Ventura, CA (January 4, 2012) -- The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy has hired Melina Sempill Watts as its executive director, filling a position that has been vacant for nearly a year. Watts took the helm of the non-profit land trust on December 5th. “The Board of Trustees was impressed with the Melina’s experience in resource conservation, community organizing, and fundraising” says Gary Bednorz, Conservancy president. “She brings a set of skills in key areas that will enable VHC to stabilize it operations and continue its growth. We are so fortunate to have attracted such a passionate professional at precisely a time that we are implementing stewardship plans for the growing amount of land that we have acquired - particularly in the Ventura River watershed.”

Watts spent seven years working at the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains as the Malibu Creek Watershed Coordinator, during which time she raised over ten million dollars for the California Department of Conservation, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains and for environmental programs and projects developed in partnership with the the Malibu Creek Watershed Council. Last year, she was promoted to Santa Monica Mountains Watersheds Coordinator, a position she continues to hold on a half time basis.

Prior to her career in conservation, Melina worked as a creative executive, writing consultant and script analyst at such companies as the Kennedy/Marshall Company, Pico Creek Productions, The Bedford Falls Company and DreamWorks. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in history. Watts has two sons and a daughter.

"I am thrilled to be the new Executive Director of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy,” says Watts, “and am looking forward to connecting with landowners and the community of Ventura in order to find the best ways to preserve the glorious open spaces that give Ventura its character and beauty. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is committed to the highest environmental, community and ethical standards. This is an exciting time -- within the last month alone we have been approached by four landowners with conservation opportunities. This is the year that we can help our community to make the magic happen. We take our responsibility to protect and provide access to open space in Ventura very seriously.”

Click here to read past news releases from the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy.


Stephen Svete
Email: press@venturahillsides.org