Trees
Why should we care?
Trees are super important to our ecosystem here in Ojai. Besides being beautiful, they provide shade allowing for smaller shrubs to grow, habitat for native birds and other small animals, and are natural carbon sinks that can help to reduce air pollution! Native trees are needed because they can survive in our dry climate, and local species depend on them. But they are threatened by drought, development, and invasive fast-growing tree species like eucalyptus and Mexican fan palm, so we need to plant more.
Current Projects
Ojai Meadows Preserve Oak Circles
Green Valley Project, the C.R.E.W., and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy have partnered together to help steward the Ojai Meadows Preserve. Youth have assisted in planting oak tree circles, which consist of a few oak seedlings in the middle and native shrubs that surround them. The reason for the native shrubs is to give the oak seedlings a more natural shaded environment to assist in their growth into strong trees over time.
Middle Stewart Creek Restoration Project
We are getting the community involved in native shrub/tree plantings, invasive grass removal, and watering events. Keep your eyes open for an outdoor Saturday restoration event on our calendar.
Re-Oaking Ojai
In partnership with Ojai Trees and the C.R.E.W., we will plant up to three oak trees for FREE on your property through this project (Planting Dates October 23rd or November 13th). You have the choice of two different native oak trees- Coast Live Oak and Valley Oak. If you are interested in receiving free trees for your property this Fall please connect with us at greenvalleyprojectojai@gmail.com.
How to Get Involved
Get involved in our next community watering event at Middle Stewart Creek. We planted some baby mulefat and willow trees that need watering!
Upcoming events:
August 21
Sign up to receive free trees from our Re-Oaking Ojai Project. The Sign Up form will be open in early September. Please connect with us at greenvalleyprojectojai@gmail.com for more information!