Bulletins....
Ventura River Parkway
VCHP was excited to see our vision for the hillsides move forward with the expansion of the mission of our local land trust. In September 2017, fourteen years after forming, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy changed its name to Ventura Land Trust (VLT). With a growing diversity of projects, membership, business partnerships and funding, Ventura Land Trust’s Board of Trustees and staff adopted a the new name that better reflects its mission and expanding scope of work.
The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is well-known for its success at preserving, transforming and protecting Ventura’s open space. Utilizing the support of thousands of volunteers and hundreds of individuals and businesses, the non-profit land trust also leads dozens of volunteer activities, facilitates year-round community and student education programs and hosts the popular Wild and Scenic Film Festival each year.
“The time is right to update our name and look,” said Derek Poultney, VLT Executive Director. “While we remain very dedicated to protecting Ventura’s hillsides, we are just as committed to maximizing open space preservation and providing public access to nature throughout the entire Ventura region.”
Rancho San Buenaventura Conservation Trust
In 2017 another land trust was formed named the Rancho San Buenaventura Conservation Trust (aka Rancho Ventura Conservation Trust) that has acquired 1,612 acres in the hillside area above Ventura. It is the proud owner of the new eastern-most tree at Two Trees. It is currently sponsoring guided hikes until it determines how best to provide public access since some of the land will continue to be operated as a working ranch.
Thomas Fire update (OVLC, VLT & RVCT)
The Beauty of the Ventura Hillsides & Surrounding Open Space
The hillside backdrop to the historic City of San Buenaventura (Ventura) abounds with delightful natural treasures. The majority of these precious open space lands are still in private ownership, but since the hillsides are still open space wild lands, almost 200 species of bird, mammal and plant species are able to thrive. Some of these species are considered rare by the State of California. This backdrop also boasts the crown jewels of the Ventura hillsides, TWO TREES, which are the great Australian forest tree, Eucalyptus Globulus. Over the past 150 years these trees were commonly used by California ranchers as windbreaks bordering agricultural fields.
Some of the best bird watching in Ventura County is along Canada Larga Road, just off Highway 33 north of Ventura. This two lane country road is bordered on both sides by the historic Spanish Rancho Canada Larga y Verde Larga (large green canyon), commonly known as Rancho Canada Larga.
Park your car alongside this rural byway, and as you walk along Canada Larga Road you will notice at least a half dozen species of hawks, several falcon species, and turkey vultures soaring overhead. Small songbirds abound in great numbers. Coveys of quail scurrying about and the early morning calls of field doves and whippoorwills make an early start to this daytrip most rewarding. Full moon nights bring out several species of the kings of the night skies, the owls. Canada Larga is even close enough to town to allow for a great bike trip as well. Just bike up Ventura Avenue until you reach the access road to Canada Larga.
Closer to town one can explore Grant Park above Ventura City Hall. The views from this hillside preserve are spectacular. If one tires of viewing the Santa Barbara channel, offshore islands, upper Ventura River watershed, western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains and downtown Ventura, there is much to explore in the grassy fields above the historic cross. After an early rain, new sprouts of wild mustard emerge. Their yellow flowers dominate open space lands in our area when in full bloom during the spring. I have spotted several small clumps of native violas (commonly called Johnny Jump-ups) in the past. Several species of native sages are growing in this area as well.
Continuing along Poli Street as it turns into Foothill Road, one passes an historic Tamarisk grove on the hillside property just north of Dorothy Avenue. Our journey along Foothill Road takes us to the "gem" of Ventura city parks, Arroyo Verde Park. With its open space hiking trails and ridgeline trail, this park also offers great views on a clear day.
The Arroyo Verde trails take us close to such wonderful native shrubs as the Toyon (aka Christmas Berry or California Holly), noted at this time of year for it brilliant red berries, wild sage species, small willow saplings, several plantings of blue flowered (in spring) Ceanothus (California lilac), silver leafed Artemisia (Common Wormwood or Mugwort) and the drought tolerant Rhus (Poison Oak and Sumac) shrub groves. This park is also a birdwatchers’ paradise. It is also not uncommon to see small mammals running across the trail ahead. The park is also home to one of Southern California’s rarest cat species, the mountain lion. Several are spotted at various times of the year.
Next time we will explore the upper reaches of Wheeler Canyon and on up to Sulphur Mountain (between Ventura and Santa Paula).
