OPEN SPACES OJAI VALLEY LAND CONSERVANCY NEWS
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
volume 14 number 1 | spring 2007
A New Day on the Meadow Ojai Meadows Preserve Restoration Proceeds
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Exciting times are ahead as the Conservancy proceeds with plans to restore the historic wetlands that once existed on the Ojai Meadows Preserve (OMP). Already great egrets and a number of other bird species have returned to the property after long absences. Wetland-loving bird and plant species are expected to continue to return in greater numbers as the wetlands become re-established. Initial work is about to begin to fulfill the requirements of two state grants totaling nearly $1.7 million for restoring wetlands on the OMP and alleviating flooding on Maricopa Highway. The grants call for creation of a two-acre freshwater marsh to serve as a retention basin for storm water fed by a meandering stream lined with native trees, shrubs and understory plants. This will return the property to conditions similar to its original appearance and function prior to significant alteration in the 20th century. The first visible ground work associated with the re-creation of the wetlands will take place in the next several weeks. Step one is the removal of about 30 non-native eucalyptus trees along Maricopa Drain between Maricopa Highway and the Meadows’ main eucalyptus grove. The trees will be removed as part of a training program for the Wildland Fire Division of the Ventura County Fire Department. “When the surrounding area was developed, construction activities resulted in a great deal of erosion of soil into the Meadows, filling in the wetlands,” said Derek Poultney, Project Manager for the OVLC. “To restore these wetlands, this soil needs to be removed, and in order to excavate some of the eucalyptus trees have to come out. After the wetlands and the stream are re-created, the non-native trees will be replaced with the planting of hundreds of native sycamores, oaks, cottonwoods and willows, along with thousands of other native plants.” It is projected that these actions will go a long way to alleviate the irksome flooding on Maricopa Highway during heavy rains, as the water will once again have a wetlands in which to collect. Tree removal is timed to take place before the spring bird-
nesting season begins. As an additional precaution, a bird conservation expert will survey the trees for any unusually early active nests immediately before the work begins. Any necessary trail detours and work area closures will be clearly posted to ensure public safety. To learn more about this project, be sure to attend the informative program scheduled in April (see inset below). The project is funded with grants from the State Department of Water Resources and the State Water Board.
Meadow Restoration Program “A New Day On The Meadow” Friday, April 13, 2007 Please join us at the Oak Grove School High School Student Learning Center 220 W. Lomita Ave. in Meiners Oaks. Attendees will learn about the ambitious wetlands restoration efforts under way on the Ojai Meadows Preserve and ecological restoration activities on the Ventura River Preserve and the OVLC Confluence Preserve. Land Conservancy restoration experts Rich Handley, Derek Poultney and Stevie Adams, along with Oak Grove School Environmental and Outdoor Coordinator Sara Benjamin, will share the vision, methods and results of restoring natural communities to OVLC Preserves. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about upcoming activities and how they can become involved. Light refreshments will be served at 7:00 pm, with the one-hour program beginning at 7:30. Admission is FREE. Bring a friend!