It hardly seems possible that more than ten years has passed since Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation (VCHP) was formed. We are proud of the successes we have had over the years in advocating for the conservation of Ventura hillsides, open space, and the Ventura River watershed.
To understand our devotion to conservation causes, one has only to read the news. A recent report to the United Nations (6-21-11) noted the health of the world's ocean's are declining more rapidly than originally thought. The scientists state contributing factors include chemical pollution from urban run-off, increased carbon dioxide acidity, habitat destruction, melting sea ice and over-fishing. Shockingly the report states:
"We now face losing marine species and entire marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, within a single generation."
The report's scientists were clear-- the oceans cannot bounce back from the pollution from human activities without immediate and decisive changes. We must act now to correct polluting activities and habitat destruction that have been status quo for generations. We must act on land to conserve and restore our watershed areas in order to protect our world's oceans— it is all connected.
We Americans all have a shared responsibility to protect our natural world and make smarter choices in order that we might pass on to future generations the beauty, wildlife, water and natural resources we have today. Especially with the threat of climate change, we should invest in conservation to meet this responsibility.
VCHP recently successfully organized an environmental-group coalition* to prevent the North Avenue Area and the Canada Larga Valley from being annexed to the City for more intensive urban development. The proposed development in these watershed and floodplain areas would have had significant adverse impacts on the Ventura River, its estuary, and the ocean. Rather than continuing to fight inappropriate development proposals, the coalition chose to stay together to help promote a solution--the Ventura River Parkway.
The California River Parkway Act of 2004 (and related legislation) provides for the establishment of river parkways on lands along rivers and streams. The purposes of river parkways include:
- protection of clean water supplies;
- protection, improvement and restoration of riverine/ riparian open space and wildlife habitat;
- the provision of opportunities for public for recreation (hike, bike, canoe, picnic, bird watch, or simple enjoy nature); as well as
- conservation and restoration of river and stream floodplains converting riverfront land uses into uses consistent with river parkways and natural river functions.
We need to protect our beaches, rivers, watersheds and wildlife habitat for future generations. Unless we act now to protect these areas now, many of our beautiful natural areas will disappear before our children and grandchildren have a chance to enjoy them.
To illustrate how far our ecological thinking has evolved in just a few decades: in 1971 the Ventura River was declared “dead” and moves were made to channelize it in concrete-- public outcry prevented this. Flash forward to 2007 where our Ventura City Council unanimously supported the Ventura River Parkway concept. It is left to us, now, to make the River Parkway and reality and protect this natural asset in perpetuity.
What will our generation's legacy be? Can we rise to the challenge and institute the corrections and protections necessary? VCHP believe we have the moral responsibility to do so. Join us, help with the River Parkway project, and we can create a better future for all.
*The coalition groups now helping to promote the Ventura River Parkway include: Sierra Club, SOAR, Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Ventura Audubon Society, Ojai Valley Green Coalition, VCCool, Wishtoyo Foundation, The Environmental Defense Center, CAUSE, Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation; along with organizations that helped create the River Parkway Plan: Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Ventura County Watershed Council, California Coastal Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, and California State Parks. Additionally, local businesses like Patagonia and Bell Arts have been invaluable in their help and support of the River Parkway concept.
Sincerely,
Diane Underhill, President
Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation
