In July, we need your help cleaning up trash at our Willoughby Preserve. Additionally, we will chop, pull, and lop non-native, invasive plant species that are wreaking havoc on our native riparian ecosystem! Our Willoughby Preserve has come a long way over the years, but it's up to us to keep it trash free and chalk full of native plants. 

River Restoration events are a part of VLT's ongoing efforts to bring the Ventura River back to its natural state and make it more welcoming to human and wildlife visitors alike. Please wear pants, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, and don't forget sunscreen and water. We'll provide the tools, you provide the enthusiasm!

 

Meet VHC staff at 9 a.m. next to the Main St. Bridge along the bike path near downtown Ventura (at Main St. & Peking Streets). We will gather next to the Land Trust's beautiful informational kiosk. Please wear pants, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, and don't forget sunscreen and water!

 

Please note: River cleanup volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Due to the nature of tools used and bio-hazardous materials occasionally found in the river estuary, we do not encourage young children to participate in these events. Please see our Events Page for more family-friendly outings!

Want to contribute more than sweat-equity? The Ventura Land Trust now offers affordable River Restoration Sponsorship opportunities. Environmentally-minded individuals and businesses are invited to support our habitat restoration work by financially contributing to the costs of cleaning, clearing and restoring the land. There's no better way to put your money to work!

On Thursday, July 25 at 7 PM, join Ventura Land Trust at the Museum of Ventura County's Pavilion (note new venue) for a free community lecture entitled: Fascinating Discoveries from the Deep Blue Sea. This next installment in VLT's ongoing Environmental Speaker Series will feature Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Development Officer Melissa Baffa, who served as a Science Communication Fellow with the Ocean Exploration Trust, sailing on the E/V Nautilus in 2015, 2016, and 2018.

Despite their vast importance throughout human history, only about 5% of the world’s oceans have been studied in great detail. Melissa Baffa will shares stories of her amazing adventures exploring the deep sea alongside pioneering ocean explorer Dr. Robert Ballard. In 2015 she accompanied Dr. Ballard to the Galapagos Rift Zone during his first trip back to the hydrothermal vents he discovered in 1977. Since then, she has also explored the deep basins and ridges along the Southern California coastline and a seamount off the coast of Monterey.

Melissa blends a background in biology, a passion for the ocean, and a gift for public speaking with effortless ease. Don't miss out on this chance to listen and learn about one of our earth's last unexplored wilderness areas - the ocean.

Ventura Land Trust’s Environmental Speaker Series, now in its fourth year, is one of the many ways VLT works to educate the public about important environmental topics. Although free to the public, a $20/person donation is suggested at the door.

RSVPs are highly encouraged. Reserve your seat today!

Join VLT for an evening of food, drink and "fun"raising at one of Ventura's tastiest restaurants - Himalaya. Instead of a night in the kitchen, enjoy an evening of cuisine and drinks from India, Nepal, and Tibet. Anup Rimal, founder of Himalaya, has graciously offered to donate 25% of proceeds from the evening to Ventura Land Trust, and we want to pack the house! So grab your friends and family and meet us at Himalaya on August 1st.   

No tickets to buy, no flyer to bring - just come on down and enjoy a delicious dinner at Himalaya, the chance to hang with your favorite VLT friends and the opportunity to help raise money for open space preservation in the process. How easy is that? Hope to see you on August 1st!

Ventura Land Trust is looking for 75 helpful people to pitch in at our biggest fundraising event of the year - the 2019 Wild and Scenic Film Festival. Help is needed with a variety of tasks including set-up, check-in & ticket sales, parking, ushering, beer and wine sales/serving - must be RBS (Responsible Beverage Serving) certified, raffle ticket sales, break-down and so much more. All volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years old and anyone serving alcohol must be at least 21 years old.

Volunteering is a fun way to work alongside a great group of like-minded people, connect with your community and contribute to the preservation of open space all at the same time. Sign up today! 

Volunteers shifts vary in length. Please choose the shift that works best for you.

• 9 AM -1 PM (set-up)
• 3:30 - 8 PM (before the films begin)*
• 9:30 - 11:30 PM (break-down)

*If you are RSB certified and would like to help with beer or wine serving, please sign up for the 3:30 - 8 PM shift and also send a separate email indicating your interest to: volunteer@venturalandtrust.org

Volunteers receive our heartfelt gratitude AND free entrance into the Festival!

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

This year's festival will be bigger, better, and even MORE FUN! We are thrilled to once again host our popular film festival at a beautiful outdoor venue on the campus of the Ventura County Credit Union. Bring your low-back chairs and blankets, and prepare for a night to remember!

With live music, food trucks, outdoor games, and more, this year's festival will be one night of fun for the whole community to enjoy. Proceeds from this event support the projects and programs of Ventura Land Trust. 

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival offers audiences the chance to enjoy a series of award-winning short films that celebrate the beauty and bounty of our natural world.  This popular festival, which sells out every year, helps to connect the Land Trust’s local work to similar environmental efforts around the globe. In addition to viewing films, attendees also enjoy live music, food, beer, wine and the chance to win high-end items in a raffle that includes original artwork, outdoor gear, dining-out certificates and much, much more.

Doors Open at 5 PM, Films Begin at 8 PM, Fun Lasts All Night!

1st Annual Ventura Land Trust Juried Nature Contest and Exhibit.

Photograph by Dan Holmes

Ventura Land Trust wants to see your wildlife and nature photos. A nonprofit that advocates for the preservation of water, wildlife and wild places, Ventura Land Trust is sponsoring our inaugural juried wildlife and natural landscape photography contest and exhibit. This event encourages people to explore with a camera the natural world around them, whether that’s their own backyard, a local stream or a national park. All submitted photos must be of wildlife, landscapes or scenic beauty.

This is an open call to all photographers, amateur and professional to submit 3 original digital images to be considered for inclusion in the Ventura Land Trust's Nature Photography Contest and Exhibit. Our panel of four esteemed judges will choose the winning photographs to be included in a 3-month Nature Photography Exhibit and Sale that will be hung on the walls of Rincon Brewery, 4100 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA 93003.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CONTEST DETAILS

Entry deadline: July 13, 2019

Entry fee: Although not required, participating photographers are encouraged to donate 20% of any sale proceeds to support the Ventura Land Trust.$20 for all professional and non-professional photographers.

Prizes: The top three winning photographs will win prizes comprised of bragging rights, gift certificates to local retailers and VLT merchandise.

Submissions: Entries will be accepted until 7/13/19. Contestants must send their contact information and .jpg digital photos to Dan Holmes, lead judge: danholmesphoto@gmail.com.  Each person can submit up to 3 photos. There is a $20 fee to enter. Although not required, participating photographers are encouraged to donate 20% of any sale proceeds to support the Ventura Land Trust.

Exhibit: The winning photographs to be exhibited on the walls of Rincon Brewery, 4100 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA 93003, from September 5 - November 30, 2019.

Copyright Policy: The copyright of submitted images remains with the photographer. By signing the entry form, the photographer agrees to allow Ventura Land Trust to publish the image on websites, social media and printed materials and to use the image in promotions for this and future contests without compensation.

Image Usage Rights: Participation in the contest requires the contestant to give Ventura Land Trust permission to use the photographs without compensation on the Contest Website as well as on other VLT websites and in news releases which may appear in print or on third party websites for the purpose of publicizing the contest. VLT will always include the photographer’s name when using a photograph for any purpose.

Publicity: The winning photographs will be posted on the Ventura Land Trust website as well as hung on the walls of Rincon Brewery. Winners will be named in a news release that is widely distributed to local media.

The mission of the Ventura Land Trust is to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations.