About the Conservancy
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PROTECTED OPEN SPACE 
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What
is the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC)?
The Conservancy is a volunteer, community-based group of private citizens working for the common goal of preserving open space in the Ojai Valley for your benefit and the benefit of future generations.
Why is there a need for
conservation
in the Ojai Valley?
The Ojai Valley is blessed with ideal living conditions and its stunning beauty inspires comparison to the mythical land of Shangri-La. Because Ojai is a small valley surrounded by mountains with limited open space, water and air resources, it is critical to preserve remaining open space to keep the things that make our community special. While there exist excellent regulations governing development and a great deal of work has gone into protecting the valley environment over the years, these regulations are vulnerable to the changing political landscape and growing development pressures. OVLC permanently protects our remaining open spaces from further development.
How does the OVLC operate?
As a nonprofit, tax exempt corporation, we acquire, hold and manage land in the public interest. We also preserve open space through voluntary conservation agreements with landowners which permanently protects the land from development, while the title remains with the landowner. The Conservancy also works in partnership with local governments, provides education, and pursues land restoration and enhancement projects.
Where does the OVLC get its funding?
We receive the vast majority of our funding from local individuals and businesses who care about retaining Ojai Valley’s unique characteristics. Grants from various sources sometimes help with land acquisition and ecological restoration projects. We have a small staff and a large number of dedicated and talented volunteers who help to make our conservancy a success.
Does the OVLC conduct educational programs?
We provide a variety of educational programs to help local residents to better understand the importance of open space, and the natural and agricultural heritage of the valley. Volunteers and staff regularly lead hikes, open to the public, on our preserves and throughout the Ojai Valley. School groups are frequent visitors to our preserves, and several schools make use of our properties as outdoor classrooms.
Does the OVLC restore habitat?
OVLC is engaged in extensive habitat/native plant community restoration on several of or properties. These projects range from wetlands restoration on the Ojai Meadows Preserve (which will have the added benefit of alleviating flooding on Maricopa Highway) to streambank restoration at the Confluence of San Antonio Creek and Ventura River, to native plant restoration on Ventura River Preserve.
How Can I Help?
Become a member. Support from members gives OVLC the resources to provide its many conservation, preservation, recreation and education activities. Memberships are available for as little as $25 a year. Members receive newsletters and other benefits.
Become a Volunteer. Conservation and Restoration activities require the efforts of many. Whether in the office, on the preserves, or leading hikes, we are always looking for good volunteers. If you have a skill or expertise not mentioned that you would like to contribute, let us know. For more info, please give us a call at
805.649.OVLC (6852) or email info@ovlc.org.
Give a gift. Your charitable gifts make an important difference in what we are able to accomplish and are in most cases tax-deductible. OVLC accepts gifts of cash, in-kind items, investments, real estate, workplace giving and bequests.
2008 Board of Directors
How To Contact Staff
Call us at 805.649.OVLC (6852), drop by our office at 370 W. Baldwin Road (the old Honor Farm),
or send us a note at:
P.O. Box
1092
Ojai, CA 93024
Each Conservancy staff
member can also be contacted through the following email addresses:
The Ojai
Valley Land Conservancy
Office Address: 370 W. Baldwin Road (the old Honor Farm)
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1092 � Ojai, CA 93024
Phone: 805.649.OVLC (6852) � Fax: 805.649.8931 � ovlc@ovlc.org
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Last Updated:
02/04/2008
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