OPEN SPACES
The latest news from the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy Vol. 8 No. 2
Working to Protect The Ojai Valley’s Future - Today
Summer 2001
Wild About Ojai
Families Exploring The Natural World Together
O
ur popular environmental enriching, family experience. education series, Wild We have also made the series About Ojai, returned on April more comprehensive so partici7 and will offer its next program on pants can come away with a deepSaturday, May 5. This year we’ve er understanding and appreciation made the series of the Ojai Valley’s more convenient natural world and for busy families the importance of by meeting on our last remaining Saturday morning open spaces. from 9:00 am to This year Wild noon. About Ojai will Wild About Ojai be divided into is a family-friendly, Spring, Summer all outdoor, enviand Fall programs. ronmental educaEach program will tion series. It consist of three inspires kids and sessions. Session adults to learn one will look at basic natural histoorganisms, session ry and environtwo communities mental concepts. and session three Pete Johnson, the the ecosystem. Enjoying the Ojai Conservancy’s The Spring proMeadow Preserve education coordigram will take nator will use hands-on exploration place at the Ojai Meadows and participants’ reflection through Preserve, the Summer session at story telling, art, poetry and Matillija Creek and the Fall pronature journaling to make this an gram at the Ilvento Preserve.
The cost of the series is $8 per session or $18 per three-session program for individuals and $12 per session or $30 per three-session program for families. Each program will occur on the first Saturday of every month, except for September 8 and December 8. Wild About Ojai will be even more fun this year with the introduction of Quilly Quail and his open space crew, Terra Ant, Holly Mouse, Castor Lizard and Professor Salt n Puff, a snail. Also, all participants will receive a special kit, which not only contains everything participants need for each program, but will be something they can continue to use in studying natural areas on their own. Space for Wild About Ojai is limited to twenty participants per session and advance registration and payment is required. For additional information or to register, contact the Events Hotline at 646-0251 or visit our events calendar and education web page at www.ovlc.org.
Newest Park Campaign Resonates With Community The fundraising campaign to create Ojai’s Newest Park has now raised $230,000 towards the $610,000 goal to build and care for the Park. “The donors for this campaign are a cross-section of the community,” remarks Jim Engel, the Conservancy’s Executive Director. “We have old-timers and new-comers. People who love the idea of bringing a slice of the local mountains into downtown and those who want a place for tasteful art.” During the coming months, the Conservancy’s volunteer fundraising team will be approaching several key individuals to discuss opportunities to support this community effort and honor or memorialize someone who is important in their lives. Naming rights vary from $150,000 for the mountain stream to $500 for the Park plaque. There are also many special opportunities to name a trail, plaza or tree. If you have an interest in learning more about how to help us realize the dream of turning a blighted site into a place of community beauty and pride, please call our office at 646-7930. See page 3 for more details on the naming rights that are still available.