Ventura Surfrider Events February 2014
OFG Lawn Patrol Neighborhood Walk: 2-1
Here are some neat photos from the OFG event at the beginning of the month. The walk began at Patagonia where Paul Jenkin presented on "Know Your H2O". Then the group ventured along the bike path to the Gallegos residence on Prospect, checking out a variety of landscapes along the way.
"Know Your H2O"
Walking along the bike path
Eric discusses the edible landscape in view
Stream Team volunteers monitor drought conditions: 2-8
Every month, Ventura Surfrider partners with Santa Barbara Channel Keepers to sample the Ventura River.
Over the past months, stream team samplers have seen a dismal decline in Ventura River compared to previous years. The picture (below) shows that in 2012, the river above the pool was still flowing, but in 2013, and during the most recent Stream Team event, it was bone dry. The elevation of water in the pool is a good indicator of groundwater levels in the aquifer that feeds it. As you can see, the level has dropped considerably. Obviously, the fish who once occupied the pool are long dead. Help Surfrider and Santa Barbara Channel Keepers (SBCK) monitor water quality in the Ventura River watershed. We collect water samples and perform hands on field analysis at monitoring locations from above Matilija Dam to the estuary near Surfer’s Point. Ventura Stream Team sampling events take place once a month, usually on the first Saturday, from 9:00 Am to 1 PM. Pizza and soft drinks are served. We meet at the corner of Julian St. and West Main Street in Ventura (approximately 239 West Main St., for Google Maps).
For more information on Stream Team, please visit:
Monthly Beach Cleanup Recap: 2-15
About a dozen people made it out to Surfers Point to clean up on a beautiful Ventura Saturday. They collected 47 lbs. of trash in just two hours!
The next clean up will be held Saturday, March 15th at Surfers Point. The meeting place will be on the Promenade in front of the Crown Plaza Hotel. See you there!
Ocean Friendly Gardens Meeting: 2-18
The OFG committee has elected new leadership! Please welcome the following: Eric Werbalowsky - Social Media and Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Parrish-Decker - Projects/Event Coordinator, Renee Roth - Education Coordinator, and Tyrone LaFay - Co-Chair!
For more OFG updates, contact vcsrf.oceanfriendlygardens@gmail.com to receive the newsletter.
CONVERT YOR TURF! OFG Event: 2-22
Renee Roth of Rainscape Designs and member of Ventura County Ocean Friendly Gardens executive committee teamed up with Carolina Murillo of Flora Gardens for a workshop on "Convert Your Turf", to encourage saving water in your landscape and reducing runoff through the use of Ocean Friendly Gardens. The event, held February 22 in Oak View, was well attended, with ninety people from the Ojai/Ventura area, and was sponsored by Casitas Water District. Ron Merkling of Casitas Municipal Water District opened the event with information on historical rainfall data and Casitas Water District's response to the current drought. Renee Roth discussed unique qualities of the Ventura River Watershed including population and runoff as sources of pollution to our local water supplies, types of turf and how to get rid of them, benefits of collecting rainwater in your landscape with before and after pictures of three local Ocean Friendly Gardens projects, low water using/native plants, and how to read your water bill to determine how much water is going outside into your landscape. Carolina Murillo talked about qualities of various low water using plants and how to stress plants to grow deeper roots so plants conserve water.
Carolina Murillo (left) and Renee Roth (right), where Carolina is explaining qualities of low water using plants.
Ninety people attended the event, where Ron Merkling of Casitas Water talked about the drought conditions, Renee Roth was the "Voice of the Watershed" and talked about ways to remove turf to conserve water in the landscape and reduce runoff, and Carolina Murillo talked about low water using plants and how to grow plants to conserve water.
For upcoming OFG educational events similar to this one, check out the following websites:
www.watershedwisetraining.com/
http://www.cityofventura.net/water/landscape
www.watershedwisetraining.com/
http://www.cityofventura.net/water/landscape
T3- Third Thirsty Thursday Event: OFG
Fabulous February's Third Thirsty Thursday and Stokin' Surf Brewery (VCSurfrider's Amazing Community Partner) featured entertainment by the Sea Hunters: Doug Paulin & Gary Guthrie with guest percussionist, Doug Johnson. Eric Werbalowsky, Ventura Organic Garden Design and Wayne Sapp, representing VCSF's Ocean Friendly Garden Program were on hand to inform attending BrewSters about drought tolerant options for their yards, quite timely, don'tcha think?!!!
Join us on March 20 from 6-8pm, for the next T3 (Third Thirsty Thursday[the new Friday]) at Surf Brewery 4561 Market St., Ventura, 93003 with the inimitable, Frank Barajas, from 6-8p.m., sponsored by Ventura County's Chapter of Surfrider Foundation.
Sea Hunters jammin' out
OFG presenters and Surfrider volunteers having fun at our favorite locale, Surf Brewery
RAP Meeting Recap: 2-24
RAPpers discussed upcoming events including the St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 15th, 10 am). Surfrider will be walking in the parade with the Bag Monster costume, signs, and the whole shabang!
Those looking to participate should contact:
volunteercoordinator@ventura.surfrider.org.
Also, Courtney Lindberg attended to discuss the City of Ventura's efforts to collaborate with grocery stores and other businesses as the reusable bag ordinance moves forward. Surfrider will collaborate with the city to help educate both grocers and shoppers.
To stay updated with Rise Above Plastics events and news, email VenturaRAP@gmail.com and join the newsletter!