Ventura Land Trust Awarded $7.2 Million for Ventura Hillsides Land Conservation

Photo: Ventura Land Trust

Ventura Land Trust has been awarded $7.2 million from the State of California to complete the acquisition and permanent conservation of the 1,645-acre Ventura hillsides property now known as Mariano Rancho Preserve.

Mariano Rancho Preserve provides a dramatic backdrop to historic downtown and midtown Ventura with the most high-profile hills in the region. The eastern edge of Mariano Rancho Preserve contains one of the famous “Two Trees.” The western corner of the property is adjacent to Ventura’s Grant Park, home to the Ventura Botanical Gardens.

With the acquisition of Mariano Rancho Preserve, Ventura Land Trust comes full circle to the reason the organization, originally Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, was established in 2003: to preserve and protect the hills that define Ventura’s landscape.

Ecological restoration of Mariano Rancho Preserve will support the recovery of the endangered coastal sage scrub plant community and safeguard a corridor of open space critical for wildlife movement and survival in the region. The scenic property is part of a county-designated wildlife corridor that connects the Ventura River watershed to the Santa Clara River watershed.

For Ventura Land Trust Executive Director Melissa Baffa, this funding is a game changer for land conservation in for Ventura Land Trust and for Ventura County.

"We are deeply honored by the State's support of our work to conserve open space in the Ventura hillsides,” says Baffa. “The preservation and restoration of this land will be a tremendous gift to the wildlife that depend on these habitats. It is thrilling to make this kind of multi-generational impact on a region, and Ventura Land Trust is grateful for the partnership of the State of California and our local legislators in these efforts."
California State Assemblymember Steve Bennett was the primary advocate for directing state funds to Ventura Land Trust for land acquisition, stewardship, and infrastructure for public preserve access.

“The State of California’s investment in the acquisition efforts of Ventura Land Trust will give residents enormous outside recreational value for many generations,” says Bennett. “I'm proud to partner with them and Senator [Monique] Limón in securing these funds.”

Bennett, a longtime champion for open space conservation in the region, co-authored the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) initiatives that slow urban sprawl by requiring a vote of the citizens before greenbelt areas outside of Ventura County cities can be rezoned for development. The first SOAR initiative was approved by voters in the City of Ventura in 1995.

Although county residents should celebrate the preservation of this open space, Baffa cautions that Mariano Rancho Preserve is not yet open to the public. “The southern property boundary is adjacent to residential neighborhoods with narrow streets. There is no public parking available for access to the preserve from those neighborhoods. Additional visitors and traffic could prevent residents and emergency vehicles from moving freely and safely through the streets.”

Ventura Land Trust will engage in a detailed two- to three-year planning process before opening Mariano Rancho Preserve to the public. The planning process will address the long-term conservation and stewardship of the land.

In the coming months, Ventura Land Trust will commission a conceptual trail plan for the property. The trail network will offer preserve access to hikers and cyclists, while minimizing the impact on plant and animal habitats. A trailhead parking enclosure will be constructed to accommodate visitors.

A series of community meetings will be scheduled for late summer and fall 2022. Each meeting will focus on an element of Ventura Land Trust’s planning for the preserve, with topics on public access, conservation and land restoration, and trails and recreation. The public is invited to attend. Meeting dates, times, and locations will be posted on Ventura Land Trust’s website.

Additionally, a portion of the State funding will support the capital campaign for Harmon Canyon Preserve. This campaign is expected to come to its conclusion by the end of the year. Donors who contribute a gift of $1,000 or more toward the Harmon Canyon Campaign by November 1, 2022 will be recognized on an onsite donor wall. The donor wall, to be installed near the preserve’s main trailhead, will be a metal art installation by Ventura artist Tyronne McGrath.

Despite the windfall of state funding, Ventura Land Trust is still in need of donations and community support for operations and stewardship of its conserved lands. Ventura Land Trust is a privately-funded nonprofit organization, not a government entity or part of a city or county parks department. Individual membership to Ventura Land Trust, which provides core support to help protect and preserve open space, advance habitat restoration efforts, and fund outdoor education programs, starts at $45 per year.

Board of Trustees President Mark Watkins feels that with nearly 4,000 acres of land in Ventura Land Trust’s care, gratitude to all stakeholders, including those whose vision for the protection of Ventura’s hillsides laid the groundwork for Mariano Rancho Preserve’s conservation nearly 20 years ago, is paramount.

“This funding will guarantee the ability of Ventura Land Trust to preserve open space for public access on literally thousands of acres,” says Watkins. “We are so thankful to the State of California, our local State representatives and the tremendous support from this community to make the dream of permanently protected open space come true.”

Information and updates on the conservation of Mariano Rancho Preserve can be found at www.venturalandtrust.org.

About Ventura Land Trust
The mission of Ventura Land Trust is to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, Ventura Land Trust believes that preserving open space and providing public access enhances the economy, quality of life, and public well-being of Ventura and surrounding communities. The organization currently owns and manages land along the Ventura River and in the Ventura hillsides, including the 2,100-acre Harmon Canyon Preserve and the 1,645-acre Mariano Rancho (not yet open to the public). Preserves are open to the public daily from dawn to dusk for free. Ventura Land Trust is an accredited member of the Land Trust Alliance.

Peter Strauss Ranch to Reopen to the Public on Monday, June 6, 2022

The grounds of Peter Strauss Ranch will reopen to the public on Monday, June 6 in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The public is invited to park on-site, picnic and hike through the beautiful oak woodlands. The site will be open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.

After suffering significant damage from the November 2018 Woolsey Fire, Peter Strauss Ranch remained closed for two essential activities. The National Park Service (NPS) completed multiple soil lifts to remove hazardous materials after the fire. The site served as a staging area for the County of Los Angeles to reconstruct the Mulholland Highway bridge over Triunfo Canyon Creek. With the completion of both projects this spring, the site is ready for public access.

Beyond Peter Strauss Ranch, the Woolsey Fire damaged 112 miles of trails and 88 percent of federal park land in the Santa Monica Mountains. Thirty structures and outbuildings were also destroyed. NPS staff worked hard in the weeks and months following the fire to reopen trails, clear roads, stabilize hillsides, repair culverts and conduct surveys.

Named for Emmy Award-winning actor Peter Strauss, the last owner of the property, the ranch was originally purchased in 1923 by Harry Miller. The historic ranch house, built in 1926 and completed a year later, was destroyed during the Woolsey Fire. Visitors can still discover an Italian terrazzo tile concert area where country legends Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson performed in the 1950s. There is also the relic of an enormous outdoor swimming pool from the property’s Lake Enchanto period, which lasted between 1939 to 1965.

Peter Strauss Ranch is located at 30000 Mulholland Hwy, Agoura Hills.

For more information about the long-term plans for the recovery of Peter Strauss Ranch, read the draft Environmental Assessment (EA).

National Park Service Urges Pet Owners to Rethink Hiking with Animals in the Summer Heat

The National Park Service (NPS) is urging pet owners to think twice before hiking with animals after at least three dogs have died on local trails since July of this year.The National Park Service (NPS) is urging pet owners to think twice before hiking with animals after at least three dogs have died on local trails since July of this year.

“Keeping canine companions safe during a hike requires planning and a heavy dose of realism,” said Ken Low, a National Park Service ranger at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. “Hikers need to ask themselves, is my dog’s physical conditioning and age appropriate for this outing? If I decide to take them, am I leaving early enough and do I have enough water?"

The National Park Service and local search and rescue teams in Los Angeles and Ventura County together have reported about a half dozen canine rescues in 2021. Most of the dogs were suffering from a heat illness. Some did not have enough water.

"Wait for cooler weather before heading out on a hike with your four-legged friends," Low said. “We helped rescue two dogs from the Sandstone Peak area in the western part of our mountains on a recent weekend and it was over 90 degrees. People don’t realize that dogs can succumb to heatstroke in just 15 minutes.”

Hikers can check with their veterinarian to learn what their dog can handle. Some dog breeds make better hiking partners than others. The dog should also be evaluated to see if they are fit enough for the hike.

Young and old dogs might not be capable of keeping up on long, challenging hikes, and the burden on growing bones may be too much for puppies. Hiking in overly hot weather should be avoided, as dogs are more susceptible than humans to the dangers of excessive heat.

It's also essential that you take water for your dog. Dogs don't sweat the way humans do. Panting is their primary method for keeping cool, putting them at a higher risk of overheating than you when on the trail.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park Service, it comprises a seamless network of local, state, and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit nps.gov/samo.

Trails in the Conejo Open Space to Reopen on Weekends Beginning May 9th

Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks

Today, the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) announced that trails are now open on weekends. Trailhead parking lots, except for the lot in Hill Canyon, remain temporarily closed.

The change in policy is being implemented based on the reopening of other outdoor areas in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. Starting May 9th, some, but not all, trails will be open in Los Angeles County, making more trails available regionally. Additional Ventura County trails are also expected to open. Making more outdoor space available meets community needs related to physical and mental health and provides additional outdoor space where residents can enjoy nature while maintaining required social distance.

COSCA reminds visitors that the coronavirus will remain in our community for an extended time, and this is not the end of social distancing and County health orders. Visitors must take responsibility for their personal and community safety when out in public. Compliance with the Ventura County Stay Well at Home Order, as well as posted COSCA directives and recommendations, are essential to this effort.

Physical distancing practices should continue (at least 6 feet). Do not gather in groups. Stick with members of your household. Do not congregate.

More information at conejo-openspace.org.

All California State Parks in Los Angeles County Closed Effective March 31st

Effective March 31, 2020, all California State Park Trails in LA County are currently closed at this time. In support of the state's efforts, California State Parks has taken various safety measures to avoid dangerous visitation surges and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as closing vehicle access at ALL 280 state parks, and fully closing others.

A list of closures can be found at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30355. State Park Peace Officers, in cooperation with allied law enforcement entities, will continue patrolling all state park units and enforcing all regulations.

trails.lacounty.gov/Alert/4161/ca-state-park-trails-in-la-county-closed

National Park Service to Close Trails in Ventura County on Weekends

The National Park Service in the Santa Monica Mountains is Modifying

Operations to Implement Local Health Guidance

Trails in Ventura County Will Be Closed on Weekends

The National Park Service in the Santa Monica Mountains, in response to guidance from the State of California and Ventura County, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The NPS is offering very limited services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. The following services and operations will be modified to support health orders issued by the state and county:

Trails, trailheads, restrooms, pullouts and overlooks in Ventura County will be closed from 2 p.m. on Fridays until 6 a.m. on Mondays until further notice beginning April 3. This includes:

• Rancho Sierra Vista, including the Wendy Trailhead.

• All trails within Circle X, including Sandstone Peak, Mishe Mokwa, the Grotto trail, the Backbone Trail and all connecting trails and overlooks along Yerba Buena Road.

• Cheeseboro Canyon trailhead.

• Deer Creek, including all lands, pullouts and overlooks.

All hiking, biking and equestrian trails in Ventura County will remain accessible from 6 a.m. Monday until 2 p.m. on Fridays. All visitors are required to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others.

Please stay tuned as conditions and health guidance could change. The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at the NPS is our number one priority. The NPS is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the park resumes full operations, the public will be notified via the website www.nps.gov/samo and our social media channels (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook). For updates regarding general NPS operations, visit www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

If contemplating a visit to a national park during this pandemic, the NPS asks visitors to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safer and healthier.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park Service, it comprises a seamless network of local, state, and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit nps.gov/samo.

National Park Service Closes All Trails in Los Angeles County Until Further Notice

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is Modifying

Operations to Implement Local Health Guidance

All Trails in Los Angeles County Closed

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), in response to guidance from the State of California and Los Angeles County, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

As of March 28, 2020, SMMNRA will offer very limited services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. At SMMNRA, the following services and operations will be modified to support health orders issued by the state and county:

All trails and restrooms in Los Angeles County are now closed.

We ask that the public please observe all posted signs.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at SMMNRA is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the park resumes full operations, the public will be notified via the website www.nps.gov/samo and our social media channels (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook). For updates regarding general NPS operations, visit www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

Park rangers at SMMNRA are available to answer questions at 805-370-2301 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

If contemplating a visit to a national park during this pandemic, the NPS asks visitors to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safer and healthier.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park Service, it comprises a seamless network of local, state, and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit nps.gov/samo.

County of Los Angeles Issues Temporary Closure of Public Trails, Beaches and Piers Effective March 27th

The County of Los Angeles issued a Health Officer Order on March 27th that temporarily closes all public beaches, public trails and trailheads, piers, beach bike paths and beach access points in the county.

The order follows an unusually high volume of beach and trail users last weekend, seriously impeding the practice of safe and necessary social distancing measures to stem the local transmission of COVID-19.

The order is effective immediately and continues through April 19, 2020. EXTENDED TO MAY 15, 2020 ON APRIL 10TH. SEE www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/FAQ-SaferatHomeOrder.pdf.

Violation of or failure to comply with the order is a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.

The order indicates residents may continue to use currently open and publicly available park space, not prohibited by the order, for passive recreational activities, while practicing social distancing.