Ventura River Upper Estuary Wetland Restoration at Willoughby Preserve

This project will build the capacity of the Ventura Hillside Conservancy’s volunteer restoration and wetland education program by promoting hands-on community involvement in monthly volunteer restoration activities and service learning opportunities at the Ventura River upper estuary Willoughby Preserve. Through these volunteer opportunities, in-class wetland education presentations, and river field trips for predominantly minority, low-income, and underserved “Westside Community” students — and by opening this valuable river parkway property to the public — the goal is to reconnect Ventura to a largely forgotten and previously neglected river. About 500 volunteers of all ages are expected to participate in this project, including parents, K-12 teachers, students, retirees, low-income/disadvantaged/at-risk youth, college students, Patagonia, REI and local business employees, and those interested in advancing the River Parkway.