Ojai Valley Green Coalition

In December 2017, the largest wildfire in the recorded history of California burned through northwestern Ventura County, completely surrounding the city of Ojai, and destroying hundreds of homes and hundreds of thousands of acres of public land. In January a diverse group of citizens from the Ojai Valley, eager to help in the recovery effort, began meeting about once a month on Sunday at the public library.

The Green Coalition was asked to facilitate the ensuing discussions, which have featured local wildlife and watershed experts, members of the city council and environmental leaders, and dozens of concerned citizens and volunteers.

Water security has been a primary focus of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition for over 10 years. We offer watershed approach resources and best practices for the Ojai community as we work together to sustainably manage the finite water resources available in our mediterranean climate region.

In an effort to reduce polluting greenhouse gas emissions, the Ojai Valley Green Coalition is actively working to support clean, renewable energy initiatives in our area. One such project was the Clean Power Alliance, which was a newly formed Community Choice Energy program that launched in 2018. The program was developed in Los Angeles County and expanded to include Ventura County. OVGC supported and informed its membership of the green choices in this program and continues to be supportive as key changes occur.

OVGC took on the mission to keep the skies as dark as possible in the Ojai Valley, so we can see the most we can of the night sky and stars above. Ojai Valley Green Coalition members support the continued presence of a Dark Sky community, following the guidelines established by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA).

Relatives With Roots is a new, arts education program to encourage students (ages 8 - 11) to learn how to draw and paint through observation of the natural world. We believe that a sustainable and resilient Ojai Valley begins with empowering youth and advocating for the rights of Nature.

The initial program sessions took place in the City of Ojai, at Cluff Vista Park which has a diverse collection of native plants, ample seating, and community accessibility that is an ideal outdoor classroom for this program. We are discussing plans to do another program, and/or teach local groups and schools how to do the program themselves, to reach more children in the Ojai Valley.