February 2021 Newsletter - Visit www.vcrcd.org for more information!

NEW! FREE Wildfire Prevention Workshops  & Virtual Speaker Series.

Ventura RCD is offering FREE wildfire prevention educational workshops and virtual speaker series throughout 2021 and 2022. Both events will be hosted by the RCD and include a variety of wildfire experts and personnel, presentations will educate about wildfire prevention, ecology, restoration, recovery funding opportunities, insurance, and other actions to take during and after wildfire season. Don’t miss this FREE opportunity to better prepare. Workshops will occur in small groups at the RCD's Fire prevention demonstration garden, hosted by the RCD.

Contact andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com or (805) 764-5135 for more information.

DEADLINE EXTENDED! If you're farming in the lower Calleguas Creek Watershed and need help with irrigation, nutrient, and sediment management, VCRCD can cover 60-90% of the cost! Applications are still being accepted! To download an application, click HERE o AQUI. Questions? Visit the CCWAMMP webpage or contact Jamie Whiteford at jamiewhiteford.vcrcd@gmail.com or 805-764-5132.

DEADLINE EXTENDED! The deadline to submit applications for IIMRLN (Interactive Irrigation Management to Reduce the Leaching of Nitrogen) has been extended! Get FREE irrigation and fertilizer recommendations and FREE nutrient management plans! For an application, click HERE o AQUI. To visit the IIMRLN webpage, click HERE. Questions? Contact Jamie Whiteford at 805-764-5132 or jamiewhiteford.vcrcd@gmail.com.

Do you LIVE FOR MONARCH BUTTERFLIES? The RCD does, so come join us and help save the dwindling population! We have upcoming opportunities to get involved with on the ground restoration NEXT MONTH, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! If you are interested in spending some time outdoors, getting your hands dirty, learning a thing or two, socially distant of course, and want to make an impact on your community visit this online survey or contact the Resource Conservation Specialist Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com to sign-up and become a VCRCD Eco Warrior!

Be a part of a community effort! VCRCD is hosting a volunteer lemon counting day on March 20th as we work to study the climate benefits of compost and mulch applications on citrus trees! Volunteer with us in Santa Paula and be a part of a program that can assist in the establishment of healthy perennial orchard systems in Ventura County! Help us lay the groundwork for long-term sustainability, and read more about the project below as well as on the study webpage.

Contact Jamie Whiteford for more information and to sign up: jamiewhiteford.vcrcd@gmail.com

VCRCD is conducting a pilot tree removal and replacement program to battle the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) in the Ojai Valley, which is a vector for Huanglongbing, a devastating disease of citrus trees. This bacterial disease is transmitted to healthy trees by the psyllid after it feeds on infected plant tissue. VCRCD is committed to reducing the threat to our local citrus industry through a residential-based program. Learn more here: vcrcd.org/acp. Sign-up to have your citrus tree removed and replaced here: Sign-up form.

For additional questions, please reach out to the Resource Conservation Specialist Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com.

REMINDER! Wildfire Recovery Funding Available!

VCRCD is looking for landowners impacted by the 2018 (including Thomas Fire), 2019, and 2020 wildfires. If your property was burned during one of these wildfires and has resulted in environmental degradation, please visit this announcement *Clickable Link* and contact the Resource Conservation Specialist Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com. We have funding to assist with landscape restoration efforts.

VCRCD, along with our partners, produced a video to highlight a compost and mulch study VCRCD is conducting. The study is funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) through the California Climate Investments Program. If you'd like to check out the video, please click HERE. For more information about the study, please go to the study webpage HERE.

The VCRCD is always looking for enthusiastic and passionate volunteers to join our team and assist in our wide-range of projects. Most notably the new fire-wise garden and Monarch butterfly restorations, we'd love some extra hands! Please sign-up here if you are interested in volunteering and becoming an Eco Warrior!

Please consider donating to VCRCD! Your tax deductible donation will be greatly appreciated! Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for our easy donation link. You can also donate via Amazon! We can accept donations through AmazonSmile under Fund for Resource Conservation. Be sure to shop via the link smile.amazon.com to make a donation.

Ventura River Watershed Council

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 1, 2021, from 6 pm - 830 pm, and will discuss the Matilija Dam Removal.

Agendas and zoom links will be sent out one week prior to the meetings, please contact Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com to be added to those announcements.

The next MRAC ( vcrcd.org/mrac) meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 29th, 2021, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

Agendas and zoom links will be sent out one week prior to the meetings, please contact Andy Spyrka at andyspyrka.vcrcd@gmail.com to be added to these announcements.

VCRCD Board of Directors' Meeting

The next meeting will occur on February 17th, 2021. Currently, meetings are held remotely. Agendas and the website will provide information on accessing the meetings via an application or on your telephone. Check www.vcrcd.org for more information.

Did you know VCRCD operates on grants and donations? Supporting VCRCD means supporting your local community and helping conserve soil, water, and wildlife.