Ojai Tree Planting Project

Hi, we’re the Green Valley Project Youth Council, a youth-led group based in Ojai. Our goal is to plant native trees and reduce heat distribution in our community by creating more shade. We’re passionate about wildfire prevention, restoring ecosystems, supporting mental health, and uplifting the local population. We believe that small actions can have a big impact, and you can make a difference too! Join us at our upcoming community events this Fall and help support the local environment by planting with us.

Progress So Far

Last spring, our group worked to better understand and address heat islands in Ojai. We began by creating a map of Ojai that highlighted major heat islands and identified areas that absorb and retain more heat than others. After identifying these hotspots, we selected several potential locations where planting trees could help reduce heat in the community.

Next, we visited these hotspot locations in person to observe the areas and take photos. During these site visits, we evaluated each location to determine where tree planting would be possible and most effective.

We then presented our findings, including our heat island map, site photos, and proposed tree planting locations, to the Ojai City Council and Ojai Trees. This work helped lay the foundation for three community tree-planting events planned for Fall 2026. Through these events, we will plant trees in areas identified by the project, and The CREW will maintain and water the trees until they are established.

This fall, our group has continued building on the work we began last spring. We designed and planted a native plant garden at Help of Ojai, first removing some decorative plants and then creating a welcoming space that supports local pollinators and native wildlife.

What’s Next?

This fall, we are partnering with Ojai Trees and the City of Ojai Public Works Department to bring our tree-planting project to life. Our group is currently canvassing neighborhoods to let residents know that we will be planting trees in the public medians in front of their homes. Through these partnerships and community outreach efforts, we are preparing to plant trees in areas identified through our heat island research, helping increase Ojai’s tree canopy and create more shaded, climate-resilient neighborhoods.

We will be hosting community tree-planting events in Ojai on October 18, October 25, and November 1. Teens from our Youth Council will help plant trees and take leadership roles during each event, putting the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout the project into action.

Interested in volunteering? Email tara@thecrew.org to receive volunteer updates and information about joining one of our upcoming tree-planting events!