SOAR VC

The first-of-its-kind Wildlife Corridor Zone proposal passed in a 3-2 vote by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors! This ordinance will protect wildlife corridors connecting open space and mountains at the urban interface. Thank you to all who made their voice heard, whether at the public hearing, via email or letter, or on social media. We appreciate your support in passing this monumental initiative!

What an incredible FREE opportunity! Spread the word to any #Womenfamers + #womenlandowners in your network. Thank you American Farmland Trust for bringing this valuable resource to our attention. Register here: http://bit.ly/3otMDZ8

Ojai farmland relieving our post-holiday, Monday blues

As we wrap up 2020, we wish to share our deepest gratitude with everyone who supported our campaign to renew all 9 of the SOAR initiatives until 2050! (most of which were set to expire in 2020 ) We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help from this special community. Thank you.

Lucky for us, winter can still = walks on the beach

Happy holidays from the SOAR team! Wishing you all a safe, relaxing break filled with gratitude and love. Pictured: Orange skies over the Santa Clara mountains during sunset

Here’s an oldie but goodie, featuring SOAR Board Member Linda Parks in the run up to the 2016 election when SOAR was overwhelmingly approved countywide. This is why we love Ventura County!

Oh what we would do for some fresh, locally grown Santa Paula citrus right now!

Did you know that a benefit of SOAR is securing a safe food source? SOAR initiatives protect valuable farmland that provides our region with fresh, local produce.

Views of Tierra Rejada farms from Tierra Rejada Rd

We are so proud to be a part of a community committed to the health of our land and the inclusion of our youth! Check out the live stream launch of the Green Valley Project, a new multi-year youth environmental initiative in the Ojai Valley. Details in Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s original post.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours Although many of us will be celebrating a bit differently this year, one thing will stay the same... delicious food! Let’s remember to give gratitude to the many dedicated farmworkers and healthy land that help us feed our families today, and every day.

We LOVE seeing communities implement wildlife crossing zones and all the incredible benefits that they bring. Thank you Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for sharing this video originally.

Quick! Time to catch the Friday night sunset in our favorite county

Happy #NationalHikeDay from the SOAR team! Time to celebrate by soaking up some November sunshine on your favorite trail! Always remember to practice safe social distancing and mask guidelines to keep yourself and our community healthy.

"When farmworkers and community allies come together, that's how farmworkers can progress. United Farmworkers of America Organizing Director, Roman Pinal Holiday food drive held on November 8th helped to provide essential food and home items to our local, dedicated farmworkers and Oxnard community members. As farmworkers ensure we have fresh, healthy food to eat every day let’s show our gratitude and ensure they have the same.

Climate scientists and farmers coming together to recognize the true cost of year-round, fast-paced commercial agriculture practices. As carbon levels in our atmosphere rise, farmers are noticing changes in the health of their soil, their access to fresh water, and the regional wind patterns calling attention to the need for regenerative practices and local eating habits. Read more on the stories told from local Ventura County farmers below.

Four years ago, Ventura County overwhelmingly re-approved SOAR initiatives to protect our region’s precious open spaces and agricultural resources. Today although SOAR is not on the ballot we encourage you to safely head to the polls (or your nearest official ballot drop box) and vote for a future that you’d be proud to leave your children and grandkids. #gotv See this resource to find your polling place and official drop box locations: https://bit.ly/2TMq6ZB

Happy Halloween from the SOAR team! Wishing everyone a spooky and safe holiday weekend. Consider this delicious pumpkin bread recipe to kick off the celebration.

Check out this video from Ojai Valley Land Conservancy depicting the unique beauty of Fall Ventura County oak leaves.

Nothing beats freshly picked, locally grown strawberries! Shoutout to Ventura County farmworkers.

Fall is here, and we are feeling inspired by the bountiful produce grown by our local farmers. Try this apple crisp recipe, a perfect treat as the weather gets cooler!

The magic of Ventura County on a sunny Saturday

From mountains to forests to creeks to the coast, our home has it all. Check out this long list of trails in and around Ventura County, we challenge you to try one this weekend!

Ventura coastline sunsets

Getting excited for fresh Fall produce and pumpkin patches as we transition away from Summer

We couldn't agree more Ojai Valley Land Conservancy! Thanks for sharing the beauty of Wills Canyon and the Ojai Meadows Preserve with our community.

Attention Ventura County lovers of agriculture and quality movies! As a part of this year’s virtual Ventura County Farm Day, SEEAG - Students for Eco Education and Agriculture is hosting the award-winning documentary, The Biggest Little Farm, at the VC Fairgrounds as a drive-in movie experience. Come join the community in this family-friendly event happening on November 1st.

New Ventura County health order mandating daily health screenings for agriculture workers as a means of reducing coronavirus risk in farmworker communities, modeled after the recent Santa Barbara order. As some of the most valuable contributors in our community, we are grateful to keep farmworkers safe and healthy.

Dancing into the weekend like our Snowy Egret friends over here!

John Hinojosa, founder of Ventura County nonprofit Feeding The Frontline: Feeding Our Farmworkers, speaks to the importance of supporting farmworker communities, especially during challenging times of COVID-19. Having served over 21,000 families since April with more to come, we give thanks to everyone participating in this initiative.

Santa Barbara County will now be participating in the Housing for Harvest COVID-19 program, granting hotel rooms to farmworkers in need to quarantine during the pandemic. Kudos to our neighbors for joining in such a helpful program, offering critical workers support during trying times. For more information about how Ventura County can get involved, contact: [email protected]

We are wishing our northern neighbors a quick and safe recovery from the wildfires impacting the natural land, wildlife, and communities. Thank you to each and every firefighter and community member working to alleviate the damage to California. Pictured here we have Ventura County burn recovery land from previous wildfires in our own community.

Can you guess this flower spotted in Ventura County open space?

The annual Farm Day in-person tours set to happen this November in Ventura County have been canceled and replaced with Farm Day Features put together by SEEAG - Students for Eco Education and Agriculture. These short 10-minute videos will show viewers some incredible insight into the lives and protocols of our local farmers. Save the date! Features will begin premiering Sept. 14th: https://www.venturacountyfarmday.com/

Views of mountains, greenery, and fluffy clouds across Ojai open farmland ... #openspace #agland #agriculturalland #grassyfields #blueskies #protectopenspace See more

Thanks Ojai Valley Land Conservancy for this fascinating info on Anna's hummingbirds (Calypte anna). Look out for these colorful birds next time you're out on some Ventura County nature preserves!

We are feeling hopeful and thankful for the fire departments across California fighting to keep so many communities safe. According to the Ventura County Fire Department update this morning, all Ventura evacuations have been lifted and the Holser Fire is over halfway contained.

As we all experience this heat wave through Ventura and neighboring counties, we are feeling extra grateful for local farmworkers. Thank you for enduring long hours under the sun, providing fresh produce for our community daily.

Ever caught a glimpse of these beauties out on the Ventura coastline?

Thank you Ventura County Annual Coastal Cleanup Day, Surfrider Foundation - Ventura County Chapter, Ventura Land Trust, City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability, GoGreen - City of Thousand Oaks, Community for a Clean Watershed, and the 1,572,528 total volunteers for coming together year after year to keep Ventura Coastline clean of trash and debris. Let's continue to preserve natural, open spaces for generations to come.

Purple skies above Ventura County mountain ranges The protection of open space allows us to enjoy this natural beauty while preserving the health of ecosystems and wildlife. #openspaceprotection

Some Ventura County local flora to brighten up your evening

Fillmore Cabbage Farm views on a sunny afternoon

Thanks Ventura Land Trust for highlighting such an amazing spot to get outside and enjoy nature in our county!

Don't miss out on some fresh, locally grown produce at the Thousand Oaks Certified Farmers' Market today until 5pm! Thank you to all the farmers bringing us delicious food year round

Summertime clear skies along the coast of Ventura County

Wetlands are unique, valuable ecosystems which provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife, naturally improve water quality and protect against floods At SOAR, we are grateful for the Ormond Wetlands in Ventura County, working hard to produce vital ecosystem services every day.

Stunning sunset seen from the banks of the Santa Clara

Plans of logging and chaparral removal are underway in Ventura Backcountry on Pine Mountain a biodiversity hotspot and habitat to much of California’s wildlife. Collectively we can protect the open space right in our own backyard by submitting personalized comments online before June 30th.

Read up on how Chris Sayer, manager of Petty Ranch a 130 year old family lemon and avocado farm in Ventura County, received economic and crop health benefits from implementing resilient farming practices!

"Food Share is proud to partner with Sembrando Salud and Reiter to provide fresh produce to farmworkers in Ventura County. Farmworkers provide an essential service in our community. We are happy to be a part of ensuring that they, too, benefit from the healthy fresh foods that their hard work enables us all to enjoy." Monica White, Food Share's President & CEO

What a great opportunity to explore outdoor spaces while remaining safe! Thanks to the Rancho Ventura Conservation Trust for offering this to our community.

Effective last weekend, the Santa Monica Mountain trails opened back up for hiking. As California begins to open back up, authorities emphasize the still-relevant urgency for social distancing. "No group activities or gatherings will be allowed and visitors are required to keep at least six feet from others. Agencies also urged trail-goers to stick close to home and avoid areas where physical distancing isn't possible." Enjoy the newly open natural spaces and stay safe!

The Ventura County Resource Conservation District is now expanding its reach offering services which help landowners and farmers replenish their land, keeping it healthy and fruitful.

Its always a treat catching a glimpse of wildlife on Ventura County open space and farmland

Our Ventura County farmworkers are in the news again, this time battling COVID-19 while feeding the nation. Good morning, we’re here ready to start another day of work in the fields even though we are very worried about the presence of this disease, said Cleotilde, a Ventura farmworker. Here we are, doing everything possible despite these times, the good and the bad. We’re harvesting food and sending it to the table of the millions who need it. We are grateful for the work of these farmers and those all throughout the country ensuring our communities stay fed.

Eating locally and seasonally is an important practice to support community and the land. Lucky for us, Ventura County has plenty of farmers and produce to choose from! Strawberry season typically lasts from April to June in California

On April 16th, the southern California and central coast mountain lions were placed under the protection of the California Endangered Species Act (CESA), voted unanimously by the California Fish and Game Commission. Thank you to everyone's support leading to this success!

Happy Earth Day from the SOAR team! An annual day to remind us the importance of protecting our environments... including open space! Check out the Santa Barbara Earth Day virtual festival with live streams from speakers and performers like Kenny Loggins and Al Gore, as well as community discussions and even a beer garden zoom sesh!

We love to see open space restoration projects underway!

Thank you to the Center for Biological Diversity for submitting the coalition letter urging the California Fish and Game commission to list Southern California and Central Coast mountain lions as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act. Tomorrow morning, April 16th, a meeting will be held with the commission around this issue. The public can join the teleconference to listen and/or offer comments, attached are instructions. We urge those in support to join the call and make your voice heard!

During times of COVID-19, people are increasingly turning to grocery delivery services and safe pick up from small farms. Ventura County’s very own Underwood Family Farms is an example, offering produce boxes shipped across the U.S. This option allows households to avoid unnecessary contact with others, while supporting smaller scale farmers.

Were you scared about feeding your family as you saw those empty shelves? How will we feed our society in the future as farms fail and consolidate? Do you value the food you put on your table? Then it’s time to start valuing the farmers that produce it. We understand that limiting exposure to others is key, which may prompt you to stock up on nonperishables and avoid the remaining open farmers’ markets. However, now more than ever, your immune system deserves that extra care and farmers need that extra support. Many small business farms offer online delivery and farmers’ markets can still be a safe option if proper health safety procedures are followed. Amid the crisis that is COVID-19, it is especially crucial to recognize the invaluable work done by farmers (today and everyday).

Call to action! Support efforts to list the Southern and Central California mountain lions under the California Endangered Species Act by sending your own letter to the state's wildlife officials, asking them to vote yes on protecting the last remaining large carnivore in this geographic area. As ecosystem engineers, mountain lions' kills provide food for scavengers like the critically endangered California condor. If we lose mountain lions, we may face degraded ecosystems and decreased biodiversity.

SOAR is proud to announce that we have signed on to the coalition letter urging the California Fish and Game Commission to list Southern and Central California mountain lions under the California Endangered Species Act, requiring state and local agencies to promote the recovery and long-term survival of listed species. We have a unique opportunity to preserve this keystone species and potentially many other imperiled wildlife and plants. #SaveCaliforniaCougars Thank you to the Center for Biological Diversity for initiating this important addition.

Due to an influx of people at Ventura County parks and trails, officials have decided to close certain popular spots as well restrict parking lots for locations which are remaining open. Although outdoor spaces are one of our only outlets during times of COVID-19, social distancing and public safety is top priority. Remember to always keep 6’ apart from other groups and to stay adequately sanitized in public spaces. Check out this article for more info on trail closures and tips for safely spending time outside.

Dog walks: Not Canceled!

While public areas remain closed in efforts to slow spread of COVID- 19, we are grateful to share that the Ventura County Farmers' Markets will remain open. Fresh produce made available by the local, dedicated farming community. Make sure to adhere to these guidelines to ensure safety of yourself and others!

While public areas remain closed in efforts to slow spread of COVID 19, we are grateful to share that the Ventura County Farmer's Markets will remain open. Fresh produce made available by the local, dedicated farming community. Make sure to adhere to these guidelines to ensure safety of yourself and others!

Thank you Wilderness Youth Project for some nature connection inspo and this lung cleansing recipe!