2013 Picnic at the River

2nd Annual Picnic at the River:  Reconnecting the Community with the River


Date: Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 11AM-1PM

Friends of the Ventura River and Ventura Hillsides Conservancy will host a free community picnic and present information about the Ventura River Parkway on Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 11am-1pm. The event will be held on the Conservancy’s Willoughby Preserve in the Ventura River, south of the Main Street Bridge.

The public is invited to take a self-guided tour to witness first-hand the progress made in restoring the property over the past year. Informational exhibits will be stationed at areas throughout the preserve extolling the various benefits of the parkway plan. The theme of the event is “reconnecting Ventura to the river in our backyard.” Visitors can take advantage of new trail connections between the Ventura River Trail and Emma Wood State Beach.

A diverse coalition of partners has gathered under the Friends of the Ventura River umbrella including the State Coastal Conservancy, Trust for Public Land, California State Parks, National Parks Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, Coastal Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), Environmental Defense Center, Tortilla Flats Archive, Project Understanding, Downtown Ventura Organization, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau, Ventura Audubon, Ventura Water, the City of Ventura’s Community Development, Environmental Sustainability and Parks and Recreation departments, Ventura Surfrider, Santa Barbara Channel Keeper, Ventura Citizens for Hillsides Preservation, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy and the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy.

Parking is available in the Main Street Lot across from the Peking St. bus stop, with overflow available on Olive St, but as always please consider walking, biking, taking the bus or carpooling.

Please join us to learn more about this exciting opportunity to reconnect with our river! For more information call Lee Sherman, Ventura Hillsides Conservancy Development & Volunteer Coordinator at 805-643-8044.

Friends Meeting Agenda, May 21, 2013

THE FRIENDS OF THE VENTURA RIVER COALITION

MEETING

TUESDAY May 21, 2013

PATAGONIA FIREHOUSE BUILDING

from 4:30-6:30p

Directions:

The meeting will take place on the 2nd floor of Patagonia’s Firehouse building, in the Grand Room.

The Firehouse is the tall building closest to Main St, address: 280 W. Main St. Enter Patagonia’s campus from Main St. and park anywhere in our lots (the lot at the corner of Main and Olive is most likely to have space available — all parking lots will remain unlocked until after this meeting is over). Enter the Firehouse on the south side of the building (furthest from Main St.)- we will have someone at the door directing you upstairs.

For Late Arrivals:

There will be someone at the door until 4:45pm, if you arrive after that call one of these cell numbers to be let in.

(If you think you will may be late, bring phone & call Kathy Bremer: 805 901-6415 & she can run down and let you in.)

Agenda:

Sign in sheet / Brief round table introductions

Old Business:

New Business:

  • Paul Jenkin will talk about NPS-RTCA new fold-out Parkway Trail Guide and progress made on River Parkway trails planning document
  • Lee Sherman will discuss Planning June Picnic at River June 8 on VHC Willoughby Property– the event will be more tour-oriented than last year, but there will still be tabling opportunities for FOVR member groups
  • Kathy Bremer/ Miguel Rodriguez talk about shared FOVR/ Cause Summerfest booth on June 1, 2013 (Booth volunteers needed.)
  • Discuss FOVR strategies for getting business sponsorship for picnic and future map printings
  • Review projects that FOVR will be “championing” in the new Ventura River Watershed Plan.
  • Announce upcoming River Clean-up Events
  • Other Ventura River-related Announcements or events
  • Be aware of 2013 Water Resources Report draft — due back to Ventura City Council in mid June of interest to FOVR because portions of city water come from Ventura River (May was pushed to June)

Paraphrased from Vta City Council staff report 3-4-13 Agenda Item 3:

In Nov 2012 LAFCO mandated Municipal Service Review (MSR) to determine if currently approved and proposed development in the City’s sphere is outpacing projected water supply. Staff prepared 2013 Comprehensive Water Resources Report draft & presented it to Council Mar 4 w/ final to return in May. “The data reveals that prudent planning and collaboration will be needed in the coming years to develop practical strategies to manage demand, balance economic growth, and pursue new water supplies.”

Other business or announcements

Next meeting date

Adjournment no later than 6:45 Thank you everyone for staying involved!