Tree Mitigation Grant Program
What is the County's Tree Mitigation Program?
In 1992, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors adopted the Tree Protection Regulations (Ordinance) and the Tree Protection Guidelines (Guidelines). The purpose of these regulations is to recognize the significant contributions that trees make to the County’s environment, including its aesthetic, biological, cultural, historical character, and air quality. The County of Ventura encourages responsible management of these resources through public education and recognized conservation techniques, with the goal of achieving an optimal cover of healthy trees of diverse ages and species.
The Tree Protection Regulations provide a regulatory framework for protecting specific species of trees and Heritage Trees within Ventura County. The accompanying Guidelines offer additional explanation and implementation details for certain aspects of the Ordinance including requirements for planting new trees to offset the long-term impacts of Protected Tree removal due to development activities.
To achieve the required replacement area when Protected Trees are lost or removed, the Guidelines outline several operational options, including:
Transplanting: relocating trees on or off site to preserve their integrity
Reforestation: implementing a professionally prepared plan to restore tree cover in designated areas
New Plantings: planting new trees to replace those lost or removed
Land Dedication: dedicating land in fee or through easements for the purpose of planting and preserving protected trees
Habitat Preservation: dedicating land in fee or through easements that contains protected trees or significant habitat, ensuring its preservation and protection
Financial Contributions: making financial contributions to approved agencies or entities that support the preservation, regeneration, and maintenance of protected trees and significant habitats, as well as the implementation of the above options.
These flexible options enable property owners and developers to comply with the Ordinance while also promoting the long-term health and sustainability of Ventura County’s tree canopy.
The Tree Mitigation Fund (TMF) supports the goals of the Tree Protection Regulations by providing a financial mechanism to offset the loss of protected trees, enabling the implementation of planting and other mitigation measures that help maintain the county’s tree canopy and promote environmental sustainability. The fund is used to support projects that achieve the required tree replacement, as outlined in the Guidelines, and to further the objectives of preserving, regenerating, and maintaining protected trees and significant habitat.
Since 1992, permittees have made financial contributions to mitigate the removal of Protected Trees, which are collected in a Tree Mitigation Fund trust account. The fund is used to award grants to eligible local agencies or private preservation/restoration non-profit organizations for projects that restore and preserve Protected Trees in Ventura County.
Grant Awards
The program has awarded grants to plant trees in three rounds:
First round (2014-2021): $352,013 was awarded for the planting of 2,335 Protected Trees and related habitat restoration.
Second round (2023-2028): $168,388 is being awarded across five years.
Current (third) round (2025-2030): $639,174 is awarded across four projects over five years.
How are the Tree Planting Project Chosen to be Awarded?
Local agencies and private preservation/restoration non-profit organizations applied for funding from the Tree Mitigation Fund during an open request for proposals. Applications included a detailed project description, timeline, monitoring plan, and benefits to the community. The proposed projects must include the planting of new protected Trees within unincorporated Ventura County that have qualities to maximize success of the restoration. A panel of qualified biologists and County staff review each proposed project based on selection criteria, which include the potential for successful restoration, community benefits, and alignment with the County’s tree protection goals.
Second Round Active Project
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy - Oranges to Oaks:
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) manages a restoration site along the Ventura River Preserve. Previously an orange grove, OVLC has planted 100 oak circles and 300 companion plants within the 4-acre planting site. They maintain the site by bringing in eager volunteers, interns, and staff, providing learning opportunities about the importance of restoration and native oak woodlands.
Third Round Active/Approved Projects
Friends of the Santa Clara River – Sespe Cienega Nature Trail:
The Friends of the Santa Clara River (FSCR) are restoring the native habitat along the Santa Clara River, adjacent to the Fillmore Fish Hatchery, off of State Route 126. Seventeen native trees, including oaks and sycamores, are being planted within a community-built nature trail, extending to the Sespe Cienega Ecological Reserve. The nature trail aims to teach the community the importance of having inclusive places to learn about the local environment.
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy – Monarchs and Oaks in Meiner’s Oaks:
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) is restoring a valley oak savannah at their nature preserve site in the Meiner’s Oaks area of unincorporated Ventura County. This project is located adjacent to their native plant nursery, in the heart of Ojai. Along with the mix of oak trees, native pollinator plants are being planted to attract monarch butterflies and other important pollinator species. This area is often attended by local students, volunteers, and members of the surrounding community.
Santa Monica Mountain Fund – Restoring and Enhancing a Young Woodland in Newbury Park:
The Santa Monica Mountain Fund (SAMO) has been working on restoring an area along Potrero Creek since 1995. SAMO will be installing 3,000 local native black walnut trees, which are facing a decline in population within California. This site provides opportunity for volunteering, more specifically to low-income community members. The restoration site will also provide important wildfire resilience near the nearby residential communities.
Ventura County Parks Department – Soule Park Phase II:
The Ventura County Parks Department is re-establishing an urban forest adjacent to Soule Park in Ojai by planting over 300 oaks, maples, and sycamore trees in this highly landscaped area.
Future Opportunities
The Tree Mitigation Fund has successfully supported projects that promote the long-term health and sustainability of Ventura County’s tree canopy. We expect to open a new request for tree planting proposals in Spring 2026, providing opportunities for local agencies and non-profit organizations to apply for funding.
For more information about this program, please contact Amanda Bonavida at Amanda.Bonavida@venturacounty.gov or (805) 654-2476.