VENTURA — Ventura Land Trust (VLT), a community-based nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of open space in Ventura County, has announced that it has added two new members to its Board of Trustees: Paolo Perrone and Sabrena Rodriguez.
Paolo Perrone brings over fifteen years of experience in land conservation to the Board of Trustees, and he currently works as the Senior Conservation Manager for the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Prior to that, he served as a Project Director, protecting land statewide, for The Nature Conservancy. Previously, he worked with the Trust for Public Land, conserving multiple properties in Ventura County and across Southern California. He has a Master’s in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor’s in Politics from UC Santa Cruz.
Prior to joining VLT’s board, Paolo was a member of the VLT Advisory Council. About making the leap from Advisory Council to the Board of Trustees, Paolo said, “After ten years of working in conservation in Ventura, it only seemed natural to join the Ventura Land Trust board. I’ve been so impressed with their work, from the opening of Harmon Canyon to the recent acquisition of the Hillsides preserve, I really wanted to be part of the amazing team and help in any way I can!”
Also joining the Board of Trustees is Sabrena Rodriguez. Sabrena has been a dedicated advocate for public education and the students it serves for over 30 years. A trained conservation biologist, Ms. Rodriguez worked with communities in Central and South America and Southern Africa to develop sustainable economic ventures that benefit both local people and wildlife. She oversaw the development of tropical forest conservation curriculum for the Rainforest Alliance and managed a microloan program that supported indigenous women small business owners in reaching value-added markets in the US and Europe with sustainable products.
Ms. Rodriguez was first elected to the Ventura Unified School District board of education in 2016. At the local level, she has been deeply involved in VUSD’s Ethnic and Social Justice initiative, a longtime advocate for the Arts, and a vocal proponent of mental health access for all students. She is active in statewide educational issues through her leadership in the California School Board Association. She holds a BS in Biology and Ecology from the University of California, Irvine, and an MSc in Conservation Biology from the University of Kent, Canterbury in the UK.
Sabrena was also a member of VLT’s Advisory Council before joining the VLT Board of Trustees. Regarding joining the board at this critical time in the organization’s history, Sabrena said, “There are few things more iconic — or more cherished — than the hillsides, riverbeds, and coastline that define Ventura. These natural spaces are part of who we are. VLT’s work to preserve, restore, and care for these lands ensures that future generations will be able to experience the same sense of wonder and connection that we do today. I’m especially inspired by VLT’s long-term vision — to protect land in perpetuity, just as the Chumash did for centuries. It’s powerful to be part of something that stretches beyond our lifetimes.
“As a conservation biologist by training, this opportunity feels like a return to my roots — a way to once again contribute directly to the protection of the natural world. Ventura’s open spaces are not just beautiful; they’re essential to our quality of life, our local biodiversity, and our future. I’m grateful for the chance to lend my time, energy, and perspective to support this mission.”
About Ventura Land Trust
The mission of Ventura Land Trust is to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife, and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, Ventura Land Trust believes that preserving open space and providing public access enhances the economy, quality of life, and public well-being of Ventura and surrounding communities. The organization currently owns and manages land along the Ventura River and in the Ventura hillsides, including the 2,100-acre Harmon Canyon Preserve, which opened in June 2020. Harmon Canyon Preserve is Ventura’s first large-scale nature preserve and is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk for free. In addition to these major holdings, the Ventura Land Trust owns and stewards other smaller parcels across Ventura County. Ventura Land Trust received accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance in 2019. Learn more and become a member at www.venturalandtrust.org