VCRCD May Newsletter

Passing of Executive Director, Debra Gillis

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Debra Gillis. Debra had been a member of the VCRCD team for over 16 years. Most recently Debra served as our Executive Director, from 2017 to 2024. Debra was a devoted mother, daughter, and wife. She was also an animal lover, especially dogs and desert tortoises, which she raised. Debra will be sorely missed by many and her absence from our team will be deeply felt.

In appreciation of Debra’s life and her contributions to the community, Debra’s family requests donations be made to her memorial fund in lieu of flowers. To donate, please visit our PayPal Donation Page, link below.

Donation Page Link

Please reference the Gillis-Bradley Memorial Fund for Resource Conservation in the “Notes” section.

Debra’s life will be celebrated June 11, from 11am-3pm. To RSVP, please reach out to her husband, Sean Bradley, at avseanbradley@gmail.com or (661) 382-9272.

Jamie Whiteford is serving as our Interim Executive Director and may be reached at Jamie.Whiteford@vcrcd.org

Planting Event

June 5th

Laurelwood Park

2127 Dexter St.

Camarillo

9am - 5pm

Join on on June 5th at Laurelwood Park to install monarch butterfly habitat. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own water, sun protection, and comfortable shoes. We will supply plants, tools, and any equipment necessary. To RSVP email Heidi.Ortloff@vcrcd.org. We look forward to seeing you!

Healthy Soils Program

The Ventura County Resource Conservation District is providing funding to support healthy soils on working land.

HSP provides cost-share to farmers and ranchers to implement healthy soil practices, including compost application, cover cropping, hedgerow planting, prescribed grazing, riparian forest buffer, and much more!

Agricultural operations eligible include row, vineyard, field and tree crops, greenhouse operations producing food crops or flowers, rangeland, and pastures.

Apply

Oak Park Students

Students at Oak Hills Elementary helped install a new pollinator garden at their school with the assistance of VCRCD staff. The young students took turns pulling out invasive weeds and planting new native plants. By the end of the day over 8 classes helped plant over 100 plants.

Monarch Regional Advisory Meeting

Our Education Coordinator hosted the latest Monarch Regional Advisory Committee meeting earlier this month. These online meetings are focused on spreading regional knowledge about monarch butterflies. This month we had presentations from the Ventura County Master Gardeners, Monarch Joint Venture, and the VCRCD. To learn more email the coordinator at Heidi.Ortloff@vcrcd.org

Regional RCD

This year the VCRCD hosted the regional meeting for Central Coast Resource Conservation Districts. Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), such as VCRCD are Special Districts of the State of the California that are locally governed. This event allowed our organization to share ideas and projects with other RCD's in our region.

Attendees were able to enjoy the beautiful King & King Ranch where we had locally sourced food and went on a tour of several RCD projects. The tour provided a great example of conservation, restoration, and sustainable agriculture work that can be done with RCD's partner with local owners.

Santa Clara Watershed Meeting

Last month our employee, Lauren Zaragoza, coordinated and led the Santa Clara River Watershed general meeting. Speakers for last month's meeting included UC Bren Students, VCRCD, NOAA, and a USC Landscape Architecture student.

Watch Recording

Ventura River Watershed Council

Field Trip

June 6th

For more information email venturawatershed@gmail.com

Santa Clara River Watershed Committee

Field Trip

June 21st

For more information email Lauren.Zaragoza@vcrcd.org

VCRCD offers several planting and weeding events throughout the year. To receive emails when these events arise please sign up at the link below.

Become a Volunteer

If you can't volunteer your time consider making a donation to the VCRCD. Donations can help pay for resources that may not be covered by grant funds.

Donate

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