2023 Storm Damage to Big Rock Preserve

Years of work have gone into removing invasive species from the river banks. Removal of giant reed or arundo (Arundo donax), began in October in 2015; after one year of vigorous work, more than 24 acres of this non-native plant had been removed! Because arundo removal created ample open space, dedicated volunteers and Ventura Land Trust staff planted over 1,000 native trees and shrubs to restore this threatened riparian ecosystem. Several beautiful areas of the river are accessible by trail and the public is welcome to come visit this preserve from dawn to dusk everyday. 

The Big Rock Preserve suffered extensive damage in the Thomas Fire and 90% of the 1,000 trees that had been planted were scorched. Ventura Land Trust has since planted several hundred native trees and shrubs on the property in an effort to restore the riparian habitat.

It was again damaged by the powerful winter storms of January 2023. Raging floodwaters uprooted mature trees and shrubs, scoured soil from the riverbanks, and completely changed the face of the preserve. Arundo uprooted from places upstream plowed through the river channel like a bulldozer, violently tearing native plants from the riverbed and depositing arundo rhizomes throughout the preserve.