Land Trust Says Come on Out and Enjoy...

Spring is a great time to get outdoors with the family and enjoy Ventura’s natural beauty. The urban Ventura Land Trust (VLT), founded in 2003, is a nationally accredited nonprofit whose mission is to help the community do just that by preserving and permanently protecting land, water and wildlife in the Ventura region.

“We work to balance the protection of the natural environment with a growing and thriving community,” says VLT’s Development Director Leslie Velez.

Much of the land now protected has previously been used for ranching, livestock grazing and agriculture after being claimed as part of Mission San Buenaventura. During the past decade, it has returned to its natural state with the help of Ventura Land Trust staff, who have also designed a trail system that will allow for visitors hiking and cycling while protecting sensitive habitats.

Sustainability is a core component of the work of VLT. Care and management of the land and watersheds is informed by the traditions of the Chumash, the original inhabitants.

“In restoring land and preparing it for public use, we use a restoration ecology approach that takes into account historical records, human and animal use, our knowledge of native and invasive plant species and climate science to plan for long-term resilience,” says Velez.

In June 2020, VLT opened Harmon Canyon Preserve—2,123 acres of Ventura hillsides for habitat restoration and free public recreation. Ventura’s first large-scale preserve includes eight miles of trails with plans to expand to at least 20 miles over the next several years. The trails include spectacular views of Southern California mountain ranges, coastline and Channel Islands National Park.

The pandemic has certainly helped to make evident the importance of getting into motion and connecting with nature. “Fresh air, exercise and breaks from screen time bring balance, calm and rejuvenation during these anxious times,” says Executive Director Derek Poultney. “As if their lives depend on it, people are flocking to nature in record numbers.”

While the trust is pleased to offer these preserves as protected natural space for residents and visitors, they do advocate that visitors “leave no trace.”

“Use only trails and durable surfaces to travel, take out what you bring in, leave areas as you found them, and respect wildlife and other visitors,” says Velez. “And please, ‘go’ before you go.” Just two months after opening Harmon Canyon Preserve around 3,000 people had visited, and estimates are for more than 50,000 visitors for 2021.

For more information and where to find the trails please visit VenturaLandTrust.org.