OPEN SPACES
Quarterly Newsletter
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stefanie Coeler President
Sandy Buechley Vice President
Martha Groszewski Treasurer
Sarah Sheshunoff Secretary
Bret Bradigan
Dave Comfort
Fiona Hutton
Jerry Maryniuk
Lizzy Chouinard
Lu Setnicka
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
Anthony Gomez Restoration Field Crew
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.
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Cover photo by Nathan Wickstrum
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FROM THE DIRECTOR
Together with Mountainfilm on Tour in the fall, the Rewild Ojai Native Garden Tour in the spring is becoming a hallmark of OVLC’s seasonal calendar. We are thrilled to see the community embrace the intention and practice of “going native” in their yards! In its first two years, the tour has concluded at the beautiful Birdsong Ranch, which highlights the full breadth and beauty of what native plants contribute to a well-designed landscape.
So, in anticipation of another great Garden Tour, my wife and I invited close friends from LA who are dedicated native gardeners. As the owners of a yard that has been featured in Theodore Payne Foundation’s native garden tour, they were excited to come see what Rewild Ojai had to offer.
Unlike many of OVLC’s other events, a fair number of folks come from out of town for the Garden Tour. However, it was a totally unexpected visitor from much farther away that got the morning off to an auspicious start! At about 6:30 in the morning, as I was getting ready to go to Birdsong to help set up, I started hearing from birders from LA that they would be up in our area to see “the bird.” Having been entertaining the night before, I had no idea what they were talking about and checked eBird to see what was in the area.
Amazingly, someone had reported a swallow-tailed kite the night before from Birdsong Ranch! As can be seen in the photo, there is no confusing a swallow-tailed kite for any other bird! I alerted Lizzy Chouinard (OVLC Board member and our host at Birdsong
Ranch) that the bird had been reported and got a pithy and incredulous response. This is understandable since this bird, which was refound and watched at Birdsong for over an hour, represents only the third occurrence in California for that species. Accordingly, by the time I drove over to Birdsong, birders were lining the road!
Birds so far out of range are referred to as vagrants and for many birders represent the pinnacle of the birding experience. For me the birding pinnacle is witnessing migration in full swing. Many Garden Tour participants saw the bird and questioned whether this wanderer was a consequence of our changing climate or some other environmental factor. There are many theories on the causes of vagrancy in birds but perhaps the most hopeful is the theory that vagrants are the outer fringes of an expanding population. Less hopeful is the thought that habitat destruction causes these individuals to need to explore further for suitable habitat. Conservation and restoration of habitat is therefore important for our native birds.
The assembled birders all watched the bird circle up and head south. The last report of a sighting was from downtown Ventura where someone saw it heading south over Victoria Avenue.
Tom Maloney, Executive Director
Swallow-tailed kite
Tom Maloney (center back), OVLC’s Executive Director, and his wife Andrea Jones (center front) celebrate a successful morning of birding with friends at the Garden Tour—still glowing after spotting a swallow-tailed kite.
THE EVOLUTION OF CEANOTHUS
Ceanothus, aka California lilac, dapples our mountains and hills with a multitude of diversity. On the cusp of spring, the flowers burst with color and scream of place and existence—hearkening to the clicks and ticks of winter’s cues. Its tall stature billows over trails like an elven tunnel in chaparral landscapes and speckles the coastal sage scrub. I point to the periwinkle-colored flowers puffing out, and declare it an angel, a cloud, a vector of light. This illusion must be the long-flowered panicles that filter the light in a mesmerizing spring glow.
The diversity of the genus is incredible. We have close to 15 species in Ventura County, each occupying their own niche. Bigpod ceanothus (Ceanothus megacarpus), dusty and white, stands broad on the fingered foothills of the valley. The glossy greenbark ceanothus (Ceanothus spinosus) crawls closer to the valley floor. The hairy ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus) wanders into the woodland shade. Even if you do not understand where
they belong, their characteristics will tell the story for you. I approach each looking at the thickness of the leaves and how that protects it from the sun. The depth of green gives me a window into how the chlorophyll arranges to talk to the light. All of this leads me to more questions. How did the genus get to this point?
What was the mode of evolution?
We must travel back to the end of the Pliocene—when the weather shifted from hotter and wetter to cooler and drier and the mountain ranges lifted and formed at drastic rates. Ceanothus first occupied niches as a hard-leafed (sclerophyllous) understory plant that frequented dry rocky outcrops; however, a section (sect.) of ceanothus took advantage of a changing topography and climate. This new subgenus of Ceanothus, Ceanothus sect. Cerastes, rapidly hybridized and established newly adapted species for the varied ecological situations occurring. They moved into dry mountain tops, understory canopies, and
Bigpod ceanothus (Ceanothus megacarpus)
Hairy ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus)
Greenbark ceanothus (Ceanothus spinosus)
canyons. Individuals in this group are all over the valley—distinct with their opposite leaves. Another important distinguishing characteristic is that they are obligate seeders. Their seeds are readily available in the seed bank after a fire (lasting for decades), instead of recolonizing through basal sprouting. They tie this readiness back into their greater landscape, by partnering with a particular Frankia bacterium. They flood the soil with nitrogen, and prepare the ecosystem to shift to other habitat types.
However, though the sect. Cerastes branched off to fill the mosaic of the California Floristic Province, there is a group that stayed close to its primitive roots (quite literally). Ceanothus sect. Ceanothus (alternate leaves) does not hybridize readily, nor rely on seeding after disturbance. Instead, this group reflects its sclerophyll ancestry by focusing on resprouting after fire. This allows for quick vegetation immediately after blackened
ground—nursing the fire-following annuals that relish in the canopy’s shade. I am continually curious to see how Ceanothus utilize these adaptations to respond to the next wave of a changing climate. Will the obligate seeders diminish due to invasive weed competition after fire? If more frequent fires occur, will it impair the ability of the sect. Ceanothus to resprout? How this genus will respond is unknown; however, it is clear that the diversity gives strength to a varying degree of change and disturbance—whether that be fire, climate change, or uplifting mountains. The plant populations within the valley have been evolving for millions of years, and we hope to bolster their health so they can continue evolving and thriving.
Sophie McLean, Nursery Manager & Native Plant Specialist
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui ) butterfly on a ceanothus
“This ceanothus is cean-awesome-us!“
—Tobias Parker
WELCOME NEW DONORS!
Andy Muro
Brandin Cohen
Bryan Cody
Charlotte Brewster
Cristina Lucas
David Loy
David Smith
DeAnna Reposa
Jillian Wilkins
Joanne Rodriguez
Larry & Candace D’Addario
Linda J Lemmon
Mallory Truman
Paua & Tim Connolly
Robert Zacks
Russell Beckley
Samantha Petry
Suzanne Weakley
Valerie Starkgraf
Zach Williams
From: 1/25/25-5/18/25
MORNING MEDITATION AT THE OJAI MEADOWS PRESERVE
NEW 100 HOUR MILESTONE VOLUNTEERS
Beth Wickstrum
Tobias Parker
**Volunteer hours since 10/1/2018
Free Event
The 2025 Ojai Music Festival, in collaboration with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC), invites you to a free morning meditation at the Ojai Meadows Preserve on Saturday, June 7 at 8 AM. Begin your day as music and nature converge in this peaceful setting. Bring a blanket or chair, and consider arriving early or lingering afterward to walk the trails and take in the beauty of the preserve. This year’s Festival runs June 5–8 and welcomes Claire Chase as Music Director—flutist, interdisciplinary artist, and community-centered educator. Under her direction, the 2025 Festival explores how we respond to landscape as both caretakers and collaborators, with programming that spans generations and disciplines. The weekend will feature four World Premieres, eight West Coast premieres, and numerous free events. Plan your Festival weekend and learn more at ojaifestival.org.
CONSERVING THE PACIFIC LAMPREY ( ENTOSPHENUS
TRIDENTATUS )
Often shadowed by the eminence of steelhead trout, clinging to cobbles in channels throughout the watershed, lies another anadromous fish. As a California State Species of Special Concern, the pacific lamprey is threatened by diminished habitat conditions throughout Southern California watersheds. They are ranked S1 by NatureServe, signifying their population in our watershed is critically imperiled.
Pacific lamprey, a species with a lineage tracing back to the Ordovician period 450 million years ago, is an ancient fish. The life cycle of the pacific lamprey begins in slow moving silts, where stream velocity is low. Fine substrates allow the larvae, known as ammocoetes, to burrow and embed themselves, where they will spend three to ten years filter feeding algae, microorganisms, and detritus at night. In this stage, they lack eyes and teeth. Metamorphosis occurs over a couple of months, oftentimes reaching completion between winter and spring. Once transformed to have teeth and vision, individuals make their way downstream into marine waters.
In the ocean, pacific lamprey will spend up to seven years growing until reaching maturity. As ectoparasites, juvenile pacific lamprey will feed by attaching on their host’s skin and draw blood and fluids for nutrition. Once an adult and ready for reproduction, they will make their way up rivers during the spring and summer until they come across pheromones released by larvae, which indicates that habitat conditions for redds (nests) could be found just upstream. Migrations upstream occur at night. Conditions for breeding grounds preferred by pacific lamprey are gravelly substrates with sufficient dissolved oxygen. Artistically, they
OVLC’s restoration work along San Antonio Creek supports healthier riparian ecosystems, improving conditions for a range of native aquatic species.
create redds by moving substrate with their mouths, creating a lined circular depression. After spawning, their life cycle comes to a close—Pacific lampreys die shortly after, leaving the next generation to emerge from the gravel.
Conservation of this enigmatic species relies on improving instream conditions preferred by all life stages of pacific lamprey. In order for these habitats to properly develop, sorting of sediment must properly distribute into areas with cobbles, granules and silts, where each life stage can persist. Impairment of sediment distribution can result from excess sediment deposition from upland habitats, channelization of streambanks from invasive species, and large impediments such as dams. OVLC’s efforts in restoring riparian and upland habitat are drastically improving habitat for not only the southern steelhead, but also for the pacific lamprey.
Martin Schenker, Restoration Field Crew Manager
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
IN MEMORY OF
Betsy Vanleit
from Jessica Mann, John & Peggy Russell, Juan Abeyta, Kara & Jeff Hooper
Don Lucas
I can’t wait for Don to join me on the trail tomorrow...thinking of you and sending all my love, always. from Cristina Lucas
John G. Avildsen from Corrina Wright & Anthony Avildsen
John G. Bee, DVM from Susan Bee
Paula Sunshine
Remembering Paula and the special time we all shared enjoying the natural beauty of Ojai. from Ann & Steven Sunshine
Pauline Oliveros from Laura Mullen
Robert and Silvia Emhardt from Janis Emhardt
Rod Greene from Alexander & Libby Treadwell
Sara Roxanne Schneider Always in our thoughts. from Carol Shore
Thinking of dear Sara on her birthday. Her zesty personality lives on in each of us. from Elizabeth & Wayne Ogden
Thomas MacCalla from Jean Kilmurray
Tom & Dot Horton from Jean Meckauer
IN HONOR OF
Happy Birthday, Anne Kaplan! from Janet Jacobs
Happy Birthday Anne! I’m so glad we are friends. Love, Jan Rains
Claire Hines and Mike Ilves from Howard and Carole Brent Foundation
Crystal Davis
Happy Mothers’ Day! from Shaun Davis
Stephanie, Ed, and Martin Schenker from Nancy Iveland
KC Boelsems
Dearest KC, Wishing you the HAPPIEST Birthday EVER! Love, Jennifer de la Torre
Mark Jowell
Thank you for introducing us to the most magical place. from Suzann Moskowitz
Patricia Whalen from Mike Whalen
Wyatt & Vivian Blanchard
Supporting their favorite swimming hole. from Kirsten Meeker
IBM Matching Grants Program
Patagonia
TI Texas Instruments
United Healthcare Group (UHG)
from 1/25/25-5/18/25
Acknowledgments: 1/25/25-5/18/25
We recently welcomed colleagues from The Nature Conservancy’s California Water Program to the Ventura River Watershed for a day of collaboration and shared learning. Together, we explored the pressing challenges facing our community—from prolonged drought to habitat loss—and the strategies OVLC is implementing to restore ecosystems and strengthen water resilience across the Ojai Valley. Partnerships like this are essential to advancing our mission. By working alongside regional experts, we’re building the capacity needed to address these complex issues and ensure a thriving, climate-resilient future for our valley.
THE LEGACY WE TEND
Ojai Meadows Preserve is a living example of what sustained community commitment and thoughtful stewardship can accomplish. Since the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy acquired the property in 2000—thanks to the vision and hard work of dedicated local residents—thousands of volunteer hours have gone into restoring this landscape into a thriving ecosystem that supports a rich diversity of native plants, wildlife, and pollinators. But restoration doesn’t end when the planting is done or when grant funding runs out. True ecological recovery takes time, persistence, and ongoing care. That’s where our Stewardship team and dedicated volunteers step in.
In recent years, we’ve seen increased pressure from invasive species across parts of the preserve. These include aggressive non-natives such as black mustard (Brassica nigra), curly dock (Rumex crispus), yellow star-thistle (Centaurea solstitialis), and stork’s bill filaree (Erodium cicutarium). These species outcompete native plants, disrupt habitat structure, and undermine the ecological gains made through earlier restoration efforts.
Recognizing the need for a long-term solution, I teamed up with two of our committed volunteers, Mark Silbernagel and Matthew Downer, to create the Restoration Crew Lead Program. This initiative empowers trained volunteers to lead targeted invasive species removal projects and assist with monitoring plant communities across the preserve. With support from OVLC’s Stewardship staff, these crew leads help implement seasonal best management practices—strategies informed by plant phenology, field observations, and outcomes from past restoration work. Together, we’ve logged thousands of volunteer hours focused on restoring balance to the landscape. Every invasive plant removed helps protect native species and maintain the integrity of this special place.
In addition to countless hours of hand-pulling invasives and removing literal tons of non-native thatch and seed material, we’ve also worked with longtime contractor Brad Haley to manage larger, heavily impacted areas through strategic mowing. When timed correctly—aligned with the life cycles of invasive annuals—this mowing has led to visible improvements across the landscape. Many of the purple needlegrass (Stipa pulchra) meadows on the preserve, which Brad originally helped seed, are now thriving. These native grasslands have become denser, more established, and significantly less affected by invasive species. Grassland restoration is especially critical in our region, where native perennial grasses play a key role in supporting wildlife, building soil stability, and preserving ecological balance.
This year, while walking the site together, Brad and I shared what we jokingly called a “Mary Poppins moment”—a rare opportunity to pause and take in sweeping fields of native grass, so vibrant and thick they were nearly impossible to walk through. After years of effort, moments like these remind us why this work matters, even when the road to long-term stewardship feels daunting.
Stewarding Ojai Meadows Preserve is about more than protecting a piece of land. It’s about honoring the efforts of those who came before us and ensuring this habitat thrives for generations to come. Whether you’re a volunteer pulling mustard in the field or a donor helping fund our tools and training, you are part of a larger story—one of restoration, resilience, and community. We’re incredibly grateful for your support. Let’s keep growing this work together.
Linda Wilkin, Preserve Manager
Mark Silbernagel and Matthew Downer taking out a day’s haul of non-native curly dock from the Ojai Meadows Preserve.
REWILD OJAI NATIVE GARDEN TOUR—THANK YOU!
On behalf of OVLC, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for braving the weather to support us during our second annual Rewild Ojai Native Garden Tour!
Despite a rainy start to the day, the clouds parted to reveal a beautiful spring afternoon. From the incredible wildflower displays to rain gardens in action to the swallow-tailed kite at Birdsong Ranch, it’s hard to pick a favorite moment.
Amidst all that beauty, it’s easy to forget that these gardens are also powerful tools in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. As we face these existential threats, the simple act of planting a native garden can make a meaningful difference.
The gardens on the tour—along with roughly thirty other Rewild Ojai Certified Gardens—are actively creating habitat, supporting local biodiversity, and helping make life in our valley more resilient.
And your participation in the Garden Tour contributes to that effort too!
Once again, thank you for joining us. We look forward to more opportunities to come together, learn, and revel in the splendor of nature.
Claire Woolson, Rewild Ojai & Volunteer Coordinator
THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS
Garden Tour photos by Ethan Van Dusen and Nathan Wickstrum
NURSERY WORKS
POLLINATORS, PLANTS, AND THE POWER OF YOUTH
Thanks to a mix of showers, sunshine, and perseverance, spring is here and our two wonderful interns, Celeste and Lilac, are blooming right alongside the wildflowers! Just like the pollinators drawn to the sweetness of a hard-earned reward, they’ve been transforming the nursery into a season of growth, organization, and emerging leadership.
During the cooler months, we sowed tray after tray of native seeds. Every raindrop, sunbeam, and hour dedicated by our interns has resulted in stellar germination rates. To prepare for the seedlings’ next stage of growth, Lilac and Celeste have equipped the nursery with sanitized pots and freshly amended soil. The interns have been giving the seedlings the space and resources they need to thrive, as they have been repotting these little sprouts with gentle and persistent care.
At our nursery, we’re proud to grow native plants not only for OVLC’s restoration projects across the valley, but also for private landowners, local organizations, and community members. These plants mean more than pretty landscapes; they support long term habitat conservation and help create a more resilient valley. Thanks to our Nursery Internship Program, Celeste and Lilac are at the heart of this mission. Just a few weeks ago, Lilac and Celeste assisted a contract grow order, processing Horsetail (Equisetum laevigatum), Mugwort ( Artemisia douglasiana), and Mulefat (Baccharis salicifolia) cuttings. As the weather warmed, our interns kept pace—transplanting seedlings and stepping up
in new ways. Celeste and Lilac led weekly volunteer sessions and even took charge of watering operations while OVLC staff attended a conference. This spring, they also contributed meaningfully to a native planting event co-hosted by Pax and the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, helping restore a private lands site in partnership with the Turtle Conservancy. Now in its third year, the project is showing remarkable progress. Celeste was especially excited to see the Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla) she seeded just two years ago thriving in the field.
Looking ahead, Celeste is gearing up for vegetation monitoring training. With guidance from our restoration team, she’ll help launch long-term monitoring at the Oranges to Oaks restoration site in the Ventura River Preserve. This work will support local biodiversity and deepen our understanding of the region’s ecosystems and ongoing restoration efforts.
Spring is a season of renewal—and for our interns, a time of transformation. Through hands-on work with native plants, they’re not just caring for the land, but growing into empowered stewards of the environment. Their journey goes well beyond the nursery, and we’re excited to share how their skills and confidence in ecological restoration continue to take root.
Madison Moore, Nursery Assistant & Restoration Field Crew
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE 7: NATIONAL TRAILS DAY & VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY
OVLC is hosting National Trails Day® on June 7. This is the perfect opportunity to get out in nature with the people you love and give back to the trails that bring us together. National Trails Day® volunteer projects are fit for all ages and skill levels. We encourage you to invite the whole family!
In the afternoon, we are hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Party at our Ventura River Steelhead Preserve to recognize all of the hard work of our volunteers over the past
year. We will provide cold drinks from Topa Topa Brewing Co. and Athletic Brewing, delicious food from Jim and Rob’s Fresh Grill, good music, the magic and mind reading of Jerry Dunn, raffle prizes from Sespe Group and Topa Topa, and a mountain of gratitude. The pool will be open, so bring is a swim suit and a towel if you want to take a swim. We hope you can join us, and thank you again for contributing your time, energy, and skills to the OVLC!
JUNE 14 & 21: GARDEN DESIGN WITH MORAMI STUDIO
Join landscape architect Morgan Ramirez of Morami Studio for a hands-on, site-specific course in the Ojai Valley, blending ecological principles with thoughtful garden design. This two-part workshop, held at the Ventura River Steelhead Preserve, will guide home gardeners through designing with California native plants, focusing on sustainability, habitat, and personal vision. Includes a final public talk and Q&A on June 21 with Morgan, exploring her intuitive, placebased design philosophy.
SEPTEMBER 19 - 20: UNDER THE OPEN SKY / MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR
Save the date! Mountainfilm on Tour returns this September for a weekend of powerful films, great food, and community under the stars. Join us Friday for Under the Open Sky at the Ventura River Steelhead Preserve, and Saturday on the sports field at Ojai Valley School for an evening of inspiring short films. Special thanks to last year’s key sponsor, Ojai Valley Inn, for helping make it all possible.
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
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
Last creature feature, we were acquainted with our native ‘blue jay,’ the California scrub jay ( Aphelocoma californica). This time, we’re trading feathers for scales. Known to many as ‘blue-bellies,’ the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) is a critter most of us are likely familiar with from time spent at any of our preserves—or really, anywhere in California and our neighboring states. They’re a jack-of-all-trades, found from sea level to dizzying heights above 10,000 feet! Western fence lizards inhabit a variety of habitats, from woodlands, forests, and grasslands to suburban gardens and farmlands. In these varied settings, they play an important role in nutrient cycling, pest management, and disease control.
Hike in any one of our preserves, and you might notice an unwanted hitchhiker crawling up your pant leg or latched onto your furry trail companion. Ticks are tiny arachnids that act as transmission vectors—particularly those within the genus Ixodes, which are known to carry Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It’s important to note that Ixodes ticks do not inherently carry this bacterium; rather, they become infected after feeding on an already infected animal. This is where our scaly superhero comes into focus. Flowing through the veins of our fence-loving squamate is a protein that, when ingested by a tick, eradicates the bacteria—effectively
curing the tick of infection. Over time, these lizards help reduce the incidence of Lyme disease and, in the process, support the health of the Ojai Valley’s ecosystems. However, they can only do so much. Ticks can transmit other diseases that lizards can’t mitigate, so do yourself a favor and be field-savvy: always perform a tick check!
Lastly, our friendly neighborhood fence lizard also dabbles in a behavior known as ‘tail autotomy.’ When stressed and faced with danger, western fence lizards will break off a piece of their tail. Though not fatal, the tail does grow back—usually shorter and weaker than before. The amputated segment serves as a distraction to would-be predators (and curious humans) due to its wiggling, caused by the twitching of nerves, giving the lizard a window of opportunity to escape.
While a clever survival strategy, the ordeal can be quite taxing for our Lyme disease-fighting heroes, so we kindly ask you to refrain from scaring their tails off. With that said, whether they’re basking on rocks on warm sunny days, scampering up fence posts, or doing push-ups to assert themselves, give thanks and be considerate to our blue-bellied neighbors.
Anthony Gomez, Restoration Field Crew
Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)
Tick
PO Box 1092 • Ojai, CA 93024
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Protect the Lands You Love!
MAKE A GIFT
At the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, we are your community land trust—conserving land for community benefit—and we’re here to stay. Ojai’s open spaces provide clean air, wildlife habitat, and places for us all to walk, hike, ride, reflect, and reconnect—but they won’t protect themselves. Please help us by making a gift this spring. Your gift supports the year-round work of restoring native ecosystems, maintaining publicly accessible trails, and stewarding oak woodlands—ensuring that Ojai remains a place where people and nature thrive together.