Oxnard Channels Dedication Ceremony Marks Historic Community Renaming Effort

The ceremony celebrates a successful Watershed Awareness Campaign and a historic public selection of new names for two WPD channels: Ormond Lagoon Waterway and tšumaš (Chumash) creek.
By: Ventura County Public Works Agency
 
 
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VENTURA, Calif. - Oct. 30, 2015 - PRLog -- The Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection District (WPD) and distinguished officials invite the public to a Dedication Ceremony that will take place on Saturday, November 7th in Oxnard at 10 a.m. The ceremony celebrates a successful Watershed Awareness Campaign and a historic public selection of new names for two WPD channels: Ormond Lagoon Waterway and tšumaš (Chumash) creek.

Speakers include local Chumash Tribe Barnareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, Ventura County Supervisors Kathy Long, Chair and John C. Zaragoza, City of Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem Carmen Ramirez, WPD Director Tully Clifford. The event will open with a traditional Chumash ceremony, reveal new signage for the channels, and attendees are invited to stay afterwards for a private tour of one of the channels.

Ormond Lagoon Waterway formerly known as Oxnard Industrial Drain, extends approximately four miles from Wooley Road to the outlet near Ormond Beach. The name Ormond Lagoon Waterway captures the connection between the channel and the ecological community it supports. tšumaš (Chumash) creek, formerly known as J Street Drain, extends over two miles from Redwood Street to the Ormond Beach Lagoon. The name tšumaš (Chumash) creek was selected to honor the region’s native people, culture, and language.

Matthew Vestuto, of the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians explains, “This spelling of tšumaš uses the orthography (writing system) we use today. It’s still pronounced the same. With this decision we recognize, and are grateful for, the County of Ventura and its resident’s support of our orthography and language revitalization, in general."

Both channels flow to Ormond Beach, a 1,500‐acre area comprised of agriculture, industry and wetlands, that serve as a home to more than 200 migratory bird species. The habitat is recorded as having more shorebird species than any other site in Ventura County, and has been recognized as the most important wetland restoration opportunity in Southern California.

“The Oxnard Channels renaming opportunity acknowledges a longstanding desire in the community to increase watershed awareness among the public, and to understand the connection to a unique coastal ecosystem in our county,” said Chair of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, Kathy Long.

A committee of local stakeholders, consisting of the WPD, City of Oxnard, The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Conservancy, Chumash representatives and Central Coast Alliance United for Sustainable Economy, reviewed new name suggestions that were submitted from community members and selected six new name options for each of the two WPD facilities. The public was then given a chance to vote on their favorite names, which is how the new names were selected.

“I want to thank the nearly 600 students and community members who voted on proposed names for the Oxnard channels by reaching out to us in person, online or through social media. This was a community effort that helps give residents in South Oxnard an opportunity to recognize the importance of taking care of the channels in their neighborhood,” said Ventura County Supervisor John C. Zaragoza.

The Oxnard Channels Dedication Ceremony will take place on November 7th at 10a.m. in the beach parking lot at the end of Perkins Road in Oxnard to celebrate our continued commitment to watershed awareness and the community’s dedication to stewardship of these channels.

Media Opportunity:

Who: Ventura County Public Works Agency Watershed Protection District

What: Oxnard Channels Dedication Ceremony. **Photo opportunities include: traditional Chumash ceremony, ribbon cutting of new channel signage, tour of waterway, wildlife habitat. **Interview opportunities include: local Chumash Tribe Barnareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, Ventura County Supervisors Kathy Long, Chair and John C. Zaragoza, City of Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem Carmen Ramirez, WPD Director Tully Clifford and organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Conservancy, Chumash representatives and Central Coast Alliance United for Sustainable Economy

When:  Saturday, November 7th at 10 a.m.

Where:  Beach Parking Lot at the end of Perkins Rd. in Oxnard

Why: to celebrate the community’s involvement in an opportunity to learn about the importance of the two waterways and their connection to local history, culture, and the environment.

Contact
Alicia Rock
***@consortium-media.com
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Source:Ventura County Public Works Agency
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Tags:Oxnard Channels, Watershed Protection District, Ventura County
Industry:Event
Location:Ventura - California - United States
Subject:Events
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