Mission Statement
To foster the preservation of open space lands that affect the quality of life in the Ojai Valley through the acquisition of those lands or by preventing their development by obtaining conservation easements. To acquire undeveloped properties of special natural beauty within the Ojai Valley in order to preserve them.
To encourage the preservation of the open space for agricultural and other open space lands by assisting property owners with implementing long term planning and conservation strategies.
To encourage and promote the donation of gifts of private property to the Conservancy for the benefit of the general public.
To inform and educate the public concerning the environmental features of the Ojai Valley and the hazards of continuing development in order to promote wide public interest and financial support for saving open spaces in the valley.
Description
The Conservancy is a community-based, nonprofit group of more than 1,200 private citizens and landowners working for the common goal of protecting and restoring open space in the Ojai Valley for your benefit and the benefit of future generations.
As a nonprofit, tax exempt corporation, we acquire, hold and manage land in the public interest. We also preserve open space by working with landowners to acquire conservation easements, which convey the development rights of a parcel of land to the Conservancy, while the title and daily management remains with the landowner. The Conservancy also works in partnership with local governments, provides education programs, and pursues habitat restoration and enhancement projects.
Educational Programs
We provide a variety of educational programs to help local residents better understand the importance of open space, and the natural and agricultural heritage of the valley.
Habitat Restoration
We are restoring riparian stream channels, oak woodlands and other important wildlife habitats throughout the Ojai Valley. The Conservancy is actively restoring the wetlands at the 58-acre Ojai Meadows Preserve and developing a comprehensive management plan for the 1,591-acre Ventura River Preserve.
