VENTURA — Ventura Land Trust (VLT) will host the second in its series of community meetings for the newly-conserved Mariano Rancho Preserve on Wednesday, November 9th at DeAnza (DATA) Middle School at 6:30 pm. VLT staff will present plans for trails and recreation for the 1,645-acre preserve in the hills north of Ventura, and community members will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback.
VLT Executive Director Melissa Baffa and Preserve Director Dan Hulst will present parts of a conceptual trail plan developed for Mariano Rancho Preserve. The plan allows VLT to identify existing trail resources on the preserve and understand what trails can be used for public recreation, what trails require restoration, and where future trails could be developed.
“This community meeting is to share VLT’s ideas for the visitor experience on Mariano Rancho Preserve,” says Preserve Director Dan Hulst. “We’re asking for input from everyone who will be using the preserve for recreation: hikers, cyclists, dog-walkers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts. As we gather feedback, it will inform our trail development as it relates to trail use and habitat conservation.
Mariano Rancho Preserve’s trail network will incorporate lessons learned from trail development at Harmon Canyon Preserve. Mixed-use trails will accommodate both hikers and cyclists, but single-use and directional trails, designed to reduce user conflict, are also being considered for Mariano Rancho Preserve.
In June 2022, VLT was awarded $7.2 million from the State of California to the complete the conservation of Mariano Rancho Preserve and fund the infrastructure needed to open the preserve to the public in coming years. The eastern edge of Mariano Rancho Preserve contains one of Ventura’s iconic “Two Trees.” The western corner of the property is adjacent to Ventura’s Grant Park. The preserve is not currently open to the public.
Guests are encouraged to RSVP for free for the trails and recreation meeting at www.venturalandtrust.org/trails. Public questions and comments can be submitted before the meeting via a form on the online event listing. Spanish language translation services will be offered at the event. Free parking is available at DeAnza (DATA) Middle School, located at 2060 Cameron Street, Ventura.
The first meeting on public access and parking was held on October 12th. A recording of that event will be posted on Ventura Land Trust’s website for viewing. The final meeting on land conservation and restoration will be held on Wednesday, December 7th at Ventura Missionary Church at 7:00 pm. Find more information at www.venturalandtrust.org.
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 and the 1,645-acre Mariano Rancho Preserve. All preserves are open to the public daily from dawn to dusk for free. Ventura Land Trust is an accredited member of the Land Trust Alliance.