Land Conservancy Buys Ojai Meadows
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy announced it has purchased the 32-acre parcel known as Ojai Meadows for $525,000, ensuring that the grassland area remains open space.
Jim Engel, executive director of the conservancy, said the purchase of the land, which is on Highway 33 just north of Nordhoff High School, has been a long time coming.
The land is dotted with centuries-old oak trees. Its relatively flat landscape and central location have made it popular over the years with developers, many of whom had plans for the parcel--including a shopping center and housing developments.
The conservancy has an agreement to acquire the privately held land and plans to replace European varieties of grass and vegetation, with indigenous plants. Other restoration projects, such as an extension of the wetland channel that currently runs in a strip from the property’s front to back, will likely follow.
Much of the money to buy and restore the area will come from grants and contributions, Engel said.
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