The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has developed sites, programs and materials for teachers to help children learn of the natural and historical wonders of Santa Barbara County. The following is a list of resources developed in connection with Land Trust nature preserves.

Arroyo Hondo Preserve

The Arroyo Hondo Preserve is open on Mondays and Wednesdays for school and community tours by advance reservation only. It is an ideal setting for field trips where students can learn about riparian habitats, watersheds, food chains, Chumash and California history, geology, plants and animals.

Docents are available to lead your students throughout the Preserve, and we can customize the trip to meet the needs of your curriculum. Special projects such as landscape painting and sketching, creative writing, habitat restoration or trail maintenance can also be arranged.

Facilities at the Preserve include picnic tables, bus parking, restrooms, trails and lots of open space to explore. There is limited wheelchair accessibility.

If you would like further information or to schedule a field trip, please contact John Warner, Arroyo Hondo Preserve Manager at (805) 567-1115 or email us at arroyohondo@sblandtrust.org.

Coronado Butterfly Preserve


Monarchs: The Mystery and the Magic Curriculum Guide K-6 – To introduce students to concepts of interdependence of plants, animals and their habitat, encourages students to participate in conservation. Free to teachers. Contact the Land Trust at (805) 966-4520 or membership@sblandtrust.org to obtain a copy.

Outdoor Classroom – An outdoor classroom features log seating, interpretive displays, a native plant garden and access to the Ellwood Main Monarch Grove, where tens of thousands of Monarch butterflies come to overwinter, generally from the beginning of December through the middle of February. No charge. Click here for more information on visiting the Coronado Butterfly Preserve.

Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park

Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park Docent Program – Docent are available to lead school and community groups on educational walks through the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park. Contact the City of Carpinteria, Parks & Recreation Department at (805) 684-5405 for more information.

Sedgwick Reserve


The Sedgwick Reserve offers numerous programs for schools through their Kids in Nature program. Please contact Sedgwick Reserve at (805) 686-1941.

Note: These preserves are natural areas with hazards such as uneven trails, flowing creeks, ticks, rattlesnakes, poison oak and potential wildfires. Visitors are advised that the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County assumes no responsibility or liability for exposure to or harm from natural hazards.