The Conservation Alliance and member companies Deckers Outdoor, Horny Toad, Patagonia, REI and Vapur, will partner this week with Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, to remove Arundo and plant Arroyo Willow cuttings to help make the Ventura River habitat publicly accessible.


The event will mark the first of eight nationwide Backyard Collective events in 2013, providing Conservation Alliance member companies employees with the opportunity to take action in support of the organization and to get their hands dirty for the sake of conservation.
 
Were excited to kick off our Backyard Collective season in Ventura (CA), said John Sterling, executive director for The Conservation Alliance. Weve got a great concentration of members in the area, and look forward to getting everyone out for a great day of work.

The Backyard Collective will take place March 21, 2013 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. An after party with refreshments and food, catered by Himalaya, will follow the volunteer effort. The event also features a volunteer fair at which Conservation Alliance grantees and local environmental organizations will share information on their current conservation initiatives.


The Conservancy has been working with local partners including conservation groups, our city government and social service agencies for over a year to reconnect our community to its river, said Lee Sherman, development manager, Ventura Hillsides Conservancy. The work done by volunteers participating in the Backyard Collective to restore this property will help provide our community with access to some great scenic areas for bird-watching, picnicking and trail running, all within a five minute walk of downtown Ventura.


For more information about this event, please contact coordinator Cassondra Schindler at cassondra@conservationalliance.com or 541.222.9380.