2014 Fall Outlook

Vol. 10 No. 2

Fall 2014

Dear FellowVentura Hillsides Conservancy Supporters: The Conservancy Board of Trustees is currently reviewing our Strategic Plan, a five-year document developed in 2009 to guide the Conservancy’s actions in achieving its goals. We are reminded that it’s never a bad time to revisit our mission. The mission of the Conservancy, as stated on our website and in every issue of the Outlook, is the following: The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is a land trust operating in the Ventura region to protect and conserve open space resources through acquisition of land and easements, stewardship of protected lands, and public education about local natural resources.

It is not the mission of this conservancy to advocate for development. And be assured that our intent will always be to maximize the conservation benefit for the community, in any endeavor we undertake.

Tim Coonan President, Board of Trustees Ventura Hillsides Conservancy

Conservancy Development Manager Lee Sherman leads one of many tours of the Conservancy’s Willoughby preserve on World Fish Migration Day.

Picnic at the River and World Fish Migration Day

by Lee Sherman

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he Ventura Hillsides Conservancy and Friends of the Ventura River hosted the third annual Picnic at the River on Saturday, May 24th from 11AM2PM at the Willoughby Preserve near downtown Ventura. This year’s event coincided with World Fish Migration Day 2014 (WFMD), a one day global initiative, with local events worldwide, to raise awareness about the importance of open rivers for migratory fish. Currently, migratory fish are threatened and fish stocks are declining rapidly around the world. This is especially true in Ventura, where the Santa Clara and Ventura Rivers once teemed with now endangered Steelhead Trout.

The Conservancy, FOTVR and Ventura Surfrider partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to highlight this world wide event. Outreach coordinators from NOAA hosted a booth that put local habitat restoration efforts in a nation-wide context. Their exhibit included children’s Continued on page 3

VHC Outlook Briefs:

President’s Message

By Tim Coonan

Member Outreach: Our First Annual Campaign Phone Bank Over a dozen volunteers, staff and trustees were smiling and dialing this May in an effort to reach out to current and lapsed members to raise support for our successful Habitat Restoration and Watershed Education programs. We reached out to over a thousand of you and the conversations we had taught us a lot about our supporters and your enthusiasm for our work. We’d like to thank all those members who made gifts above and beyond their annual dues, and welcome back our old friends! The funds raised will help us provide hands-on outdoor education to students from our local schools this fall and winter.

Planning for Perpetuity: Conservancy Partners with Ventura County Community Foundation to establish Land Stewardship Endowment Fund Well into our 12th year, Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is now focusing on bolstering our efforts to preserve protected lands in perpetuity. As our holdings and responsibilities grow, the Board has taken an important step in establishing a dedicated and permanent funding for land stewardship. The Conservancy has partnered with the Ventura County Community Foundation to establish the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Endowment Fund. Launched in August 2014, the endowment will provide a lasting benefit to the lands we love, ensuring their professional supervision for years to come.

The fund is managed by the Community Foundation, which has the unique ability to hold assets for agencies or charitable organizations.

Established in 1987, the VCCF partners with organizations in building and

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The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy and the Regent Plan for Development

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ast week Regent Properties began circulating a draft proposal to build 55 upscale homes in the hillsides above the City of Ventura, with 170 acres donated to the community as open space. The Reporter carried a story about it in its July 24 issue, with comments from community members, including VHC; I pointed out the happy prospect of our community possibly acquiring access to open space in the hills.

It’s important to understand that the VHC Board has not taken a position on the proposal, nor will it for months to come. There are multiple layers of information and official reviews that VHC members and the community will have to consider.

Only then would the Conservancy Board decide whether we can in good conscience be the holders of land in trust for the community donated by Regent. As with any development proposal, City officials, most likely the City Council, will be responsible for that decision.

There are a number of technical issues that the City will likely need to study before taking action, and the California Environmental Quality Act will require an environmental review. The challenges for any residential development in our hills are fairly well known—soil stability, grading, slope, water, drainage, natural gas lines, traffic, and more. The required review will likely encompass geotechnical issues associated with slope stability, and the applicability of the city’s Hillside Management Program, adopted by the City in 1989 and part of its General Plan. Additionally we would expect individuals and groups, including residents of affected neighborhoods and the VHC membership base, to add their voices to the decision-making.

The roles that land trusts play in conservation development may include holding easements, participating in stewardship of conserved lands and/or working with developers and landowners at the pre-development and development stages to promote conservation-friendly outcomes. Be assured that the Conservancy is interested in working with Regent Properties and all property owners, as well as the City, to facilitate public access and permanently protected open space for the community. However, the Conservancy has not taken a position on the Regent proposal at this time.

Tim Coonan President, Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Board of Trustees protecting permanent resources to support important community programs.

Endowment funds are particularly useful to organizations whose contributions can fluctuate with changing economic conditions; they demonstrate the organization’s security, stability and long-range planning, and help sustain its mission in perpetuity. The Community Foundation distributes annual earnings

to the non-profits to meet their needs.

Donations made to the fund will provide a reliable source of income for the life of VHC. All contributions are tax deductible. You can give online through the VCCF here: http://www. vccf.org/orgagencydesg/VHILLA.shtml.

For more information on the Ventura County Community Foundation, visit www.vccf.org.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

Fall 2014

World Fish Migration Day Continued from page 1

literature and activities that provided information about the life cycle of salmon and steelhead and offered a closer look at west coast fisheries. Several children made Salmon Lifecycle Bracelets as souvenirs. Adults enjoyed lively discussions, as NOAA scientists presented new information linking the ability of spawning fish to return to their waters of origin through their sense of smell.

Ventura Audubon’s booth was also popular for its taxidermies and its roster of native and migrating bird species that call the river home. Friends of the Ventura River distributed copies of the Ventura River Parkway Map, now also available in Spanish.

Kids helped return the steelhead to the river by way of a cleverly decorated bean bag toss game put together by Diane Underhill. And long-time Westside residents from the Tortilla Flats Archive Project were on hand to share their photos, stories and memories of a time not too long ago when the Ventura River was their playground and the primary destination for recreation for the neighborhoods of Ventura Avenue.

Patagonia was also on hand to promote their new film DAMNation, which chronicles “deadbeat dams” across the country and their impact on local communities and native fish populations. The film prominently features Ventura River’s own Matilija Dam. Once again Conservancy staff led tours of the preserve, stopping to highlight their habitat restoration efforts along the way as well as views of the river and estuary.

Past visitors were quite impressed with the progress being made by the Conservancy’s volunteer restoration program. Over 100 people took the tour and enjoyed the free Taqueria Tepititlan lunch, courtesy of Ventura Surfirider and the Matilija Coalition.

Fall 2014

Alix Smith fields questions about salmonid fisheries from San Diego to Seattle as part of NOAA’s booth at the 3rd Annual Picnic at the River in honor of World Fish Migration Day. Below, a young picnic goer tries to return the Steelhead to its natural home at the Friends of the Ventura River display.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook q

Tel: 805-643-8044 • P.O. Box 1284, Ventura, CA 93002 www.venturahillsides.org Robert Louis Chianese, Editor email: editor@venturahillsides.org Contributors: Tim Coonan, Chuck Journey, Lee Sherman, Stephen Svete.

Layout/Design Frank Boross Media Services

q Outlook is published semi-annually by the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, a 501 (c) (3) California nonprofit organization.

Story submissions and ideas welcomed.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

Copyright ©2014 Ventura Hillsides Conservancy.

All rights reserved.

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Ventura River Parkway now a National Recreation Trail

By Lee Sherman

Patrick Johnson and Derek Poultney install the National Recreation Trail marker on Conservancy property at the Big Rock Preserve.

Derek Poultney discusses the features of the Ventura River’s riparian characteristics at the Conservancy’s Big Rock Preserve.

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n early June of this year, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and National Parks Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis bestowed nationwide recognition on a treasured local resource: The Ventura River Trails. They added the 15-mile linear park into the Park Service’s register of National Recreation Trails. “The National Trails System connects Americans with federal, state and local lands and nationwide,” Jarvis said. “As we celebrate National Trails Day, this network of more than 16,000 miles continues to grow and offer new opportunities for Americans to explore the great outdoors.” The trail provides bicycle and pedestrian access to the two most important Ventura Hillsides Conservancy holdings: the Willoughby Preserve at the Ventura River Estuary, and the Big Rock Preserve south of Foster Park.

National recreation trail designations recognize trail systems that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the nation. Communities and other partners supporting the establishment of the new national recreation trails receive a certificate of designation, a letter of congratulations from Secretary Jewell, and a set of national recreation trail markers.

The Conservancy, along with Friends of the Ventura River, applied for this designation in January 2014 on behalf of the City and County of Ventura. Both groups joined to host an event along the trail at our Big Rock Preserve on June 7 to commemorate the designation and celebrate National Trails Day, America’s largest annual singleday trails and outdoor celebration, organized by the American Hiking Society.

VHC Conservation Assistant Dashiell Dunkell covers the fundamentals with the Girl Scout Troop 60718 as they prepare for a preserve cleanup at National Trails Day.

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The Ventura River Trail from Main Street to Foster Park is the site a major Ventura public art installation. Wheel Totem Pole, by Annette Fourbears, is located just north of VHC’s Big Rock Preserve at Foster Park.

It evokes the Ventura River’s history through its locomotive-base and framework of wheel forms from a Mission cart, horsedrawn carriage, old cultivator, Model A, oil derrick pulley and bicycle.

California State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (second from Left) delivered California Senate Certificates of Recognition to (left to right) Diane Underhill, Friends of the Ventura River; Mark Capelli, National Marine Fisheries Service; and David Comden, Ventura Hillsides Conservancy.

Photos by Chuck Journey and Stephen Svete

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

Fall 2014

The Conservancy has used the Ventura River Trail segments for numerous community education and outreach events. The Hills on Wheels event was held in May of 2008, and involved over 60 cyclists.

The 16.5-mile Ventura River Parkway Trail includes two major trails: the Ventura River Trail and the Ojai Valley Trail. From the Ventura River Estuary to the city of Ojai, the contiguous corridor of pedestrian and cycling trails, river crossings and public access points reconnect people in the city and rural communities to the river. The trail links diverse rural neighborhoods to natural open space area like the Conservancy’s preserves, providing health and fitness benefits to youth and adults.

The Conservancy and Friends of the Ventura River thank National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Planner Patrick Johnston for hiscritical assistance in achieving the designation. Residents and visitors are always welcome to take advantage of the Ventura River Parkway Trail with a ride or hike, and now will enjoy a facility with national recognition.

Dashiell Dunkell points out rich ecological features of the Ventura River riparian habitat to an attentive Girl Scout on the Conservancy’s Big Rock Preserve.

State Assemblyman Das Williams, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, and U.S. Congresswoman Julia Brownley all attended the dedication of the Ventura River Trail on June 7, 2014 at the VHC’s Big Rock Preserve.

Representative Julia Brownley of California’s 26th Congressional District, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, and State Assemblyman Das Williams presented certificates of recognition to the Conservancy and Friends of the Ventura River for their efforts in recommending the trail for designation. Local officials in attendance included former Ventura Mayor Brian Brennan, Councilman Carl Morehouse, County Parks Supervisor Ron Van Dyck. Sylvia Schnopp, Outreach Coordinator for REI, presented the Conservancy with a grant award of $8,000 toward our successful Habitat Restoration and Watershed Education programs.

Girl Scouts from Troop 60718 helped clear vegetation from the trail connecting the bike path to the river and Conservancy trustees led tours of the property and its trail system. Conservation Manager Derek Poultney and Conservation Assistant Dashiell Dunkell erected a post along the path and installed the National Recreation Trail marker to the cheers of the assembled crowd of 50-plus celebrants.

Fall 2014

REI feted the National Trail dedication by presenting a grant award for VHC’s Habitat Restoration and Watershed Education programs. From left: Lee Sherman, VHC Development Manager; Das Williams, State Assemblyman for 37th District; Sylvia Schnopp, Outreach Coordinator for REI; Jens Redemann, David Comden, and Tom Weisel, VHC Trustees; Hannah Beth Jackson, State Senator for the 19th District; Carl Morehouse, Ventura City Councilman; Julia Brownley, U.S Congresswoman, California’s 26th District; Ron Van Dyck, Ventura County Parks Supervisor; and Patrick Johnson, National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Planner.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

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Members of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy ARE YOU A MEMBER? HELP US PRESERVE VENTURA’S HILLSIDES. JOIN US TODAY. GUARDIAN, $1000+ Gary and Karen Bednorz Malinda Chouinard - Zzyzx Foundation Tim Coonan Jill Forman and David Young Richard and Nancy Francis Sidney Stern Foundation James and L.R. Peddie Chris and Suzy Reinhart Stephanie and Myron Roth Janice Turner The Weisel Family Rosanne and Andrew Welcher Marcia Wright STEWARD, $500 Lynn Bartosh Lamar and MarLynn Bushnell David and Tina Comden Paul and Jean Finnegan Ward and Robin Flowers Scott Kopald Jens and Melanie Redemann Edward and Nancy Ryan Eric Smith and Jamie King Mike and Dana Stoneking Michael Vivian The Wagar Family PATRON, $250 Erin Aloisio Lynne Anderson Jeff and Jenny Baarstad The Berson Family Susan Brown Doug and Carolyn Chase Deborah and Charles Clark Jeff and Marila Cook Nathaniel Cox Patrick and Joann Cunningham Thad and Anette Farnham Bruce and Pat FitzGerald Tom and Katie Frye David Hennerman and Barbara Widmer Mindy Cooper-Smith and Robert James Cora Lanzisero Pat LaVelle and Barbara Rex Jim and Linda Leonard Geoff and Nancy Loman James and Debbie McPhie The Merideth Family Paul Mithra Peter and Rebecca Percy Pat and Diane Perkins Lori Poole Sarah Chaney and Daniel Richards Norman Schiele and Renee Longan Tessa Roper and Kent Smith Denise Stennette

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The Refill Shoppe Eric and Missy Stoen Hank and Sue Stoutz Jim and Nancy Strong Stephen Svete and Mindy Lawrence Roger Wright and Kate Larramendy Keith York Dale Zurawski SUSTAINING DONOR, $100 John and Catherine Baker Curtis Ball and Lisa Kawai Philip and Maureen Basile Beatrice Battier, DVM Donna and Jerry Beatty Ellen and Jon Becker Robin and Richard Birney Carol Bishop Wolf Breiman and Debbie Diamond Kathy Bremer Anika Briner Karin Brinkley Suzette Brown Sidney and Dianna Brown Michael and Mary Lou Brown The Bruton Family William and Patricia Bullough Robert and Deborah Burns Dan and Rhonda Callahan James Capito and Terri Davis Scott Carey Kim Charnofsky and Robin Sturgeon Philip and Lora Clarke Todd and Cheryl Collart Jeannie Collins Joseph Connett and Elzbet Diaz de Leon John Connor and Estelle Ichino Michael and Laura Cook Thomas Dimock Marvin and Pamela Dixon Kenneth and Nancy Dressler John and Linda Edison Susan Engelmann Fairchild and Ridgway Real Estate Bill and Kate Faulkner Matt and Stacy Fausset Kelley Feeley Suma and Barry Henry Greg and Lori Frank Friends of Channel Coast State Parks Daniel Glassman Michael and Joy Goldowitz Zachary Grossman Larry Gust and Caroline Blakemore Scott and Jennifer Hansen Barbara and Richard Harison Kevin Hartigan and Terrence Foley Pamela Hazard James Herron and Susan Coffey

Hanna Hombordy Gerhardt Hubner Jon and Ann Ives Ramsey and Florence Jay The Jenkin Family Scott Johnson and Patricia Verdugo-Johnson Linda Jones Thomas and Rose Ann Jones Susan Jones Edward and Diane Keay Mel and Hilda Kilpatrick Raeann Koerner Jeff Lambert and Albert Barosso John and Pamela Leonard Geri LeVine Loe Gary Brummett David and Cindy Luff Lawrence Manson and Delia Gorey The Marble Family Michael Mariani and Kay Giles Sharon McAlexander and Liz Simpson Bruce McGee Dena Mercer Luke Metz Donald Mills Thomas and Sally Mueller Erik Nasarenko Steve Offerman and Anne Larsen Steven Oppenheimer Alfred Ortiz David and Claire Oxtoby Vera Pampalone David Payne and Elaine Fowell Robert and Maureen Powers Roanna and Ted Prell Donald Price Michael Putman and Marge Karney Hugh and Elizabeth Ralson E.J. Remson George Roberts and Jan Standing-Roberts Mark and Siri Rochin David and Mariann Romero The Romero Family Robin and Greg Rose Edward Rose David and Valerie Rucker Donna Santo Sam and Mary Saputo David and Robin Satnick Joyce Sattler Bruce and Joyce Schoppe Russel and Cheryl Sharman Carrol Ann Smith The Smith Family Jim and Cynthia Snell Marjorie Staley Michael Steel Kim Stroud Edward Summers

Bob Tallyn and Elizabeth Bachman Richard and Kristin Bill and Billye Thieman Rob and Liz Thomaier Laura Thomas James and Ruth Uphold Nancy Vaniotis Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation Ventura Audobon Society Ventura Botanical Gardens Ralph and Laverne Venus Elsie and Sinclair Wall The Waln Family Ed and Val Wehan Joe and Julie Weyers Jim Whitney Mel and Dani Willis Dorothy Wilson James and Jackie Worden Patricia and Scott Wynn DONOR, $50 James and Joanne Abing Frank Alvarez Jay Ansama and Debbie Hyde Claudia and Kurt Armann Carol and George Aulich Rupert Austin and Carolyn Wood Nancy Balogh Wayne and Jean Bartel Robert and Catherine Beilin Russell and Maureen Bishop Tania Bjornlie The Blossom Family Donald and Carolyn Blumenshein Linda Bogart Frank and Linda Boross Hope Bowles Ann Boyes Michael and Stephanie Brady Robert and Marylee Bragulla Steve and Margaret Bray Terry Brenner- Farrell Ellen Bunde Randy and Hermie Butler John and Deborah Bylo Christine and Douglas Campbell Norene Charnofsky Robert and Paula Chianese Stephen Clark Dorene Cowart The Cryer Family John and Theresa Darling Bob and Kenmere Davidson Donna Davies Peter Dibble and Katherine Warner Kathleen and Dave Diermier Peter and Diane Dowler Dennis and Jane Dwire

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook If you are a member and your name is not listed here, please contact us.

Fall 2014

Wayne and Pamela Eichele Laura Fahr Jennie Flores Patrick and Rose Forrest Brian and Donna Foster Irvin and Nancy Fox-Fernandez Rodney Frykholm Fern Godden Dr. Joel Goldenberg Ernie and Laura Gulovsen Donna Hamer Nancy Hankinson Amy Haritatos Maureen Hathoot Sharon and Dennis Hawkins Jan Helfrich and Howard Asher Jim Heller and Carol Ecklund The Henchy Family Amber and Jeremy Henderson Paul Hilbun Sarah Hilinski The Hongola Family Karen Houston Hilary Howard Jim and Patty Hunt Bruce Hunter Lori Jochums Brock and Marky Jones Monroe and Joanne Kaplan Ventura Wild Marty and Trish Kinsey Melissa and Eric Kirkegaard Mark and Angela Kirwin Marc and Susan Landgraf Craig Lieberg and Julie Legat Grace Lin Carol Lindberg Jeff Linder Annie Little Dan Long James and Brenda Loree Bev Lowe and John Riley Amy Luoma Steve and Tonia Mabry Darryl and Miriam Mack John and Krista Magallon John Martinez Catherine McCalvin Jared McEntyre Terry Mehr Patty Melvin Calvin and Margaret Meuser Jeff Miner Dr. and Mrs. Leo Molitor Jennifer Montoya Janna Minsk and Carl Morehouse Fred and Linda Mose Kathi Mottram Susan Navarro

Fall 2014

Melissa and Jose Navarro Terri Nelson Michael Nonnast and Debra Cavaletto Wayne Overton Judith Owen Tania Parker Jim Parkhill Judy Peck Carol Pedersen Gary and Lois Perry Bill Raymond Doug Reed Gary Reeder and Marla Burg The Regester Family Marlayn L. Riley Michael and Louise Roberts Christopher Rom Ron and Liz Rose Marjory and Art Rose Brandy Runcie Judy Scott Kevin and Annette Seelos Bob Semereau Robert Shakman Randy and Marion Shore Nita Shulman Martin Silvern Edwin Slowik Bonny Smith Michael Spota and Sandy Ross Lori Steinhauer Sarah Sweeny Virginia Thomas Will and Lydia Thompson Benjamin and Jocelyn Thompson Yvonne Trainor The Trevisan Family Chuck Vinson and Lynda Blue JoAnne Wallis David Ward Lee Warren Tracey Warriner Scott Werner Robert and Victoria Willard Blair and Sara Winner Karen Wrobleski MEMBER, $35 Jane Advani Kathy Asher Mimi Baranwski Warren Barrett Debra Barringer Robert and Dianne Bernstein Kristi Birney Michelle Boroski Richard Bradley and Wendy Varian James Breslin Sheldon Brown

Steve and Melinda Burkhart Richard Butolph Joe Canale Bob and Cynthia Chapek The Chima Family David and Shirley Cohen Margaret Colby Sue and Gary Conklin Citizens for Responsible Oil and Gas Joan Cook Donald and Caroline Cook Charlotte Corkle Arthur Darin Jerry Dietch Dennis Donley Scott and Mary Douglas Dave and Amy Duckwitz Elaine Edwards Dorothy Elchoness Kimberly Ennis Jennifer Enoch Kimbrough Ernest Cherie Eulau Velma Everton Amy Fager Judith Farrell Sean and Amy Feeney Chris and Erin Ferrier Linda Fisher and Fred Jordan Jennifer Fleur Shelly Foote Heywood Friedman Victoria Gagnon Patrick and JoAnne Gallagher Janeen Gaul Michael Gialketsis Kevin Glen and Helya Naghibi Tina Gorelik Tim and Cindy Hansen Kevin Hanson and Susie Tramel Eddie and Judee Harris Cheryl Heitmann William and Heather Hendren Roger Henggeler Jim Houp Edward Huante Nona Belle Jensen Heather Johnson Robin Kirsch Dennis W. Kulzer Jordan and Sandra Laby David and Connie Lantrip Steve and Mary Lawry Christopher Leslie Ellen Lewis Ms. Lilith Eric Linkjendal Roxana Llano Ted and Joyce Lombard Phyllis Mann Charlotte Marchetti Jim and Janet Marcoux David MartinssonKaren McMahon Duane Meagher Lynn Merriam Julia Mowery Mitch and Lisa Myers

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

Lin Myerson Michael and Connie Napolitano Vanaja Natarajan Lawrence Neufeld Mark Nichta Ross Nideffer and Diane Underhill Rosie Ornelas Nadia Parker Harryand Susan Pasqual Pamela Petersen Denese Petrillo Pierpont Racquet Club Laura Powell Josh Purcell Deby Quandt Glenn and Suky Reilly Jason Rodriguez Catherine Rossbach Joyce Rufenacht Karen Ruiz Edna Runyon Naomi Sanchez Victor and Carmen Sanchez Theresa Satterfield Robert Schleifer Jerry and Debbie Smith Jennifer Smith Diane Soule Ernestine Stansbery Joan and Charles Starn Peggy Hannan Stein Steve and Inge Stoll Jim Susha Angela Sutter Ben Tapia Mary Travis Ellie Tu Jayne Turcotte Debra Tygell David Unger Richard Vaniotis Judith Ward The Weber Family Christy Weir John and Camille Weiss Robin Weiss Susan Welbourn Jeff and Kathleen WiensEleanor Wilson Greg Wood Lars Yahr Neil Ziegler Kathryn Zwers STUDENT, $20 Haley Bartosh Craig Christensen and Anthony Mullen Robert Curtis Larry and Barbara Hilburn Carli Nichta Monica Sanchez The Sheridan Family

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy P.O. Box 1284, Ventura, CA 93002 www.venturahillsides.org Tel: 805-643-8044

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Ventura Hillsides Conservancy PO Box 1284 • Ventura, CA 93002 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Paul Meehan Joins Board of Trustees

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e are pleased to announce that Paul Meehan has joined our Board of Trustees. He will serve us well, with an extensive environmental background and political savvy that already saw him make a run for the Ventura City Council.

Originally from Michigan, Paul has connected with our local environment in a number of impressive ways. He has a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies from UCSB; he was a boat captain for Island Packers visiting the Channel Islands, and a Boat Patrol Ranger for the Park Service there as well. His heart is really in environmental care: he volunteered his services in finding lost pets after the Katrina hurricane, returning them to their owners. He makes his living these days working in IT for FedEx. Paul’s positions on various local issues are environmentally aware. He would promote the use of Paul Meehan gray water in domestic households, protect open space, and work toward the construction of a local Ventura City animal shelter.

There are many ecologically important things the Conservancy will need advice about and help implementing. Paul will be a great asset in those efforts.

He lives in Ventura with wife Kellie and their two children.

Grant News:

Our programs continue to expand with the support of our community partners Union Bank, Southern California Edison, Patagonia and REI. Patagonia awarded the Conservancy a $2,000 Miracle grant in March after employees in the Planning Department participated in our massive Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service River Clean-up in January. Union Bank has committed another $5,000 to our Habitat Restoration and Watershed Education programs, in addition to the $5,000 awarded last year. Southern California Edison has also renewed its support at the $5,000 level. REI has stepped up with an $8,000 contribution and has provided the Conservancy outreach opportunities at each of their stores, both in Oxnard and Santa Barbara. In addition to funding, each company has a robust volunteer program allowing their employees to give back to the communities they serve. We are very fortunate to have such great relationships. If your business would like to participate in our volunteer program call Development Manager Lee Sherman (805) 643-8044 or email lsherman@venturahillsides.org.

6th ANNUAL

Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Poinsettia Pavilion — Friday and Saturday, March 13th and 14th 2015 Sponsorship Opportunities Available Now!

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Board of Trustees

Tim Coonan, President David Comden, Vice-President Gerhardt Hubner, Secretary Lynn Bartosh Richard Francis Paul Meehan Jennifer Montoya Jens Reddeman Tom Weisel — OUR MISSION — The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is a land trust operating in the Ventura region to protect and conserve open space resources through acquisition of land and easements, stewardship of protected lands, and public education about local natural resources.

VHC is a proud member of the Land Trust Alliance — Visit www.lta.org

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Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

Fall 2014