Donate to VCRCD

Help Protect Ventura County's Natural Resources for Future Generations

The Ventura County Resource Conservation District is dedicated to protecting and stewarding the land resilience, water resources, and native biodiversity for future generations. Our work relies on collaborating with our conservation partners and bringing an array of voices to the table, creating lasting impact through community partnerships and shared conservation goals.

In 2025, we made remarkable progress. Our team enhanced pollinator conservation efforts for monarch butterflies, expanded wildfire resilience programs through prescribed burns and community outreach, and supported sustainable agriculture with free soil monitoring and Carbon Farm Plans. Working alongside over 900 volunteers and reaching more than 1,400 community members, we’re building a conservation movement that extends far beyond our organization.

This vital work cannot be done without community support. With your partnership, we can maximize our conservation efforts and continue protecting the natural resources that sustain us all.

Donations go through Fund for Resource Conservation, a 501C(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Taxpayer ID # 27-1742693.

Gifts can be made online or via check to “Fund for Resource Conservation” and mail to: PO Box 147, Somis, CA 93066.

ABOUT PAYMENT PLATFORM: Donations are being collected through Zeffy whose payments are securely processed via Stripe. Zeffy provides technology services to nonprofits 100% free of charge. Please note that when you make a donation, you will be asked if you’d like to donate a percentage to Zeffy to help keep their services free. You may select a percentage or put in a custom amount.

Your Donation Fuels Change

By donating to the VCRCD, you are directly contributing to the conservation, sustainability, and restoration of Ventura County’s natural resources for current and future generations.

Habitat Restoration

Improving habitats through invasive species removal and planting native species for our pollinators and local wildlife

Fire Ecology

Conducting wildfire planning, pile burns, and recovery efforts to prepare to teach our community fire-safe practices to increase community fire safety and ecosystem resilience

Agriculture

Supporting the implementation of sustainable practices to create a more resilient agricultural community

Water

Facilitating action across diverse partners to enhance water quality and habitats in Ventura County’s Watersheds

Outreach & Education

Engaging with community through youth education and volunteer events to foster a network of environmental stewards

VCRCD Merch: Designed by Our Staff, Worn by Our Community

VCRCD now sells merch! Your purchase will go towards our mission of protecting and stewarding the land resilience, water resources, and native biodiversity for current and future generations.

Hear what our community has to say!

The mountain fire of November 6, 2024, severely impacted my farming operation—my orchard was completely devastated. Thanks to VCRCD's grant, I was able to begin restoring my orchard and rebuilding what was lost. This support has meant more than just financial help—it’s been a source of hope and encouragement during a very tough time. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who made this assistance possible. Your help has made a real difference.

I first became interested in conservation and restoration work simply by looking for a meaningful activity we could share, something hands-on, outdoors, and rooted in giving back to our community. Volunteering with VCRCD checked every box. What began as a way to spend quality time together [with my stepson] quickly grew into a deeper appreciation for local ecosystems and the small but meaningful role we can play in protecting them. We’re grateful for the opportunities VCRCD creates and excited to continue working with the organization for years to come. The work VCRCD is doing is truly amazing and inspiring!

Our family has been farming in Ventura County for over 112 years, since the first-generation grandparents bought the property and started farming this land. We currently raise mostly avocados and citrus. As the world around us is changing, we're trying to work more with the landscape instead of against it, and VCRCD has been instrumental in helping us gain tools to become drastically more sustainable - both environmentally and financially! They've helped us obtain grants for water & electricity saving equipment, for increasing our beneficial wild habitat, which has helped us with not having to spray pesticides, and they have been a huge help to us as we transition to organic practices, and get our organic certification! All along the way, their staff members have been encouraging and helpful - and very much appreciated! We would not have been able to do a fraction of what we've done without their support.

I‘ve been joining monarch restorations with VCRCD for about 4 years and was overjoyed that their events attracted so many people of all ages, who are as concerned about monarch survival and habitat loss as I am. It’s fun being outdoors, talking with other like-minded people I meet at VCRCD restorations, especially the hard-working biologists who plan the restoration events. VCRCD collaborates with many different groups doing conservation work throughout Ventura County. As a retired biologist, it’s satisfying to give back and continue to support the environment, other biologists and this threatened species of butterfly.

Ready to make an impact?

Share our impact

Can’t donate right now? You can still help! Share this link with friends and family on social media (vcrcd.org/donate/) and follow our Instagram @VenturaCountyRCD . Every share helps us reach more potential supporters.

Making a gift is easy!

Your donation helps us protect Ventura County’s land, water, and natural resources for future generations. (Consider making it monthly for ongoing impact!) Gifts can be online or via check to “Fund for Resource Conservation” and mail to: PO Box 147, Somis, CA 93066.

Volunteer and stay up to date

See our calendar of events to find an opportunity to get your hands in the soil. You can also join our mailing lists to stay informed about local happenings and news on the topics you care about most.

Host a project

Are you or a landowner you know interested in hosting a pollinator habitat ([email protected]) or prescribed burn ([email protected])? Reach out to learn more about how you can get involved.

FAQs

How will funds be used?

Donations support hands-on conservation education across our five program areas: Agriculture, Wildfire, Habitat Restoration, Education, and Water. Specifically, funds cover workshop materials, expert trainers, field day equipment, volunteer training supplies, and program accessibility (keeping events free or low-cost for participants).

What is the donation platform?

Donations are collected through Zeffy whose payments are securely processed via Stripe. Zeffy provides technology services to nonprofits 100% free of charge.

Please note that when you make a donation, you will be asked if you’d like to donate a percentage to Zeffy to help keep their services free. You may select a percentage or put in a custom amount.

Who benefits from RCD programs?

Everyone in Ventura County! Our programs serve farmers and ranchers, landowners, students and teachers, families, volunteers, and anyone interested in conservation. We have conservation and habitat restoration sites on public land that you can check out, like the native garden at the Camino Real Park! Most of our workshops and events are free or low-cost.

What if I can't donate right now?

You can still help by sharing this campaign using our outreach toolkit to spread the word to your friends and family. Simply spreading the word so more folks can tap into our free resources – that’s valuable too!

How do I donate?

You can donate online at this link or via check. Make checks payable to Fund for Resource Conservation” and mail to: PO Box 147, Somis, CA 93066.

Can I donate by check?

Yes! Make checks payable to “Fund for Resource Conservation” and mail to: PO Box 147, Somis, CA 93066. Please note “Giving Tuesday” in the memo line.

Are donations tax deductible?

Yes! Fund for Resource Conservation is a 501C(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Taxpayer ID # 27-1742693.

What is the Fund for Resource Conservation (FRC)?

The Fund for Resource Conservation (FRC) was founded with the goals to:

Procure funding for Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) in California.
Procure funding for natural resource conservation organizations in California.
Procure funding for other select non-profit entities as determined by the Board of Directors.
Partner with local, state, and federal government entities for resource conservation, environmental protection, habitat restoration, sustainable agriculture, and other natural resource concerns.
Act as a fiscal agent for RCDs to obtain funding for private foundations, business entities.
Conduct charitable activities that enhance community health, the environment, and local natural resource concerns.

The Fund for Resource Conservation (FRC) is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Are VCRCD programs really free?

Yes! We work hard to keep programs accessible by seeking grants and donations. Giving Tuesday donations directly support this accessibility – ensuring cost is never a barrier to conservation education.

Does the RCD work on private property?

Yes! We provide technical assistance and education to private landowners for conservation projects. Many of our programs teach landowners how to implement practices on their own properties.