Ron Singer, OVLC Nursery Manager, will be offering native plants from the Ojai Meadows Preserve nursery at the Museum’s Native Plant and Treasure Sale on May 12th.

The Ojai Valley Museum combines two fabulous shopping opportunities/fund raisers on Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Help support the Exhibition and Outreach Programs of the museum as you “go native” buying plants in the Back Courtyard, and collecting Treasures in the Front Courtyard!!  

With this 8^th annual Native Plant Sale, the Ojai Valley Museum offers its membership and the greater Ojai Valley community, numerous species and varieties of native and drought resistant plants suitable for climate and water conditions of the Ojai Valley and nearby southern California valley communities. Laurence Nicklin (Plantasia Landscaping) and Scott Smith (Euterpe Farms) will be on hand to provide professional advice about the care and maintenance of the specialty plants they have available for purchase.

In addition, for the first time, Friend’s Ranches of Ojai will be represented with Pixie and Tango trees for sale. This is an extra special opportunity to add these Ojai-specific fruit trees to your pastoral setting! Please note that according to federal quarantine law, citrus trees cannot be transported out of the Ojai Valley. Only two trees will be sold per household. Pixies and Tangos will be available for tasting the delectable fruit your new trees will bear.

Jim Combs, Chairman of the Plant Sale Committee says, “Part of our mission at the museum is to educate our community, so our plant sale includes Master Gardeners providing gratis advice to shoppers, free mini-lecture(s) on relevant subjects, as well as the expertise of the growers on hand.

For the third time in the 45-year history of the Ojai Valley Museum, the institution combines a Treasure Sale with the Native Plant Sale. The front courtyard of the museum will be dedicated to selling specially selected treasures, including de-accessioned items from the museum’s permanent collection, personally solicited private donations including original production animation cels, furniture, china, ‘objet d’art’, kitchen ware, electronics, antiques, collectibles, framed art, and more! All items are of pristine quality and fairly priced by volunteer experts!

As of last year, the combined Plant and Treasure Sales became an annual combined fundraiser for the Ojai Valley Museum. Come help us by shopping this now yearly, unique shopping opportunity! The museum’s goal is to raise $10,000 for its programs and exhibitions by the end of the day!

The Ojai Valley Museum gratefully acknowledges the Sponsors/Vendors of the May 12^th Event: Aqua Flo Supply, BernScott Pottery, California Native Plant Society, Euterpe Farms, Friend’s Ranches, Janet Jacobs Pottery, Mark Hatten (Tri Valley Tree), Medicine Shoppe of Ojai, Matthews Chiropractic, Ojai Land Conservancy, Plantasia Landscaping and Quick Plumbing and Heating Company.

The Ojai Valley Museum, established in 1967, is generously supported in part by Museum Members, Private Donors, Business Sponsors and Underwriters, the Smith-Hobson Foundation, Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, City of Ojai, and the Rotary Club of Ojai.

The event will be held at the Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Avenue. For more information, call 640-1390 x 203. For gallery hours and exhibit information visit the museum website at: http://www.ojaivalleymuseum.org/ and Facebook Ojai Valley Museum

May 11, 2012, 7:00 – 8:30 PM,  Slide Show at OVLC Offices 

May 12, 2012, 8:00 – 9:30 AM,  Ojai Meadows Preserve Bird Count & Walk

WILD ABOUT OJAI: Environmental Learning Series: Birds of the Valley In Partnership with Cornell’s Celebrate Urban Birds Project.  Presented by Allen Bertke from the Audubon Society.

Bullock's Oriole

On Friday evening, Allen Bertke, Ventura Audubon member and bird photographer extraordinaire will present a slideshow of stunning bird photographs identifying migratory birds frequently seen in the Ojai Valley.  Many of these birds have returned to the Valley in response to the restoration of the Ojai Meadows Preserve where, at last count, nearly 200 species have been sited.

Participants will learn to identify Ojai’s many feathered friends, where to look for them, how to plan a habitat within the home landscape, and also gain valuable information on birding supplies and publications.  There will be special attention to the 12 species of birds that will be the focus of the Saturday morning bird count.  The first 50 participants will receive a free bird kit that includes a  colorful poster, bi-lingual bird identification material, a sticker and a packet of seeds.   The results of the bird count will be reported to Cornell University’s school of Ornithology.

The Celebrate Urban Birds project is one of the Cornell’s many citizen science programs.  The Celebrate Urban Birds focus is on educating communities about habitat improvement and bird identification through the arts and group events like this Wild about Ojai.  Those who wish to participate in the bird count should meet at the Kiosk at the Meadows Preserve at 8 AM.  Bring binoculars if you have them (OVLC will have a few available).  After the count has been done and we have collected the data forms Allen will lead a more leisurely bird photography walk on the Meadow.

This Wild about Ojai event is free to members, teachers & students and $10 for non-members.  Become a member today!  A family membership is just $35 per year.  The OVLC offices are at 370 W. Baldwin Road, Building A-4, in Ojai (on HELP of Ojai’s West Campus).  The Ojai Meadows Preserve is on Hwy. 33 next to Nordhoff High School.

There is a beautiful new bridge in town and it is NOT YET at the Ojai Meadows Preserve.  If you were one of the 100 people who attended the grand opening of the new bridge at the confluence of San Antonio Creek and the Ventura River recently then you witnesses history in the making.

Story details:   http://www.venturariver.org/2012/03/san-antonio-creek-bridge-completed.html

In the news:   http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/mar/12/trail-bridge-opens-promising-benefits-to-people/

By the way the permit for the new bridge at the Ojai Meadows Preserve has been issued.  OVLC staff met with contractors this week!

Greg Gamble, OVLC’s Executive Director will serve as a panelists on the Eco-adventures discussion during the Ecotourism Forum in Ojai on April 14-15.

This Forum is designed to be a first step conversation among the businesses and organizations that can create and mutually benefit from an Ecotourism economy in the Ojai Valley. You are all welcome to attend this event.

Also note the registration deadline is April 12. Because we are self-sponsoring the event, we are asking all participants to register so we can get an accurate count and provide lunches and refreshments. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Weaver at .A. Michael Weaver at 805.646.4745.

Forum on the New Ojai Economy II – Ecotourism
April 14 & 15, 2012
Meditation Mount

SATURDAY

9:30 – 10:00 Registration
10:00 – 10:05 Convening. Why we’re here. Mike Weaver
10:05 – 10:15 Keynote Speaker – County Supervisor Steve Bennett
10:15 – 11:15 Ojai: A Special Place – Presentation on history, geography, geology, biology, spiritual, art, healing, cultures, climate. – Ellen Hall, Ojai’s Record as a Green and Sustainable Community – Caryn Bosson & Deborah Pendrey, What is Ecotourism? – Mike Weaver
11:15 – 11:30 Break
11:30 – 12:10 Eco Adventures Facilitator – Bret Bradigan
Ojai Rotary West ©, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (c), Trails by Potter (c), Cloud C Climbers Jeep Tours (c), Ojai on Horseback (c)
12:10 – 1:00 Walk to the Point / Lunch on premises
1:00 – 1:45 Spiritual Pilgrimages & Wellness Facilitator -Ellen Hall
Krishnamurti Foundation ©, Ojai Retreat ©, Lulu Bhanda’s ©, The Well (c)
1:45 – 2:30 Agritourism & Food Facilitator – Bret Bradigan
Ojai Foundation ©, The Farmer & the Cook ©, Ojai Olive Oil (c), Casa Barranca (p), Ojai Winery (p)
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 3:30 Responsible Lodging & Transportation Facilitator – Kathy Hartley
Casa Ojai ©, Ojai Valley Inn ©, The Mob Shop ©, Blue & Emerald Iguanas (p)
3:30 – 3:45 Destination Ojai – Scott Eicher
Ecotourism Models in Other Communitites – Cynthia Grier
3:45 – 4:00 Closing Discussion – Kathy Nolan

Audience asked to consider their role in and ideas for an Ecotourism Ojai initiative. Come back on Sunday prepared to share.

• How would Ecotourism benefit you and your organization/business?
• How would Ecotourism benefit the community?
• How would your efforts complement others? What collaborations with other businesses/organizations do you see as mutually beneficial?
• What do you recommend for a next step?
4:00 End

SUNDAY
10:00 – 10:15 Reconvening – District 31 Assemblyman Das Williams ©
10:15 – 10:30 Green/Eco Certification programs – Cynthia Grier
Sample Itineraries and Packages – Ellen Hall & Kathy Nolan
Ecotourism in Ojai – Principles & Feasibility – Mike Weaver
10:30 – 11:15 General Discussion answering questions from Saturday
11:15 – 11:30 Break
11:30 – 1:00 Next Steps – All
1:00 End

EarthPlay is a family oriented community event celebrating sustainable living, global awareness, and the joy of nature. This year EarthPlay’s sponsors, Food for Thought, Oak Grove School, Ojai Valley Green Coalition, and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, are inviting all students in the Valley to submit artwork, essays, poetry or performance pieces. Individual students, entire classes, or clubs are welcome. Selected essays and poems will be read on the main stage by the student authors, and art work will be displayed. Performance pieces will be scheduled for the main stage and can be anything from a song or dance to a “green” fashion show – the more creative the better! Performances must be 15 minutes or less. Schools that participate are welcome to host a table at the event at no charge.

All entries should reflect one of the following quotes:

“The First Law of Ecology: Everything Is Connected To Everything Else”
-Barry Commoner

“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, one finds it attached to the
rest of the world.” -John Muir

“Life and the environment are one thing, not two, and people, as all life, are
immersed in the one system. When we influence nature, we influence ourselves;
when we change nature, we change ourselves.” -Daniel B. Botkin

A complete description of the performance pieces must be submitted by Monday April 2, 2012. The due date for essays, poems and artwork is Friday, April 13, 2012. Join us with your children to celebrate the Earth together. For details contact Marti Reid at 649-6852 x2 or marti@ovlc.org.

The Sespe Fly Fishers Club recently recognized Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s commitment to preservation of the environment and support for local conservation through direct action in the Ojai Valley.

Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, is committed to supporting local conservation efforts. Couinard is also a fly fisherman and member of the Sespe Fly Fishers Club which promotes fly fishing, habitat conservation and education in Ventura County. Recently the Sespe Fly Fishers helped the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s (OVLC) restoration efforts by planting native plants at the Rice Creek realignment site on the Ventura River Preserve. Important projects like the realignment of Rice Creek would not be possible without help from groups such as the Sespe Fly Fishers Club.

The Rice Creek realignment on the Ventura River Preserve is well underway. Historically, Rice Creek flowed out of Rice Canyon and traversed the upper bench that once was home to the mighty Ventura River. In the 1920’s, however, Rice Creek was placed behind artificial levees and shot off a cliff into the current Ventura River Floodplain. The channelization of the stream severed its hydrologic connection to the Ventura River and de-watered 3,700 feet of the historic stream. Later this summer, thanks to scores of volunteers, generous grants, and OVLC staff Rice Creek will be re-routed back to its historic route.

Placing the stream back into its historic route is important for several reasons. First, re-watering the stream in its natural route will reconnect the stream to the Ventura River in a natural confluence. These wetted stream channels act as thoroughfares for migrating wildlife. When we re-create connections, we are uniting ecological connections between the lower floodplains of the River and the hillside habitats. Nature is all about connections. Replacing the stream will also create new habitats for birds and wildlife. The artificial route of the stream flowed through a narrow drainage ditch and then through the rocky substrates of the Ventura River floodplain. The soil conditions along that route did not support the same lush vegetation as the deeper and more nutrient rich soil along the historic route. The difference in habitat quality is substantial. Aligning the stream with its historic route also re-unites the visible stream with its original sub-surface hydrology. Your support and that of people from around Ventura County make this land healing work possible.

Sespe Fly Fishers Club is a member organization of the Federation of Fly Fishers, promoting fly fishing, habitat conservation, and education in Ventura County, CA. If you are interested in fly fishing you should check out their website at sespeflyfishers.org. They offer fly tying classes and regular outings.

Please thank the sponsors below for helping the Ojai Valley stay beautiful and healthy by patronizing their places of business when possible.  If you would like information on becoming a business sponsor click  2012 OVLC Business Sponsorships Levels.

You can become a member online today. For questions or to become a member over the phone call Darcy Gamble at (805) 649-6852 x6.

Ojai Meadows Sponsorship Level

BitVision Technology Group www.bitvision.com (805) 640-3300 The Bitvision Technology Group specializes in computer and network installation, repair, and support for small business owners. (In kind)

Rabobank, Ojai, CA. www.rabobankamerica.com (805) 667-6562 The agricultural heritage of the Ojai Valley is important to its residents and businesses. Rabobank is proud to have roots in agriculture and to be a valued partner to farmers and ranchers throughout California. Rabobank builds long-term partnerships with its customers, understands their businesses, their market, and their unique financial needs.

Old Creek Ranch Winery www.oldcreekranch.com (805) 649-4132 Open 11 to 5 dailyOwners: Carmel and John WhitmanLocated on a historic ranch off Highway 33 on Old Creek Road between Ojai and Ventura; the winery is a great place to learn about wine, buy wine, and enjoy afternoon picnics.

Bostrom & Associates, Inc. www.bostrominc.com 805-646.2992 Founded in 1998, Bostrom & Associates Landscape Architecture serves clients with a variety of project needs including public, commercial, institutional, and private estates. Completed projects include landscapes that range in size from parks and campuses to public plazas and private gardens.

San Antonio Sponsorship Level

	Channel Island Sport Fishing Doug and Liz Vernand
Law Office of Thomas E. Malley

Sulphur Mountain Sponsorship Level

	MEINERS OAKS HARDWARE
	“Premier Marketer of Avocados”www.indexfresh.com

Ojai – The California Conservation Corps, Camarillo Crew 22 worked with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Preserve Manager and volunteers to help save the Wills Canyon trail on the Ventura River Preserve from destruction. Check out the cool soil wrap technique used to stabilize this trail.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors Proclaims: Eat Local, Buy California Grown Day

WHEREAS, California has a rich heritage and is one of the world’s most prolific agricultural regions. California foods are famous for their abundance, diversity, freshness, and high quality.  Buying California-grown food helps local family farmers, California food producers, and California employees and their families, contributing billions of dollars to the local economy each year; and

 WHEREAS, Buying locally grown California products is better for the environment.  Food trucked or flown into California has a heavier carbon footprint as it travels for many days, unlike products grown just hours or minutes away.  Eighty-five percent of California consumers say that it is important to them to purchase foods “grown in California” and 41 percent of California consumers say that “California grown” is more important to them today than it was a year ago; and

 WHEREAS, Buying California-grown food ensures a higher level of food safety and food safety standards. California strictly regulates food producers for the benefit of consumers. California products such as produce, livestock, milk, fish, floriculture, wine, dried fruits, nuts, and canned fruits and vegetables have the strictest safety and quality assurance standards of any state in the nation or world; and 

WHEREAS, California farmers grow more than 300 food products including livestock, poultry and seafood, produce, grains, dairy products, and wine valued at $35 billion each year.  Buying California food helps ensure that family farmers will sustain their historical production systems and the valuable land that grows crops and raises livestock; and

WHEREAS, In a time of economic distress for our state, the support of California products will help keep critical dollars within the state for the benefit of Californians, strengthening the state’s communities, economies, and businesses. By purchasing locally produced, or produced and processed, floriculture, fiber, and food, consumers will boost local business, which in turn helps the local and state government through increased tax revenues;     

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors takes great pleasure in proclaiming Sundays as “Eat Local, Buy California Grown Day” in Ventura County,  and encourages families, restaurants, and grocers to buy California-grown floriculture, fiber, and foods, such as fresh chicken, flowers, and produce because supporting California-grown food products will result in higher food quality, improved food safety, and higher environmental and animal welfare standards, in addition to significant economic benefits.    

 PRESENTED THIS FEBRUARY 14, 2012