Letter Published in Ojai Valley News
Article photo by Nathan Wickstrum
Text originally appeared in January 1, 2021 edition of Ojai Valley News, Letters to the Editor section.
Kudos to the Ojai Valley News for its front page coverage of the drastic decline of Monarch butterflies. As the article described, threats to the Monarch’s survival include habitat loss, lack of the native milkweed plants, as well as exposure to pesticides and climate change.
The good news is that there are thousands of conservation efforts nationwide to restore and improve habitat. Here in the Ojai Valley, the especially exciting and heartening news is that a historic effort has begun that will benefit nature for years to come. This month, the new Green Valley Project has officially launched with the mission to restore damaged local ecosystems and increase biodiversity — with Ojai’s young people leading the way.
The Green Valley Project is an environmental initiative led by The C.R.E.W. with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and Once Upon a Watershed (a program of the Ventura Land Trust), and two local firms with significant biological and technical expertise: Pax Environmental and Watershed Progressive. The GVP is working closely with local schools, especially the Ojai Unified School District, to involve students both during and after school.
Through this multi-year initiative, Ojai’s young people will have hands-on opportunities to repair damaged ecosystems in the Ojai Valley so they can provide habitat for abundant wildlife, such as raptors and other birds, butterflies and bees, turtles and fish. Participants will be growing and planting native trees and plants to restore the ecology of local meadows, waterways, school campuses, and public open spaces. Over the years, this work will help water flow more freely, reduce carbon emissions, help prevent species extinction, and prevent fires, while growing a more resilient and green Ojai Valley.
Not only will the environment benefit, but our young people as well, as they will be involved in planning and design aspects of the projects - giving them exposure to a range of professional paths and “green collar jobs.”
Youth ages 12 to young adults are welcome to participate, with opportunities for adult volunteers as well. Those interested in knowing more and signing up are invited to visit www.greenvalleyproject.org.
Jennifer Berry, Executive Director
Caryn Bosson, Community Development Director
The C.R.E.W. - Concerned Resource & Environmental Workers