2013 Spring Outlook

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Volume 9 No. 1 • Ten Year Anniversary Issue • Spring 2013

Saving the Hillsides

Spring 2013

…for them and for Us.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

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President’s Message

by Tim Coonan

see the Ventura River flowing, especially in its larger channel, where the river is free to find its way. In the distance are the river’s estuary and the mouth.

Both are a lot cleaner now that winter’s rains do not wash as many contaminants and trash downstream. This piece of land is clean, and people place a lighter touch on it, for the first time in eighty years or so.

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he other day I found myself on the Main Street bridge in west Ventura, looking down onto the Conservancy’s eight-acre Willoughby property near by. The homeless encampments are gone. The trash is gone. A fair chunk of the non-native arundo plant is gone, as well. I could

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That this land is better off is due to the hard, creative work by our two regular staff members, Derek Poultney and Lee Sherman, and the small army of volunteers they recruit to help with our clean-up projects. Including many of you!

And now the Conservancy is on the cusp of opening this parcel to the public, of inviting folks, for the first time ever, to explore a piece of land owned by the Conservancy. This is a cause for

celebration! And although it may seem a long time coming, the fact after ten years we own more than twenty-five acres of land – good land, great habitat –is actually fairly substantial progress for a start-up land conservancy.

We would not be here today to share this accomplishment if not for a handful of people who had the brilliant idea in 2003 to launch a group whose sole purpose was to save natural lands around the City of Ventura. Their enthusiasm for the land and their resolve for their task put us where we are today. Importantly, their innovative funding idea gave us ten years of music festivals, which fueled our growth and our capabilities in land conservation.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

And so, in 2013, we celebrate our decade of activities, and doff our hats to founders, original members, and first trustees of VHC, many of whom are still active in the Conservancy, and indeed, are some of our hardest-working members. We promise to keep their dream going.

Already our staff is finding opportunities to conserve more land in one of our focus areas, the Ventura River, as we lead the effort to reconnect the City of Ventura to its namesake river, through establishment of a river parkway. And, as ever, our eyes are on the hillsides themselves…So, stay tuned, there’s much more to come!

Restored area of the Ventura River, north of the Willoughby property.

Spring 2013

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Grants & Awards 2012-13

By Lee Sherman

Conservation Alliance

By Cossondra Schindler, Conservation Alliance Outreach Associate

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he Conservancy would like to thank the grantors whose generosity fueled our progress in the past year. 2012 was one of our best years in terms of corporate philanthropy and community support.

We received over $15,000 from Patagonia as well as another $2,000 from Fletcher Chouinard Designs. The Southern California Wetland Recovery Project awarded us $10,877 in 2012 to recoup from appraisals and site surveys related to our latest land acquisition. And the folks from REI, opening this Spring at The Collection in Oxnard, awarded a $10,000 Seeding Grant to the Conservancy which was presented at this year’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

Local community coalition Friends of the Ventura River was the recipient of the proceeds for this year’s Salmon Run in the Ventura River. The Friends’ generously donated this amount to the Conservancy to help provide funds for stewardship and habitat restoration on our properties in the Ventura River. We were also awarded $30,000 in-kind services from Concerned Resources and Environmental Workers (The CREW) as well as a commitment of $30,000 from the California Conservation Corps for habitat restoration and arundo donax clearance.

If your business is interested in partnering to support Conservancy programs and services please contact Development Manager Lee Sherman at lsherman@venturahillsides.org or 805.643.8044.

Last week, the Conservation Alliance and member companies Deckers Outdoor Corp., Horny Toad, Patagonia, REI and Vapur partnered with the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy to remove arundo and plant arroyo willow cuttings to help make the Ventura River habitat publicly accessible.

The event marked the first of eight nationwide Backyard Collective events in 2013, providing Conservation Alliance member companies’ employees with the opportunity to take action in support of the organization and to get their hands dirty for the sake of conservation.

“We’re excited to kick off our Backyard Collective season in Ventura,” said John Sterling, executive director for the Conservation Alliance. “We’ve got a great concentration of members in the area, and look forward to getting everyone out for a great day of work.”

The Backyard Collective took place Thursday. An after-party followed the volunteer effort. The event also featured a volunteer fair at which Conservation Alliance grantees and local environmental organizations shared information about their conservation initiatives.

Citizens for Peaceful Resolution here in Ventura awarded VHC their annual Earth Charter Award for Ecological Integrity.

Spring 2013

“The Conservancy has been working with local partners including conservation groups, our city government

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

and social service agencies for over a year to reconnect our community to its river,” said Lee Sherman, development manager for the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy. “The work done by volunteers participating in the Backyard Collective to restore this property will help provide our community with access to some great scenic areas for bird-watching, picnicking and trail running, all within a five minute walk of downtown Ventura.”

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

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

Story submissions and ideas welcomed.

Copyright ©2013 Ventura Hillsides Conservancy.

All rights reserved.

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Our Ten-Year History of

by Stephen Svete

accomplishment

he sun shone brightly Johnson, Chris Hillman, and on a group of citizens and Hebert Pederson. The September journalists on that hopeful event sold out in hours. The very morning in Arroyo Verde Park next month, VHC produced the in 2003. The nascent land trust second in a series of community had organized a press conference education and outreach events. to announce its founding, and to “Take a Walk on the Wildside” invite Venturans to join its open featured a look at some of the space movement. The idea rose birds and mammals that inhabit Brooke Ashworth out of a pitched ballot box battle the hillsides. A highlight was the involving hillside housing development, and voters surprise appearance of a live mountain lion—quite had resoundingly rejected the idea. Supervisor Steve a look! By July 2004, the Conservancy entered into Bennett and Councilman Brian Brennan spoke an agreement with the City of Ventura’s Partners encouragingly in support of preservation. With no for Progress program, committing to providing government funding and no land deals in the works, volunteers to clean the beloved Arroyo Verde Park the Conservancy had its work cut out. President on an ongoing basis.

Brooke Ashworth acknowledged as much, quoting the Chinese proverb that talks of a journey of a 1000 In September of 2004, the good intentions and miles beginning with a single step. organizational strength of VHC received a solid show of support when the State Coastal Conservancy Later that year, the newly formed Ventura granted the young land trust a $200,000 grant for Hillsides Conservancy produced its first Hillside pre-acquisition planning. VHC used the funds to Music Festivals in the same park. Featured prepare fundamental land resource and data tools, artists included Jackson Browne, Keb’ Mo’, Jack including GIS mapping of its defined Interest Area, a conceptual trail and access plan, and a stewardship management manual.

Runners at Turkey Roundup Run.

running, an activity we expect one day to offer on some of our land preserves.

A year later, in May 2007, the Conservancy hired its first Executive Director. Barbara Harrison initiated important connections with key land owners, and oversaw the trust’s first land acquisitions. The first acquisition was finalized the following December, when VHC accepted a two-acre hillside parcel in the city’s west side from the Dominguez family. In March 2008, VHC produced “Hills on Wheels,” a cycling Many children participated in the Wildflower Walkabout.

In May of 2006, the Conservancy produced its seventh outreach event with the support of the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society: “Wildflower Walkabout, Too.” The botanical tour followed the trails of Arroyo Verde Park. In November of the same year, the land trust partnered with the Pacific Athletic Club to organize the first “Turkey Roundup Run.” The popular annual event introduced runners to the joys of the sport of trail 4

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

Spring 2013

The Conservancy got its feet wet and hands dirty tackling the hard work of land restoration with the help of CSUCI students as they tackled arrundo donax removal on the Ventura River properties in May 2010. In January 2011, VHC accepted its largest conservation parcel - the 15 acre Bonsall Property. Part of a settlement agreement involving the California Fish & Game Department and the County of Ventura, the transaction was to spur controversy surrounding donor valuation claims.

Ventura River Trail used in “Hills on Wheels” cycling event.

event on the Ventura River Trail. The event was the first in the Ventura River corridor, which has since become a focal point of activity for the trust. Within a year, VHC accepted a gift of two acres from the Gene Wave Waldo Trust, thereby becoming the first non-profit organization to manage land in the lower watershed expressively for conservation and passive recreation purposes. The site has since become a location for the Ventura Audubon Society’s Annual Christmas Bird Count project.

In May 2011, the Conservancy joined with other organizations under the umbrella of the Friends of the Ventura River to launch the Ventura River Parkway project with a picnic in the estuary area.

In September 2012, the Conservancy accepted two additional river properties, bringing the total conservation acreage to 27 acres. In April 2013, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy celebrated its ten-year anniversary.

In March of 2010, VHC became a host of the nationally touring “Wild & Scenic Film Festival,” now in its fourth year at Poinsettia Pavilion. The first event featured Watershed Revolution, a documentary that featured VHC’s own work and which won Best Documentary Short at the Ojai-Ventura Film Festival.

Spring 2013

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

VHC History Timeline compiled by Stephen Svete

2003

April Press conference at Arroyo Verde Park announces founding of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy September 1st Ventura Hillsides Music Festival in Arroyo Verde Park – features Jackson Brown, Keb’ Mo’, Jack Johnson, Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson October Take a Walk on the Wild Side, VHC’s second outreach event, is produced in Arroyo Verde Park, establishing a tradition of environmental education November Conservancy receives $20,000 gift from anonymous donor for “gift of hope” 2004 July VHC enters partnering agreement with City of Ventura to provide volunteers for regular park cleanups September Conservancy receives $200,000 from State Coastal Conservancy for pre-acquisition planning efforts 2005 July 3rd Music Festival announces Los Lobos, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and Donavon Frankenreiter, features Hurricane Katrina relief partnership 2006 May Wildflower Walkabout, Too! , VHC’s 7th outreach event, features local botany and Hawaiian dance July Conservancy receives $20,000 grant from Wallis Foundation November VHC partners with Pacific Athletic Club to produce 1st Turkey Roundup Run 2007 February 4th annual meeting produced as Community Forum and Open House May Conservancy hires first Executive Director, Barbara Harison December VHC accepts first land donation – the Tierra Dominguez property 2008 March Conservancy produces Hills on Wheels cycling event on Ventura River Trail 2009 February VHC accepts Ventura River land donation – two properties from the Gene Wave Waldo Trust – first property conserved since announcement of Ventura River Parkway project November Watershed Revolution, film featuring VHC, wins Best Documentary Short at Ojai-Ventura Film Festival 2010 January 3rd land donation accepted – Moore property adds to Ventura River conservation holdings March VHC hosts 1st Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, 75 new memberships gained May Stewardship Committee spearheads restoration of river conservation properties with help from CSUCI students 2011 January Conservancy accepts 15-acre river property from Buz Bonsall as part of Fish & Game settlement September VHC produces 9th Hillsides Music Festival, featuring Fabulous Thunderbirds, Blind Boys of Alabama, and David Lindley 2012 May Conservancy joins Friends of the Ventura River to host Ventura River Parkway picnic September Conservancy acquires two additional Ventura River properties, bringing conservation acreage to 27 acres 2013 January VHC accepts $5000 Miracle Grants Program from Patagonia for restoration in Ventura River estuary March Conservancy hosts 4th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, featuring Eviction Day a film documenting estuary restoration challenges April Conservancy celebrates 10th Anniversary

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Restoring Our Degraded Estuary:

A Community Effort

By Derek Poultney

“We have accomplished a lot as a group, each organization filling a niche in the overall campaign to clean up the river and establish the Parkway. Thank you all for your collaboration and cheers to a productive 2013.”

– Paul Jenkin, Friends of the Ventura River, Surfrider, Matilija Coalition 6

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eclaiming “Hobo Jungle” — In a few short months the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) and a great coalition of volunteers, non-profits, government agencies, and local businesses took a public nuisance and environmental liability and transformed it into a community asset. Known for decades as “hobo jungle,” the Ventura River estuary now has reclaimed some of its former natural glory.

Homeless Re-Settled — Just last summer 2012, the upper estuary property that would become VHC’s “Willoughby Preserve” was littered with homeless encampments and hundreds of tons of trash. As soon as escrow opened in June 2012, VHC Development and Conservation Managers, Lee Sherman and Derek Poultney began notifying river dwellers about the upcoming change of ownership and gave them an ample 60 days to relocate.

Further, Sherman and Poultney brought several social service professionals and case workers down into the river to directly engage with and assist the campers. By the time escrow closed in September, when volunteers began removing non-native, invasive Arundo donax, only one out of about 30 campers Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

was still actively living on our property (and this one moved along in early October).

Clean Up — But now there would be decades of accumulated trash to clean up. After six monthly Saturday morning clean-ups, ranging in size from 6 to 60 volunteers per event, a day of trash removal by the City of Ventura, and an incredible Martin Luther King’s birthday morning with over 140 volunteers from Patagonia and the Ventura County Democratic Club, the Willoughby property is now clean – way ahead of schedule! About 100 tons of trash was removed in about 8 mornings over six months. Please be sure to see CAPS’ great video summary of our clean-up efforts at: www. venturahillsides.org.

Future Benefits — The Willoughby Preserve will be one of the highlights of the Ventura River Parkway, which will reconnect Ventura to its river and thereby serve as the backbone of environmental infrastructure and community health for the lower watershed for the next century.

Public Access Coming — Habitat restoration and trail enhancement activities are in preparation for opening up the preserve to the public this summer.

Spring 2013

Gratitude for Clean up Crews We couldn’t have done it without all the organizations and volunteers that have united to form Friends of the Ventura River, a coalition of partners including the State Coastal Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, California State Parks, National Parks Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, Coastal Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), Environmental Defense Center, Tortilla Flats Archive, Project Understanding, Downtown Ventura Organization, Downtown Ventura Partners, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau, Ventura Audubon, Ventura Water as well as the City of Ventura’s Community Development, Environmental Sustainability and Parks and Recreation departments, Ventura Social Services Task Force, Ventura Surfrider, Santa Barbara Channel Keeper, Ventura Citizens for Hillsides Preservation, South Coast Habitat Restoration, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Concerned Resource Environmental Workers (CREW), California Conservation Corps, and E.J. Harrisons & Sons. Critical funding for Friends of the Ventura River was provided by generous grants from Patagonia. Thank you Ventura for all your amazing support

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Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

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10 Wonderful years of

VENTURA

Photo: Amanda Peacock

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Music Festivals

We sincerely thank Lynn Bartosh (left) and the many volunteers. Without their hardwork and dedication, these music festivals would not be possible.

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Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

Spring 2013

Photos: Robert Louis Chianese

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy — Past and Present Trustees Founding 2003: Brooke Ashworth Pat Perkins Martha Zieher Donna Santo William B. Smith Stephen Svete Ken Merideth

Added 2007: Gary Bednorz

Added 2008: Tom Weisel (Zeiher, Santo cycle off)

“Communities are stronger when they have positive projects that unite people and allow them to work together. VHC gives all of us a chance to make permanent contributions to the special lifestyle we all value so much here in Ventura. Thank goodness a core group of volunteers works hard to keep this opportunity open for us.” — Steve Bennett, Ventura County Supervisor “Congratulations to the Conservancy on its 10 year anniversary. The Conservancy is a gift to Ventura. Preserving and conserving open space is so important for our quality of life. I am especially appreciative of the efforts to restore the Ventura River bottom to its natural habitat for public use.”

—Cheryl Heitmann, Deputy Mayor, City of Ventura “There is nothing more critical for conservation and restoration than having a strong local land conservancy. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy fills that important role, and has proven its worth through the recent progress in cleaning up the Ventura River.”—Paul Jenkin, Surfrider Foundation, Ventura Chapter “As a local policy maker and advocate for farmland and open space preservation, I admire and value all the hard work done by the VHC Board and its members.”

— Brian Brennan, Councilmember, City of Ventura Spring 2013

Added 2009: Jamie King (Merideth cycles off) Bob Bartosh

Added 2011: TimCoonan (Perkins cycles off) Gerhardt Hubner

Richard Francis, appointed to the Board in September, 2012, has been a community activist for all of his 30-plus years in Ventura.

Richard co-founded and authored the SOAR initiatives, which protect agriculture and open-space, putting him at the forefront of environmental protection issues throughout the county. As the former Mayor of the City of Ventura, and the owner/director of his own multiattorney law firm, he brings unique skills to the Board. Richard enjoys traveling and being “empty nesters” with his wife, Nancy, who is a Planning Commissioner for the City of Ventura, having raised their twins Hannah and Dillon, each currently attending different UC campuses.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

Added 2012: Comden (Svete cycles off) Richard Francis (Bartosh cycles off)

Current 2013: Tim Coonan Brooke Ashworth Tom Weisel David Comden Richard Francis Jamie King Gerhardt Hubner

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Board of Trustees Tim Coonan, President Tom Weisel, Vice-President Gerhardt Hubner, Secretary Brooke Ashworth Richard Francis David Comden Jamie L. King — Our Mission — To preserve the hillsides, canyons, and open space that contribute to the natural environment and unique character of the City of San Buenaventura and the surrounding region for the benefit of present and future generations

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

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #602 OXNARD, CA

www.venturahillsides.org • Printed on recycled paper.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy PO Box 1284 • Ventura, CA 93002 A ddress S ervice R e q uested

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Community Meeting Wed. April 24, 5-6PM, Grand Conference Room, 2nd floor, Patagonia HQ. Come learn about the Conservancy’s progress in the past year, our work on the Ventura River Parkway and our plans for the future. The preConservancy’s latest acquisition, the nine-acre Willoughby property, right behind Patagonia in the Ventura River bottom (closed-toe, comfortable shoes recommended).

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Photo: Robert Louis Chianese

sentation will be followed by a brief tour of the

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Outlook

Spring 2013