VENTURA, Calif. — After nearly two decades of community effort, more than 1,600 acres of Ventura’s scenic hillsides are now permanently protected.
The newly established Ventura Hills Nature Preserve sits above the city, preserving ridgelines, wildlife habitat, and sweeping coastal views long considered central to Ventura’s identity.
“This land was slated for development for our homes,” said Melissa Baffa, Executive Director of the Ventura Land Trust. “A couple of different attempts were made. The community really banded together to push back on those development proposals. And our organization was able to acquire the land.”…