A Light in the Ojai

I have heard it described as a Chumash word meaning "the Nest". I have also heard that it means "a protected place", the "nurturing place", and simply "the place". Those in the 'know' understand that what Ojai really means is "the Moon". All names seem appropriate, but the Moon is probably correct. For those of you who don’t know who the Chumash are, they are the Native Americans that occupied the coast and near coastal area of the that part of California from about San Luis Obispo to about Malibu for most of the last 10,000 years. They were a colorful people, much of whose language and legends persist today. Attracted by the rich soils, flowing streams, and natural beauty, people have settled here for millennia. For the late twentieth Century crowd, it doesn't seem to matter much what "Ojai" means. The people who live here have their own individual since of the Ojai, and therein lies the tragedy, a tragedy because, if I can borrow from Dr. Garret Hardin, we have negatively impacted the 'Common's'.

Ojai has attracted an eclectic crowd that, in combination, represents or has spawned no less than sixteen foundations, twelve religious orders or institutions, nine private schools, and three outspoken conservation groups dedicated to trying to keep it all together and unchanged, think unspoiled.

For myself, I have lived here over 40 years, the only home that I ever bought, will ever buy, and still trying to fix the leak in the kitchen. One of the better groups that are trying to "save" the Ojai is the Ojai Land Conservancy. Not just because I am a member of this distinguished group, but also because they are dedicated to preserving open space for all to enjoy. The Conservancy, as it is called, relies upon monetary donations and especially lands, finds grants, and enlists volunteers to maintain and restore open space throughout the valley. With the city and county, not to mention the various federal laws, restricting, obfuscating, and generally standing in the way, these dedicated professionals, and volunteers attempt the impossible, and generally carry it off! Let me give you an example of the city's influence. Mind you, I consider this a negative, ignorant, application of political influence. We have these "laws" regulating our trees. This is good. But look how it is manifested. You cannot cut a tree down of a certain dimension. This too is good, but if an Oak falls there is no requirement to replace it, and this is applied to all trees. Ignorantly, we protect Peruvian Peppers, Eucalyptus, and Pines as well. These are horticultural exotics that alter the soil and the valley in insidious ways. They preclude native plant propagation and recruitment. As the beautiful oaks become senescent and fall, they are seldom replaced. So, given time, and I mean a long time-----Oaks can live several hundred years--the Oaks will be gone and in place will be these foreign jobs, that alter the valley in irredeemable ways. I have an oak in my front yard that is possibly 300 to 400 years old. Now if you put that in context, this oak was probably a hundred years old when Jefferson was writing our constitution! Now I find that fantastic.