OCTOBER 2026

Our first-ever Spooktober Fest Fundraiser was a success!

On October 23, we hosted our first-ever Spooktober Fest Fundraiser at Madewest Brewery in Ventura! The evening consisted of a stellar silent auction, noteworthy performances by The Killer Dueling Pianos, mouthwatering brews, and captivating conversations about conservation with our community and partners. A big thank you to Madewest Brewery, The Killer Dueling Pianos, Fund for Resource Conservation, event sponsors, event volunteers, and, of course, our amazing community for showing up and supporting our cause!

We hope to see you at our next fundraising event!

Welcome our new Grizzly Corps Fellow, Chloe Montgomery!

VCRCD is excited to host a Grizzly Corps Fellow! Chloe Montgomery started her 2026-2027 service year and will be working closely with our Fire Preparedness team.

Chloe graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Management with a focus on ecology, biodiversity, and conservation. Welcome, Chloe!

ET & SMS Data Workshop for Irrigation Management

We are excited for you to join us for a training on November 4th from 2-4 pm at the United Water Conservation District Headquarters with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) designed to equip participants with knowledge on Evapotranspiration (ET), where to find the data, how to interpret the data, and using the data to inform irrigation management. RSVP for the workshop via the button below!

RSVP for the Workshop

Rancher-to-Rancher Event

Register Today! The Central Coast Soil Hub, RMR Ranch, and Soil Carbon Coalition will host a one‑day Rancher‑to‑Rancher gathering in Ojai on November 6th from 9am-2pm. These events connect ranchers, land managers, and others interested in land stewardship through shared experience and hands-on learning. RSVP via the link below! Registration is free but mandatory.

RSVP for the Event

Bilingual Bird Walks

We hope to see you at the November Bilingual Bird Walk at TNC's Santa Clara River Preserve on Saturday, November 7th from 8:30am to 10:30am led by VCRCD's Resource Conservation Specialist Alexander Vaca. Please note: Bird walks are subject to being rescheduled due to inclement weather conditions.

November Bird Walk Registration

Monarch & Pollinator Planting Event

Join us on November 11 from 9 am to 12 pm in planting a native habitat to support monarch butterflies, pollinators, and other local wildlife. This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment — no experience necessary! Make sure to bring sun protection, water, and closed-toe shoes. Any questions? Email Jia Wiebe! Register at the link below.

Boo at the Zoo

Last weekend, Conservation Ecologist Jia Wiebe and Education & Outreach Coordinator Mary Reyes attended Boo at the Zoo at the Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College! We love tabling at this spooky and festive event each year.

The second weekend of Boo at the Zoo is THIS weekend on October 31st and November 1st from 11 to 4:30pm. Purchase your tickets at the link below!

Purchase Boo at the Zoo Tickets!

Western Monarch Count

The Restoration and Wildlife Team has been assisting the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to coordinate local early season counts as monarchs travel to their overwintering roost sites, as well as participating themselves. Below are two photos of one of these magical places, Harmon Barranca, but alas the counts have been small so far. There are two more count periods to go this year and another training is planned on November 6 for anyone interested in helping with this important citizen science effort.

Learn More about the Count

Hueneme Masonic Cemetery Work

Another Xerces-listed monarch overwintering site we have been restoring for over five years is showing promise under some challenging conditions at the Hueneme Masonic Cemetery. Photos show thriving elderberry trees and quailbushes that are almost ready to provide food and cover for several birds and wildlife species. The remaining 100-year-old-plus eucalyptus trees are in the background. VCRCD counters were able to snap a photo of a visiting monarch there.

La Jolla Site

We continue to conduct regular care for 30 young trees planted this year at the La Jolla group campsite in Mugu State Park and were able to get help from our Grizzly Corps fellow Chloe. Grizzly Corp is an AmeriCorps Fellowship that sends recent college graduates to promote climate resilience in rural communities through fire and forest health. She is primarily helping with the VCRCD Fire programs but is able to lend a hand with restoration occasionally as well.

The young native oaks, black walnuts, and elderberries we planted will provide valuable and so far, rare shade for campers and their horses when they mature, as well as acorns, nuts and berries for wildlife.