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Two Trees


Presidents Message
2018



First and foremost the VCHP Board wants to acknowledge the immense tragedy that started on Dec.4, 2017 when the Thomas Fire ravaged area hillsides, destroying lives and homes in Santa Paula, Ventura, Ojai and Montecito. After the fire came the rain and the mudflows. VCHP extends our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and communities hit by these tragedies.

Since VCHP was formed eighteen years ago we have advocated for the conservation and management of Ventura's hillsides, open space, and river watersheds. Our goal is to prevent unnecessary and damaging development of our hillsides, river floodplains, agricultural and natural open spaces. New development in these areas would have significant adverse impacts by creating more urban runoff in areas that in a more natural state are able to retain and percolate precipitation.

We must act to restore and manage native habitat and correct polluting activities that have been status quo for generations. We must act on land to conserve our watershed areas in order to protect our community, its water supply, and our world's oceans — it is all connected.
In the past VCHP has worked to protect the Ventura hillsides, the Canada Larga Valley and, as a member of the Friends of the Ventura River coalition, to promote the Ventura River Parkway vision. Our efforts and those of other non-profits brings to mind a favorite quote by US anthropologist, Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

To illustrate how far our collective ecological thinking has evolved in just a few decades consider that in 1971 the Ventura River was declared “dead” and moves were made to channelize it in concrete. Public outcry prevented this disastrous action. Flash forward to 2007 where our Ventura City Council unanimously supported the Ventura River Parkway concept. In 2012 the County Board of Supervisors endorsed the Parkway. On June 7, 2014 the Ventura River Parkway Trail was designated a National Recreation Trail. Now, it is left to us to continue to improve the Parkway, protecting this natural asset in perpetuity.

In 2016 VCHP joined forces with SOAR (Save Open-space & Agricultural Resources) to successfully extend SOAR voter open-space and agricultural land protections in the city and the county until 2050.

Now, in 2018, both the City and the County are moving forward with General Plan updates. The list of environmental issues we face in 2018 is daunting: Climate change, sea level rise, species extinctions, extreme weather events, air and water pollution. During the General Plan processes VCHP will continue to advocate for policies that protect our natural areas, reserving them for environmental productivity and recreational opportunities. We particularly want to ensure that short-term decisions will not render long-term environmental goals and visions unattainable.
The climate change clock is ticking we 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, clean water and natural resources we have today. Promoting and investing in conservation will help us meet this responsibility. VCHP joins other nonprofits, government officials and community members to act locally.

Will we rise to the challenge and institute the course corrections and protections necessary to preserve our hillsides, watershed, rivers, beaches, open space and wildlife habitats? VCHP believes we have the moral responsibility to do so.


Sincerely,
Diane Underhill, President
Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation



Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation
Ventura, CA 93003


(805) 665-3820

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