VCHP.org

Jason Irwin with Horny Toad, carries a pile of arundo to the green waste at the Ventura River bottom cleanup.  A group of Ventura businesses came together for the Ventura Backyard Collective to clean up the river bottom.  Local volunteers from businesses like REI, Patagonia and Deckers worked together to remove trash & arundo from the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy’s Willoughby Preserve.

V.C. Star reports on city officials meeting with Mint Lane neighbors at City Hall.

The V.C. Star article reports on concerned neighbors speaking at March 4, 2013 City Council meeting.

The V.C. Star reports on investigation into grading of the hillside above Mint Lane.

Honoring Martha Zeiher

Whereas, in the summer of 2000 the City of Ventura was developing a Vision Plan to generate public support for annexation and “limited development” in the Ventura hillside area; and

Whereas, Martha Zeiher was instrumental in organizing the first group of volunteers to gather signatures that led to the Ventura City Council putting Measure P on the November 6, 2001 ballot, which required for the next 30 years a vote of the public to extend city services for hillside development; and

Whereas, Martha helped lead the successful campaign against Measure A on the November 6, 2001 ballot, which would have authorized 1390 homes in the Ventura hillsides; and

Whereas, Martha went on to co-found Ventura’s first and only land conservation organization, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, which owns and manages over 50 acres in the hills and along the Ventura River and continues to work with landowners toward the goal of open space preservation; and

Whereas, Martha’s skills as an inspired community activist with tireless energy and compassion,  persuasive leadership, impeccable organization, and a keen sense of humor has shaped the City of Ventura today and far into the future; and

Whereas, We the citizens of Ventura owe Martha Zeiher and her supportive family an eternal debt of gratitude and wish them much success as they embark upon a new and exciting chapter in their lives.

Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that I Steve Bennett, a member of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors take great pleasure in honoring Martha Zeiher and her family for their tireless Community Activism.

Presented This 12^th Day of January 2013

Where would we be without EDC?

For 35 years, EDC, a non-profit, public interest law firm, has provided expertise necessary to advance the cause of Ventura County’s advocacy groups to safeguard our region’s threatened environment and wildlife.

In 2012 EDC attorneys and biologists helped to:

o     Protect precious open space at Oxnard’s Ormond Beach;

o     Reduce Ventura River pollution and begin establishing a Ventura River Parkway;

o     Restore sea otter populations and protect whales migrating off our coast.

EDC Supports Us – Please Support Them

Learn more and contribute online:  www.EnvironmentalDefenseCenter.org – click “Donate.”

VCHP at the July 4, 2012 Downtown Ventura Street Fair

Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation returned to its usual spot in front of Foster Library for this year’s July 4th street fair to promote awareness of the Ventura River Parkway Plan and conservation of open space around the City of Ventura.

The street fair was attended by a seemingly record number of people who were interested in learning more about the VCHP mission and concerned that Ventura retain the best of what we have to offer and reclaim parts of our community that we have ignored for years.

The Ventura River Parkway Plan and conservation message fell on many receptive ears,  proving that even in difficult economic times people remain concerned about how we treat our environment.  Many people expressed support for reclaiming our river through implementation of the Parkway Plan.  Some people wanted to know how they could volunteer to help and were directed to the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy booth to sign up for the Conservancy’s volunteer days.

2012 will be a July 4th street fair to remember for all who attended!

Last summer Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation joined the Friends of the Ventura River in its campaign for the creation of a Ventura River Parkway.  As many of you know, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy has made great strides in the Upper stretch of the river.  Friends of the Ventura River, a coalition of nonprofits, land conservancies, community, business, environmental and governmental organizations, is focused on extending these successes all the way to the River Mouth at the Ventura River Estuary.

In celebration of the project and our accomplishments to date, we are sponsoring a community picnic north of Main Street on the river levee to raise awareness of this project within the community.

Please join us this coming Saturday, June 9th, for a free healthy sack lunch and information about how community organizations are supporting the Ventura River Parkway project.

Please see the Friends of the Ventura River website: www.friendsofventurariver.org

Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation has joined a coalition of committed organizations to promote plans for a parkway along the lower reaches of the Ventura River.

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy has already made great strides toward opening the upper stretches of the river to public recreation.  Friends of the Ventura River hopes to be equally successful in opening up the lower river for public enjoyment.

Years ago the Ventura River was a centerpiece of the community.  Over the last 50 years decisions have been made, including the construction of Highway 33, which have cut the community off from the river, denying the public access to recreation on and around the river that was enjoyed by past generations.

Friends of the Ventura River will be working to restore public access to the river for hiking, biking, and picnicking,  among other pursuits.

The Westside Community Plan includes the goal of improving recreational access to the river and the beach for all Venturans.  Together we can make our river the centerpiece of our community once again.

We are also compiling stories from people who lived along the river in the past.  If you (or a family member) have fond memories of growing up near the river and enjoying outdoor experiences at the river, we’d like to hear your story and be able to share it with others.  Please share a blog entry here or at www.friendsofventurariver.org or email us at info@vchp.org.

Ventura City Council Approves Westside Plan without Annexation at the April 19, 2011 Meeting

Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation wishes to thank you for your support during our year-long campaign to prevent the annexation of Cañada Larga Valley to the City of Ventura.

By a vote of 6 to 0, on April 19, the City Council voted to move ahead with the Westside Community Plan within the city’s boundaries.  Cañada Larga and North Avenue will not be annexed.

At the meeting, Diane Underhill, president of Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation, and leader of a coalition of eight organizations, presented an informative power point presentation which we hope to soon have available on our website (www.vchp.org).  The Coalition includes the Sierra Club, SOAR, Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper, Wishtoyo Foundation, VCCool, and the Ventura Audubon Society, EDC and represents hundreds of members.

Residents and members of our coalition filled the Chamber.  More than 30 Ventura residents and members of our Coalition provided over 90 minutes of testimony addressing the negative repercussions of the annexation plan.  Many people submitted comment cards or sent email comments to Council prior to the meeting.

This was a true example of Democracy in Action.  Venturans from all parts of the City worked together for a year to achieve this result.  Thanks to all those who sent emails, attended meetings, contributed financially, and followed our progress throughout the year.

A very special thanks is due to the Environmental Defense Center which we were able to retain due to your contributions and the many pro bono hours they gave to our cause.   Its letter to the City Planning Department provided expertise we volunteers were lacking.

We appreciate your support and promise to keep you informed on future changes which surface in regard to Cañada Larga Valley, the Hillsides of Ventura, City Council elections in November, and the important discussion of the proposed Ventura River Parkway Plan to restore the Ventura River and make it accessible to all residents.   Stay tuned for more to come.

Please share our message with your environmentally concerned friends who would wish to hear from us.  They can join our email list.  Word-of-mouth is the most effective way for us to increase our supporter list.  VCHP does not have membership dues.  Your friends would simply receive occasional email alerts when local environmental preservation is threatened.  Thank you again for your support.

Sincerely,
Diane Underhill, President
Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation