellow mustard on both sides. Now, the difference is obvious.
Do you remember what the Meadows was like when you were growing up?
Yes, I went to Nordhoff High School, so I was around there a lot. It’s changed so much. Seeing the valley oaks thriving along the highway has been especially rewarding.
Do you have a favorite native plant growing there now?
I’m not great at picking favorites, but the valley oaks really stand out. Once they get big, their canopy is huge, and they support so many other species.
The handful along Nordhoff are gorgeous—probably 200 years old.
Well, and the preserve land is also special in the valley because there are standing and fallen dead trees. This is an important part of a tree’s life cycle. Even after it’s dead, it creates an incredible amount of habitat—woodpeckers nest in it, fungi break it down, insects move in, and all kinds of other creatures benefit.
Oh yes—and our vulture friends. There’s a dead tree in one of the restoration fields that’s always littered with bones and other remains from their feasts.
Exactly! Vultures are incredible birds. Another nice thing is that we don’t rake or blow leaves on the preserves, which is important
Matthew rescuing cuttings of native plants after a day of trail work.
for soil health. The leaf mulch supports salamanders, millipedes, and many other species.
For anyone inspired by this, what’s the best way to get involved?
It’s easy—just visit OVLC’s website and sign up. We have a couple of events each week. The preserves are special because you don’t have to pay to enter, and there aren’t many places like that left. Hopefully, having places where people can just be in nature encourages more appreciation for it.
One last thing—you’ve also rescued and transplanted native plants from trail reroute areas. Can you share how that works?
On a few trail projects, there were plants right in the planned path. I went ahead of the crew and dug them up. Luckily, we had some rainy years, so I could leave them in a seasonal creek until I replanted them—things like peonies, black sage, currants, and soaproot. It’s always nice to save a plant when you can.
That’s wonderful. Matthew, thank you for sharing your knowledge and for all the work you do to keep our preserves healthy and thriving.
TERRESTRIAL GASTROPODS: SHOULDERBAND SNAILS
Defined by their charismatic swirls and cryptic nature, terrestrial snails are one of the most overlooked members of local ecosystems. Restricted in their distribution, most land snails are endemic to the regions they occupy. Found tucked within sycamore bark and in nooks of sandstone talus, genera such as Helminthoglypta are represented by only a few species in the Ojai region. One species in particular, H. willetti, is found in oak woodlands and riparian zones throughout the watershed. They rely on fallen limbs of established trees for refuge, where they conceal themselves in moist lignin. Their sedentary nature proves
them useful as indicators of habitat quality. We are eager to begin work this fall to improve local forest health by the removal of non-native species like giant reed ( Arundo donax), Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) and tree of heaven ( Ailanthus altissima) and replacement with native plant communities such as the California sycamore - coast live oak alliance in hopes of restoring habitat suitability for species like the shoulderband snail.
Martin Schenker, Restoration Field Crew Manager
Photos by Martin Schenker
California sycamore (Platanus racemosa)
STAFF & BOARD CHANGES
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER, ANNIE NYBORG
Annie is the Head of Environmental and Social Impact for Peak Design, a product design company and certified B Corp. She oversees the company’s environmental and social initiatives including supply chain standards, government affairs, 1% for the Planet giving, and decarbonization. Annie is particularly passionate about public lands conservation and restoration. She has served on the board of CalWild, a California based conservation organization, and is the current board chair of The Conservation Alliance, working on national conservation campaigns. Born in Ojai, Annie returned home after spending 13 years in San Francisco. She is happy to be back in the place she loves most, enjoying the slower pace of life and beautiful trails with her family.
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER, JIM FINCH
Jim Finch is a third-generation Ojai farmer, continuing a family legacy that began in 1952. After earning a degree in agricultural economics from UC Davis, he worked for Dole and Wonderful Citrus before returning home in 1996 to farm alongside his father. Today, Jim manages 650 acres of citrus and avocados from Piru to Ojai, including some of the same groves his family planted decades ago. He has served as chairman of the Saticoy Lemon Association, sits on the Sunkist board, and is active in local water agencies. A graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program, Jim also served on the boards of Monica Ros School and the UC Davis Foundation. He and his wife, Kristen, a veterinarian at Thacher School, raised their two children in the Ojai groves. In his free time, Jim enjoys mountain biking and skiing.
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER, TIM RHONE
Tim Rhone brings a blend of conservation and business experience to our board. Since 2009, he has co-owned The Mob Shop in downtown Ojai and previously spent eight years with Patagonia in retail and marketing. Raised on a Pennsylvania dairy farm, Tim developed an early passion for sustainability that grew through hands-on conservation work with The Gaia Institute and the creation of Patagonia National Park in Chile. He holds a Certificate in Green Energy Management from SDSU and has studied at several universities. An advocate for sustainable practices and cycling, Tim lives in Ojai with his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, Reva.
WELCOME CADEN CRAWFORD, RESTORATION FIELD CREW
Caden grew up on a nursery in the mountains of Montana, where his love for plants and working the land first took root. That early connection shaped a lifelong respect for natural spaces and a deep appreciation for the work it takes to care for them. After years spent photographing landscapes and wildlife throughout the West, his path led him to Ojai, where he was captivated by the valley’s diverse ecology. Now, as part of OVLC’s restoration field crew, he’s committed to protecting native habitats and the species that depend on them. When he’s not in the field, Caden is usually outside getting lost with his camera, continuing to learn from the place he’s come to call home.
VENTURA RIVER SPONSORS
Las Palmas de Ojai
OJAI MEADOWS SPONSORS
Henry Land Surveying
Patagonia
Topa Topa Brewing Company
STEELHEAD SPONSORS
High on Kennels
Travis Agricultural Construction, Inc.
SAN ANTONIO CREEK SPONSORS
Aqua-Flo Supply
BANDITS Bandanas
Herring Imming LLP
Ojai Valley Inn
The MOB Shop
PARKWAY SPONSORS
Alpha Stone Inc.
Firestick Pottery
Laughing Dog Ranch LLC
James Jones Films
Jim and Rob’s Fresh Grill
McDaniel Insurance Services
Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company
Stay Wild Ventures
Tobias Parker—General Contractor
West Coast Air Conditioning
IN-KIND SPONSORS
California 101 Guide
Custom Printing
Hutchinson and Bloodgood
Maslina Ranch
Ojai Quarterly
Ojai Valley Directory
Ojai Valley News
Make a lasting impact on Ojai’s natural beauty by including the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy in your estate plans. A bequest allows you to contribute to the future while maintaining control of your assets now. Whether through your will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy, or financial accounts, naming OVLC as a beneficiary ensures your values continue to inspire and protect Ojai for generations to come.
Learn more at ovlc.org/donate
CREATURE FEATURE
You’ve probably seen them circling above the valley, wings held in a shallow V, wobbling a bit as they ride the thermals. Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), nature’s quiet custodians, are often misunderstood or overlooked, but they play a vital role in the ecosystem. By removing carrion before it can spread disease, they recycle nutrients back into the land and keep the whole system in balance.
With their featherless red heads and impressive six-foot wingspans, these graceful gliders are scavengers, drawn not by movement but by scent. Unlike most birds, which rely heavily on vision to hunt or forage, turkey vultures are guided by invisible trails of scent rising from the hillsides, riverbeds, and roads below. Their nostrils are perforated, open slits that allow air to flow straight through. There is no sniffing involved, just steady airflow while they glide. That constant breeze across their beak gives them one of the strongest senses of smell in the bird world, making them incredibly efficient at locating what’s been left behind.
Their role mirrors that of their rarer cousin, the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). While condors are larger
and federally protected, they share similar behaviors and face overlapping threats like lead poisoning, often from animals that were shot and left behind. Even though turkey vultures are more adaptable and widespread, they’re still at risk. On nearby public lands where hunting is permitted, such as Los Padres National Forest, switching to copper ammunition is a simple step that helps protect all scavengers, from condors to the vultures we see overhead every day.
So next time you spot one drifting in circles, take a second look. That bird isn’t just coasting. It’s doing the dirty work that keeps this place clean. You won’t hear much from them aside from the occasional hiss or grunt, but their presence speaks volumes. These aerial recyclers remind us that every species has a role, and every piece of the puzzle matters.
To learn more about wildlife species that call the Ojai Valley home, visit our website at ovlc.org/wildlife.
Caden Crawford, Restoration Field Crew
Photo by Caden Crawford
PO Box 1092 • Ojai, CA 93024
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