2023
Year In Review
In 2023, the Ventura County Resource Conservation District experienced a year defined by significant growth and newfound opportunities. Reflecting on our achievements, we are keenly aware of the pivotal role played by community collaboration in our success. The work accomplished in our various projects wouldn’t have been possible without the support from our local residents, dedicated volunteers, and partner organizations. Their collective contributions have been instrumental in our successes.
VCRCD has continued to support conservation efforts throughout the Ventura County region. Collectively we manage over 15 grants, services, and programs that range from agriculture, habitat restoration, education, outreach, wildfire, and healthy watersheds.
These are our highlights from 2023.
Intern Program
We continued our internship program with Jacob Hahn who assisted with many projects. In reflecting on the past year Jacob shares, "Delving into environmental science as a high schooler provided me with invaluable experience. It taught me the tangibility that hard work can build over time through the beautiful gardens I’ve planted and helped grow at Oak Park High School and Arneil Park."
New Hires
In 2023 the VCRCD added 6 new members to our team.
Mason Thurmond - Resource Conservation Coordinator
Monica Matthews - Conservation Ecologist
Emily Nye - Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability Specialist
Johnagustin Zecua - Resource Conservation Technician
Lauren Zaragoza - Resource Conservation Technician
Emma Youngquist - Resource Conservation Technician
Agriculture
Healthy and sustainable agriculture programs continue to be a core principle for VCRCD. Our efforts this past year have reduced nitrogen run off into our local watersheds, reduced water consumption, sequestered carbon, increased wildlife and pollinator habitat, and promoted climate and financial resilience of our local farms. VCRCD’s ag team had an abundant 2023, we were awarded 8 new grants to support resource conservation on ag land, engaged with over 1,000 farmers and ranchers through events and talks, and added 3 new staff members to our ag team.
In 2023 we:
Secured Over $13 Million through 8 grants to support resource conservation projects on ag land.
Outreached to more than 1,000 individuals through more than 20 in-person outreach and education events.
Dispersed $222,500 of relief funding to 14 growers impacted by drought.
Conducted 20 irrigation evaluations to reduce water consumption and nitrogen leaching.
Habitat Restoration
Habitat restoration is a crucial component of healthy ecosystems. Our habitat restoration projects have helped restore oak woodlands and create critical environments for local pollinators. This work involves creating landscaping plans, coordinating planting events, caring for the plants and monitoring sites for their success.
In 2023 VCRCD initiated a planning effort for arundo removal in the Santa Clara River and started permitting efforts for the implementation of arundo removal.
Much of this work would not be possible without the support of our community who often help us install plants. VCRCD aims to serve as the educational hub for conservation and continues to provide the community with monarch and pollinator information whenever possible. Outreach events have covered a huge range from tabling at festivals and the County Fair to speaking in front of diverse groups from farmers, to schools, to libraries, to participating on panel discussions with other insect and restoration experts. VCRCD coordinates the MRAC (Monarch and Pollinator Regional Advisory Committee) by arranging speakers and holding meetings.
In 2023 VCRCD staff:
Planted over 1,000 plants at 7 different locations.
Worked with over 70 volunteers at planting events
Created a new holding facility to increase the number of plants we can offer at planting events.
Launched the Monarch and Pollinator Alerts Newsletter
Youth Education
VCRCD continued to foster future generations of environmental conservationists through our youth education programs. Our staff led classroom lessons on coastal ecology, wildfire preparedness, local ecology, and California pollinators. In additional to hosting several youth field trips in Ventura County we also earned certification in the California State Parks Outdoor Recreation Leadership program. We are excited to announce a new partnership with the Center for Land Based Learning through their “SLEWS” program and look forward to expanding our education programs in 2024 and beyond.
In 2023 VCRCD education staff:
Presented to 22 classes, talking to over 660 students
Lead 2 outdoor excursions for over 60 students.
Finished construction of an outdoor classroom
Wildfire
125 Wildfire Town Hall Attendees
48 Acres Treated
275 Wildfire Conference Attendees
Our wildfire programs focus on preparing our environment and communities for wildfire. This work include extensive education, outreach, planning, and fuel reduction.
VCRCD staff continued to offer wildfire home assessments to help residents reduce the risk of wildfire.
Staff organized 3 wildfire focused town halls throughout Ventura County reaching over 125 individuals.
Our wildfire webinars and newsletters reached approximately 500 individuals and spread information on fuel reduction, wildfire insurance, and home hardening.
2 Climate Fellows spent their summer helping us achieve our goals our education and outreach goals.
In additional to our wildfire education programs, the VCRCD oversaw the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative which includes county-wide wildfire planning with many wildfire professionals in the region.
Through our collaborative partnership with the Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative the VCRCD hosted the California Wildfire Conference at the Ronald Reagan Library. This inaugural conference brought together 275 wildfire professionals.
The Ventura County Prescribed Burn Association assisted 3 landowners with fuel reduction efforts on over 48 acres of land. We thank our many partners who have helped make this happen. These collaborations have enormous value, the the land and our community.
Outreach
Outreach continues to be a priority for many of our programs, allowing us to inform residents of new programs and expand the reach of our conservation projects. Whether we are helping residents create pollinator habitat, learn about protecting their home from wildfires, or learn how to get involved in local conservation efforts we value our community relationships.
This year we reached over 2,000 individuals through various public speaking engagements and events.
Our Ventura County Wildfire Collaborative booth received the First Place Ribbon in the Wildfire Category at the Ventura County Fair, and the Ventura County Resource Conservation District booth received the Second Place Ribbon in the Government Category.
Our newsletters, social media campaigns, and other digital outreach tools led to over 2,500 engagements.
4,000 Individuals Reached
Watershed Coordination
VCRCD has been the host for the Ventura River Watershed Coordination position for over 3 years. Through this role we have held bimonthly public meetings that educate stakeholders on local projects and issues of concern to the watershed.
This year we began offering in-person meetings again, and hosted our first field trip to the Matilija Dam. VCRCD also began attending outreach events to help spread awareness of the Ventura River Watershed Council. We look forward to increasing opportunities for collaboration and education.
In 2023 the VCRCD was awarded the host position for the Santa Clara River Watershed Committee. This is a reflection of stakeholder confidence in VCRCD’s ability to coordinate quality education and outreach.
We will continue coordinating bi-monthly public meetings for the Santa Clara River Watershed Committee and look forward to fostering future education and collaborative projects.
We thank our partners and community for continuing to support our efforts and look forward to continuing to expand and strengthen our conservation efforts in the year 2024.
For questions about any of our programs please contact info@vcrd.org