“I can’t do much on my own. Everyone coming together for this is really necessary.” Pop singer Colbie Caillat smiled passionately during an interview at the Ventura Hillsides Music Festival on Saturday, September 26.

Growing up in Ventura County and seeing it urbanized over the years has lead Caillat to strongly support the preservation of Ventura’s beautiful rivers and hills; as well as supporting the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy.

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy is a nonprofit organization working to protect the Ventura Hillsides and the Ventura River.

Much of the open space in Ventura is polluted, in danger of being developed, or strictly private property; preventing citizens from being able to simply enjoy the beautiful land located right in their backyards.

One location the Conservancy is working to make public is Two Trees, well-known to citizens of Ventura. Hiking to Two Trees is, in fact, illegal. The land is private property, owned by four family trusts. VHC is working with these families in order to make it legal.

 “We’re kind of in the middle, trying to work between the landowners, who are frustrated by that, and then also going to the people of the city. We want to get out there and explain to them that you’re trespassing and we agree that we’d love to be able to get up there too, but we got to do this legally, and we’ve all got to work as a team to make it happen,” clarified VHC Executive Director Matthew Sayles.

The Ventura Hillsides Music Festival is a benefit concert held by the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy to fund and support their mission. Various artists performed at the festival. Caillat and the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Emmylou Harris headlined the show, with new ensemble WPA and the Gin Blossoms opening.

“The Hillsides Festival is a representation of the people of Ventura who really care about the environment and will essentially have a “sit-in” to show their appreciation for the beautiful nature we have in our community and how thankful they are that it is preserved, so that people are able to enjoy how unique it is,” said sophomore Stephen Mariani, one of several Foothill students who attended the event.

Caillat expressed how she felt about the conservancy efforts in an interview which took place after her performance.

“I just think if we overpopulate every town…the reason why we live here is because it’s open, and we have rolling hills and open space, and we can’t let everyone just come here and build on it. I want to be a part of keeping the space here, and I’m also from here. So I’m glad that they’re actually doing something!”

Caillat hopes to positively impact her young audience by performing at a benefit such as this. “The kids, if they get to come to my show and if they hear me talking about it, and they hear their parents talking about it, it makes them more inclined to know that young people are also thinking the same thing, wanting to preserve this as well, not just their parents, you know. It benefits everyone.”               

“It’s a good way for the community to get together and conserve the nature part of Ventura. I’m having a great time! She [Colbie Caillat] is one of my favorite artists,” giggled Foothill student Bethany Fankhauser. Fankhauser served as a volunteer for the event. Not only was she able to see the performances, she also received eight community service hours.

Getting involved is greatly encouraged by the organization. “The most engaged youth we have are getting involved in volunteering, getting involved in our river cleanup, our park cleanups. The youth is what primes our future,” said VHC Coordinator Lee Sherman.

Community service hours can be earned through the various opportunities offered by VHC. “We’re getting them excited, getting them involved, and making this a part of their lives for generations to come,” Sherman explained.

Though no information has yet been released regarding the 2011 Ventura Hillsides Music Festival, it is sure to be just as exciting as this year. To learn more about the organization and its various events and volunteer opportunities, please visit the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy.