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Project Abstract The goal of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) is to acquire parcels of land in the Ventura hillsides to preserve open space, conserve natural habitat, and provide access to the public for recreation and education. The Bren group will assist the VHC in assessing the properties and choosing the parcels that are most desirable to acquire. The group will refine VHC’s acquisition strategy; create a geodatabase of parcel attributes, including habitat type, occurrences of endangered species, viewshed, and public access; and evaluate potential restoration opportunities. The group will use this information to classify parcels for the VHC’s highest priority acquisition and suggest potential restoration projects for these primary parcels. Executive Summary The foothills of the Ventura hillsides represent one of the few areas in the City of Ventura where natural open space exists. With a diversity of plant communities, varying topography, and unique hydrologic features, the hillsides present a variety of biological and physical values that include wildlife habitat, viewsheds, and passive recreation opportunities. Given these natural values as well as the high development potential of the area, the hillsides present a threatened landscape where a number of stakeholders are vying for control over its future. These stakeholders include public agencies, property owners, and the Ventura community. Each group stands to benefit from potential activities in the hillsides. Amidst this political debate, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy has emerged as a voice for public and environmental groups that seek to preserve the hillsides for the benefit of the public and the survival of native flora and fauna. As a land trust, the VHC works toward its mission of acquiring parcels in the hillsides with the future goal of enhancing and restoring native habitat, preserving the scenic viewshed, providing public access for passive recreation opportunities, and developing a public appreciation for the inherent values that the hillsides contribute to the Ventura community. Through this group project, the Bren group seeks to assist the VHC in fulfilling its mission of protecting the natural and social values of the Hillsides. The group’s main objective is to identify the optimal parcels for acquisition in approximately 18,600 acres of the hillsides. Through the collection of biological and physical data of the hillsides, the group will evaluate the parcels and create a parcel ranking scheme that identifies the top 33% of parcels with the highest priority for acquisition.
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Hillsides Group Project, 2004
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