Ventura Hillsides Conservancy : 2004 Wild Flower Walkabout Event

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Formation Announced
Friday, April 25, 2003, 11:00 AM
Arroyo Verde Park, Ventura

Ventura Hillsides Music Festival.
Photo: Amanda Peacock

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) public benefit land trust, publicly announced its formation and intent to acquire hillside and open space property surrounding Ventura. Current Ventura City Councilman Bill Fulton, one of the Conservancy's founding board members, introduced the event. Speakers included Brooke Ashworth, Conservancy President, Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett, Current Ventura Mayor Brian Brennan and Jeremy Tiddle, a staff representative from the office of Congresswoman Lois Capps. The announcement of the Conservancy's formation was held in Arroyo Verde Park, a cherished Ventura open space located in a hillside canyon and surrounded by undeveloped hillside property.

VHC Announcement

"Venturans have demonstrated at the ballot box that we want our hillsides preserved as a legacy for future generations and for the benefit of our quality of life,." said Brooke Ashworth, the Conservancy President. "The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy provides a vehicle to implement this goal in a way that deals with the property owners fairly and equitably."

According to the group's mission statement, it is dedicated to "permanent preservation of the hillsides, canyons, and open space that contribute to the natural environment and unique character of the City of San Buenaventura and the surrounding region." Such lands extend from Ventura's western gateway at the Ventura River to the eastern farmlands, according to Ms. Ashworth.

"There are a number of strategies that we will pursue that will require participation from citizens, businesses, and government agencies" says Bill Fulton, current Ventura Councilmember and Ventura Hillsides Conservancy founding board member. "We are in an era where land trusts are experiencing major successes in backdrop of limited public funding options. We plan to capitalize on that trend."

Photos are by Debra Myrent.