CSUCI Students and Scientists jump start Stewardship Activities on Ventura River Parcels

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy has taken initial steps to steward two recent land donations along the Ventura River Parkway south of Foster Park: the Moore and Waldo Trust properties. A generous grant of $6,900 from the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project and ongoing volunteer support have made this effort possible. Over 20 undergraduate students from California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) braved the wilds of the Ventura River last Fall to assist the Conservancy with mapping the location and quantity of invasive plant species via GPS.

This western harvest mouse is one of several small mammals encountered.

Under the tutelage of Professor Cathy Schwemm of CSUCI’s Environmental Science and Resource Management Department, students navigated through dense vegetation and arthropod assaults to discover about a tenth of an acre of invasive nonnative plants onsite. In a separate and related effort, volunteer biologists are conducting ongoing “baseline” biological surveys of the properties to understand better what natural resources are present and their long-term management requirements. Activities include monthly bird surveys, vegetation mapping, and small mammal trapping. Harvest mouse, woodrat, great blue heron, western scrub jay, cedar waxwing, bobcat, and many other animals have already been documented onsite. The final map and assessment of the properties, once completed this summer, will help create a Stewardship Plan, outlining the intended uses of the properties and the long-term management and funding needed by the land trust for their protection and maintenance in perpetuity. VHC wants to thank the following volunteers for their support in this recent effort: Cathy Schwemm and CSUCI students, Tim Coonan, Dirk Rodriguez, Jackie Worden, Elise Kelley, Tom and Kellin Weisel, and Jamie King.

More broadly, the Conservancy’s Stewardship Committee now oversees the evaluation and stewardship of all lands potentially and actually under our protection. The committee is made up of a group of Trustees, Advisors, and members of the Conservancy and consists of Tim Coonan, Tricia Ainsworth, Mel Willis, Gerhardt Hubner, John Hecht, Jackie Worden, Jamie King and Tom Weisel.

About the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy.  The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is dedicated to permanently preserving the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the unique character and natural environment of the Ventura region.  VHC works with landowners to help identify a property’s conservation value.  Landowners can then work with their advisors to evaluate conservation scenarios and potential incentives that fit the property and the family’s needs.  Donations to the Conservancy are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Further information about the Conservancy log is available on the web site at www.venturahillsides.org, or by calling 805-643-8044.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Recieves Third Land Donation

VENTURA, CA (January 25, 2010).   The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is the recipient of a third donation of land to add to its conservation holdings.  The gift came from Ventura County residents Donald Moore and Gary Moore.  The parcel, consisting of approximately ½ acre, is adjacent to the two parcels donated to the Conservancy in 2009 by the Waldo Trust. The Moore and Waldo properties are located between the Ventura River and the Ventura River Trail to the south of Foster Park.

Donald Moore, who lives in Ojai, and his younger brother, Gary Moore, who lives in Ventura, donated the scenic riverside property that they inherited from their parents, Leslie Moore and Neva Moore.  The family chose to give the acreage to the local land trust to ensure that it would be protected as open space, said Donald Moore.  Gary Moore added that he was pleased to give the lush riparian area to the Conservancy because “it should be protected from development.”

Like the Waldo Trust parcels, the Moore property is a remnant of a larger lot that once fronted Ventura Avenue, and was created from the old Rancho Santa Ana subdivision.  As children, the brothers recall living in a house on land that is now part of the Ojai Freeway (State Route 33).  They have fond memories of playing in and around the Ventura River. “It was a vibrant neighborhood” says Gary Moore. “It was a great place for a kid to grow up.  I spent most of my early childhood in the river bottom and climbing the nearby hill.  I rolled through so much poison oak that I basically became immune to it.  I also remember that there were no leash laws back then and everyone seemed to have a dog running around. It truly was a special place.”

When the state built the Freeway in the 1960s, large portions of the Moore, Waldo, and neighboring properties were taken through eminent domain, leaving a string of remnant parcels along the riverside west of the State right of way.  The remnant parcel donated by the Moore family had remained in the Moore family’s ownership since that time.  The Moores were very pleased to have found an organization that will hold and care for their family’s property.  “We know the property is in good hands now, and that is comforting to us” says Gary Moore.  “I encourage other owners of Ventura River land and hillside land to donate to the Conservancy.  They are our local protectors of open space land, so we all should support their mission.”

“This generous donation is important because it shows our continuing commitment to the Ventura River Parkway project that was announced by the Trust for Public Land and the State Coastal Conservancy a few years ago” says Executive Director Matt Sayles.  The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy serves as a key facilitator of the Parkway project, and is the only entity willing to hold land for conservation purposes in the lower Ventura River valley.  The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy holds several properties along the river north of Foster Park.  “These parcels are in a relatively undisturbed riparian state” says Jamie King, Conservancy Trustee and professional biologist.  “Only minor restoration work is needed.  As riparian habitat supportive of river-dependent species, it is quite high quality.”

The Conservancy hopes the Moore donation – like the Waldo donation before it --  will inspire other landowners along the river to participate in the vision for the parkway.  “Often what is considered remnant land in difficult floodplain setting actually has high conservation value and positive benefits as conserved land for habitat protection and public access to the river” says King.

Watershed Revolution Receives Best Documentary Short at Ojai-Ventura Film Festival

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy featured in Locally Produced Film

Ventura, CA (November 10, 2009): The local film Watershed Revolution has received the honor of Best Documentary Short at the 10th anniversary of the Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival in Ojai this past weekend.

Watershed Revolution is a locally produced film that asks the question, “What is a watershed?”  The answer is explored through interviews with people working to protect and preserve the Ventura River, while stunning high definition cinematography and time-lapse photography brings to life the beauty of the river.

The 30-minute film profiles community members and organizations working to protect and restore our watershed. It highlights the need for open space and floodplain protection, sustainable agriculture, and community awareness of our most precious resource: water.

“It was humbling to be honored with Best Short Documentary in my home town for our first film festival.’ said Rich Reid, producer of the film. 

“This film is already increasing awareness about the community of people working to protect and restore the Ventura River, and we hope to inspire others to get involved,” said the co-director Paul Jenkin.  The Surfrider Foundation is the primary sponsor of the film.

For more about the film please visit  www.watershedrevolution.com

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Co-hosts 4th Annual
Turkey Roundup Run

Ventura, CA (October 7, 2009): Aloha Steakhouse presents two cross-country races, a kids' run and a family fun event in support of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy. The 4th Annual Aloha Turkey Roundup will take place Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Arroyo Verde Park. N’Step Events has organized the event in partnership with the Conservancy. Walkers as well as runners are welcome to this varied-terrain course, which will traverse trails, grass, and some paved roads in the lower section of Arroyo Verde Park.

A 1K Kids Run will begin at 8:30AM, followed by an 8K Run and 4K Run/Walk at 9:00 AM. Registration forms are available at the Conservancy’s website or on-line registration at www.active.com. Race day registration begins at 8:00 AM at Arroyo Corto picnic area. 

Fees for the 8K and 4K are $25 for adults, $20 for youth/senior and $10 for the Kids Run, plus a $5 fee for those who register on race day. In addition to T-shirts and winner prizes, registration includes a pancake breakfast, hosted by the Aloha Steakhouse. Turkeys, donated by US Food Services, will be awarded to first place 8K finishers along with medals for 2nd and 3rd in each age category. All Kids Run finishers will receive medals as well as the top 10 male and female finishers in the 4K.

And they're off! Kids 1k participants in the 2008 Turkey Roundup hoof it through Arroyo Verde Park.

So come and enjoy a beautiful morning in the hills in support of a great cause.  Please remember that parking is limited and walk, run or pedal to the park if you can.  If you are interested in volunteering for the event please contact the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy by phone or email.

See you there!