Fire Protection Projects

The C.R.E.W. provides weed and brush clearance and fire abatement projects on public and private properties. Recent projects have included:

• Open space preserves for the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
• Ojai Valley Trail for Ventura County Parks Department
• Weed abatement for the Ojai Valley Sanitary District
• Brush clearance for Help of Ojai West Campus
• Wildfire prevention in Matilija Canyon and at Thacher School campus for the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council
• Household fire clearance for low-income seniors and disabled citizens

Click here for information about our free chipping service for the Ojai Valley!

Habitat Restoration 

With partners Pax Environmental and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, The C.R.E.W. has been working to restore and replenish the native ecosystem along San Antonio Creek in Camp Comfort. To date, this project has resulted in more than 1,400 native plants, trees, and cuttings planted to improve habitat for endangered species such as the Steelhead trout, the Red-legged frog, and the Southwestern pond turtle. These improvements will help the stream flow, improve water quality, and reduce fire danger, making this a healthier place for wildlife and the community to enjoy. This project was funded by the Southern California Wetlands Restoration project. 

The C.R.E.W. is also partnering with the Ventura Land Trust and to improve the Ventura River Estuary by removing invasive species and cleaning up trails and improving the environment in an ecologically sensitive area. This project is made possible thanks to a generous grant from Patagonia.

Trail Maintenance and Spikeouts

The CREW continues to provide trail construction and repair services for agencies such as the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, the U. S. Forest Service, and private trails. Back country work can require crews to hike or mule pack to the site and camp while working aka “spikeouts”.