Mariano Rancho - Fulfilling a promise to preserve…

California State Assemblymember Steve Bennett was the primary advocate for directing state funds to Ventura Land Trust for land acquisition, stewardship, and infrastructure for public preserve access.

“The State of California’s investment in the acquisition efforts of Ventura Land Trust will give residents enormous outside recreational value for many generations,” says Bennett. “I'm proud to partner with them and Senator [Monique] Limón in securing these funds.”

Bennett, a longtime champion for open space conservation in the region, co-authored the Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR) initiatives that slow urban sprawl by requiring a vote of the citizens before greenbelt areas outside of Ventura County cities can be rezoned for development. The first SOAR initiative was approved by voters in the City of Ventura in 1995.

Although county residents should celebrate the preservation of this open space, Baffa cautions that Mariano Rancho Preserve is not yet open to the public. “The southern property boundary is adjacent to residential neighborhoods with narrow streets. There is no public parking available for access to the preserve from those neighborhoods. Additional visitors and traffic could prevent residents and emergency vehicles from moving freely and safely through the streets.”

Ventura Land Trust will engage in a detailed two-to three-year planning process before opening Mariano Rancho Preserve to the public. The planning process will address the long-term conservation and stewardship of the land.

In the coming months, Ventura Land Trust will commission a conceptual trail plan for the property. The trail network will offer preserve access to hikers and cyclists, while minimizing the impact on plant and animal habitats. A trailhead parking enclosure will be constructed to accommodate visitors.

A series of community meetings will be scheduled for late summer and fall 2022. Each meeting will focus on an element of Ventura Land Trust’s planning for the preserve, with topics on public access, conservation and land restoration, and trails and recreation. The public is invited to attend. Meeting dates, times, and locations will be posted on Ventura Land Trust’s website.

Additionally, a portion of the State funding will support the capital campaign for Harmon Canyon Preserve. This campaign is expected to come to its conclusion by the end of the year. Donors who contribute a gift of $1,000 or more toward the Harmon Canyon Campaign by November 1, 2022 will be recognized on an onsite donor wall. The donor wall, to be installed near the preserve’s main trailhead, will be a metal art installation by Ventura artist Tyronne McGrath. 

Despite the windfall of state funding, Ventura Land Trust is still in need of donations and community support for operations and stewardship of its conserved lands. Ventura Land Trust is a privately-funded nonprofit organization, not a government entity or part of a city or county parks department. Individual membership to Ventura Land Trust, which provides core support to help protect and preserve open space, advance habitat restoration efforts, and fund outdoor education programs, starts at $45 per year.

Board of Trustees President Mark Watkins feels that with nearly 4,000 acres of land in Ventura Land Trust’s care, gratitude to all stakeholders, including those whose vision for the protection of Ventura’s hillsides laid the groundwork for Mariano Rancho Preserve’s conservation nearly 20 years ago, is paramount.

“This funding will guarantee the ability of Ventura Land Trust to preserve open space for public access on literally thousands of acres,” says Watkins. “We are so thankful to the State of California, our local State representatives and the tremendous support from this community to make the dream of permanently protected open space come true.”