Ventura Hillsides Conservancy The Hillsides
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Photo: Rich Reid

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy plans to protect and restore the endangered species and wildlife and plant habitats on the land it purchases. It will ensure public access so all may enjoy the scenic trails with views of the Channel Islands, rural Ojai and the Topa Topas, the Oxnard Plains and the City of Ventura itself.

Maps
Map of VHC's Interest AreaVentura Hillsides Conservancy's Interest Area: The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy's Board of Trustees have adopted an Interest Area describing the local land envisioned as our open space system.

Ventura Hillsides Preserve Conceptual Recreation Plan: For many, the Ventura Hillsides Preserve Conceptual Recreation Plan is one of the more exciting pieces of open space planning created by the Conservancy. That's because it's a tangible vision of how hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners – even equestrians – will access and recreate in the Preserve area.


PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
Most of the Ventura Hillsides are in private land holdings and public access is not allowed. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy does not condone trespassing on private property. At present, however, there are opportunities to visit and recreate in the hills at two scenic City of Ventura parks: Grant Park on Ferro Drive (overlooking City Hall) and Arroyo Verde Park at Foothill and Day Roads.

See trail map of Arroyo Verde Park on City of Ventura website>



AERIAL PHOTOS
Arroyo Verde Park. Photo: Rich Reid
Aerial Photos
The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy contracted for these aerial photographs of our Area of Interest in Spring 2003. See photos >

HABITAT VALUE
Most of the Ventura Hillsides possess thousands of acres of a plant community known as Venturan coastal sage scrub. Other plant communities found in the Conservancy's Area of Interest are chaparral, riparian willow forest, and oak woodland.

This rich palette of hills scented with sage and cut with verdant canyons offers a rich potential nearby backcountry for passive recreation and relief from urban landscapes. More information about the native flora and fauna that inhabit the hillsides is coming soon.




 

Photo: Rich Reid