Locals fought against Calif. hillside work for years - and lost

"The Ventura Hills Nature Preserve, managed by the Ventura Land Trust, celebrated its grand opening earlier this month. The new nature preserve spans 1,645 acres, covering most of the undeveloped hillsides stretching from Grant Park, which is just north of City Hall, to the city's iconic "Two Trees," a hilltop where two eucalyptus trees sat sentinel for over a century."

"The preserve effectively protects the hillsides from downtown to midtown Ventura "in perpetuity," according to the Ventura Land Trust, which calls the protected area "the most high-profile hills in the region." The new preserve is "the result of the dedication of time, treasure, and talent by thousands of Ventura County residents, their efforts spanning decades.""

"Five miles of trails wind through coastal sage scrub habitat with views out to the Pacific Ocean. The trails can be steep, with one trail gaining 600 feet in just the first mile, although the land trust says it has "worked diligently to make the preserve as accessible as possible with the hope of providing amazing views to the broadest contingent of our community as possible.""

The Ventura Hills Nature Preserve recently opened, protecting 1,645 acres of undeveloped hillsides that form Ventura's northern boundary. The preserve stretches from Grant Park near City Hall to the iconic Two Trees hilltop and represents the culmination of decades-long efforts by thousands of residents, developers, and conservation groups. Managed by the Ventura Land Trust, the preserve features five miles of trails through coastal sage scrub habitat with Pacific Ocean views. The landscape, formerly called Mariano Rancho, contains steep trails with significant elevation gains. The hillsides have been contested for decades due to various historical uses, including oil and gas infrastructure.

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