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Press Release: The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County Welcomes New Director of Development, Reaches 57,304 Acres of Conservation

Santa Barbara, CA (March 20, 2024) – The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County proudly announces the appointment of Vanessa Stowers as the new Director of Development and Communications. Bringing a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the region, Stowers will lead efforts in fundraising and community engagement to further the organization’s mission…

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In the News: Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, The Nature Conservancy, and Vandenberg Space Force Base Partner to Ensure Enduring Conservation of Southern California’s Last Wild Coast

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and The Nature Conservancy have partnered with Vandenberg Space Force Base to execute a $15 million conservation easement over the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. Check out the headlines! GET THE STORIES:

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Press Release: Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, The Nature Conservancy, and Vandenberg Space Force Base Partner to Ensure Enduring Conservation of Southern California’s Last Wild Coast

SANTA BARBARA, CA—Today, the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), in partnership with Vandenberg Space Force Base, announced the execution of a $15 million conservation easement that maximizes conservation protections and secures funds critical to long term land management of the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. Located along the Gaviota Coast, the largest stretch of…

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In the News: Senator Limón Presented $500,000 in State Funds for the Gaviota Overlook

Senator Monique Limón and Assemblymember Gregg Hart presented $500,000 of state funding to the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County to support the acquisition and preservation of the Gaviota Overlook at the Arroyo Hondo Preserve! GET THE STORIES:

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Press Release: Senator Limón Presented $500,000 in State Funds for the Gaviota Overlook 

Western view of the Gaviota Coast with Arroyo Hondo Preserve in the bottom right

SANTA BARBARA, CA—Today, Senator Monique Limón, along with Assemblymember Gregg Hart, presented $500,000 in state funding to the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County to support the acquisition and preservation of the Gaviota Overlook at the Arroyo Hondo Preserve. Senator Limón secured this funding with support from Assemblymember Hart in the 2023 State Budget to…

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Press Release: Gaviota Overlook Permanently Conserved and Protected from Development

Western view of the Gaviota Coast with Arroyo Hondo Preserve in the bottom right

GAVIOTA COAST, CA—The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the $3 million fundraising campaign to purchase Gaviota Overlook. Protecting Gaviota Overlook accomplishes the first new piece of land conservation on the Gaviota Coast since the early 2000s, when the Land Trust, with a vision of preserving this…

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Press Release: Anonymous $500,000 Received for Gaviota Overlook

Western view of the Gaviota Coast with Arroyo Hondo Preserve in the bottom right

GAVIOTA COAST, CA—The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County launched a community fundraising campaign on Valentine’s Day to raise $750,000 to add 48 acres of rolling hills with views along the Gaviota shoreline to the Arroyo Hondo Preserve, expanding public access for the first time in twenty years. At the end of February, an anonymous…

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Arroyo Hondo Preserve Reopened!

After several months of recovery, repair, and regrowth, the Land Trust is pleased to reopen the Arroyo Hondo Preserve to the public on the first and third full weekends of the month. Learn more about our reopening in this recent Santa Maria Times article.  All open dates are subject to change in accordance with government…

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An Update on the Alisal Fire and Arroyo Hondo Preserve

The last two years have been full of unexpected challenges, for the Land Trust, for our state, and for the wider world. During the week of October 10th, 2021, the Alisal Fire burned more than 17,000 acres along the Gaviota Coast and the Santa Ynez Mountains in the Los Padres National Forest. Unfortunately, the Alisal…

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In the News: Farming for the Future at Jalama Canyon Ranch

“We can bring this money to the table and protect their agriculture forever, but it’s also addressing climate resilience issues and economic vitality. It’s like a triple bottom-line win,” said Meredith Hendricks, executive director of The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County in an interview with the Santa Barbara Independent about the Land Trust’s role…

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In the News: Conserving Jalama Canyon Ranch

Jalama Canyon Ranch is now protected under a conservation easement held by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County! The successful funding effort included state, local, and private entities, with the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) awarding the Land Trust a $1,782,500 grant to protect the 1,000-acre ranch in perpetuity. “When we conserve land…

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In the News: Land Trust Treks

Land Trust Treks have been a fun and successful way to meet new people and enjoy the many parks, trails, and open spaces throughout Santa Barbara County. Learn more and register for a free trek here and read about the Mother’s Day Trek in Carpinteria as reported in the Coastal View News  story on page…

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Why the Santa Barbara Independent is Calling Meredith Hendricks the Deal Maker

This Earth Day, Land Trust Executive Director Meredith Hendricks was named the Deal Maker in the Santa Barbara Independent’s cover story on eight of Santa Barbara County’s community environmental leaders… Read the full story here or below: Fresh Faces of Environmental Action for Earth Day

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Meredith Hendricks’ Ag Roots in Central Coast Farm & Ranch Magazine

Land Trust executive director Meredith Hendricks and her family’s agricultural roots are featured in an article by Kim Lamb Gregory in the latest issue of Central Coast Farm & Ranch Magazine! Shortly after becoming executive director of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County in November, Meredith Hendricks visited the graves of her ancestors, who…

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In the News: Yellow Foxtrot a Win-Win for Ag and Endangered Species

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County joined with private equity firm Homestead Capital and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a mitigation agreement that provides a clear pathway to develop vineyard on the 684-acre property, while it conserves 320-acres of prime habitat in the Purisima Hills important to many wildlife species, especially the…

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Year End Campaign Success— Thank YOU!

Thanks to the 482 people who gave to our campaign— we did it! The Land Trust is grateful for your continued support and for helping us reach our $400k year-end fundraising goal. Your generosity is funding land conservation successes in 2021.

As the end of 2020 neared, the Land Trust set a goal of $400,000 to fund our work on more than 10 conservation easements with the potential to protect up to 15,000 acres over the next eight months— and provide more space and opportunities to create the stories that connect us to the land and to each other.

These connections also inspired our recent short film, Stories of the Land, a collection of vibrant stories told by a few of the remarkable neighbors, farmers, teachers, and families we know, illustrating the powerful and diverse ways your support for the Land Trust brings conservation to life.

We couldn’t do this important work without you, thank you for your continued support and for making a difference that lasts more than a lifetime.

If you didn’t have a chance to donate to the campaign, give today— consider becoming a member or making your donation monthly. It’s not too late to support land conservation and to ensure that wild and working lands are here for you and future generations forever.

 

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Rincon Bluffs Preserve Progress in the News

On November 9, the Carpinteria City Council reviewed and voted to approve a proposal to draft a site plan for the Rincon Bluffs property. These plans are the first step towards being able to apply for a Coastal Development Permit, which is required for all new developments in Carpinteria and the coastal zone—including trails and larger-scale restoration work.

Consistent with the community’s wishes, the Rincon Bluffs vision calls for passive recreational use. Initial improvements to the preserve will include:

  • Construction of a small unpaved public parking lot
  • Building public restroom
  • 3,500 linear feet of improved trails
  • Installation of an information kiosk and donor marker
  • 2.5 acres of native plant restoration 

Once the design phase is complete—hopefully by summer 2021—we will begin the permitting process. It’s an intricate and important process, which can take a number of months and includes environmental and public review. We hope to complete the improvements outlined in the proposal by summer 2025.

Sign up for the Lowdown to receive future news on Rincon Bluffs and the other projects we are at work on.

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Nature Photography Workshop with Andreina Diaz

Virtual Presentation, Part 1 Wednesday, September 2, 12:30-1:30pm For the second year in a row, the Land Trust and Andreina Diaz of Eye See Santa Barbara are hosting a photography clinic. Andreina will present her professional tips and tricks for taking quality landscape photos in the great outdoors. Learn how to compose and capture vivid…

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Completed Conservation Easement on Lompoc Family Farm in the News

In early April, the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County purchased a 118-acre conservation easement near Lompoc from the Bob Campbell family, protecting critical habitat for federally endangered California tiger salamanders. California Department of Fish and Wildlife earmarked nearly $2 million in state conservation funding for the acquisition. The easement is a legal agreement between…

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Fall 2019 County Tour

On Friday, August 23rd, Land Trust Conservation Circle members enjoyed a tour of special properties around Carpinteria. We stopped first above the debris basin and orchards at Rancho Monte Alegre to learn about how agriculture and open space can act as a crucial buffer to protect residential areas from mudslides and fires. Other stops included…

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OAK Group Selects Land Trust as Beneficiary

OAK Group Selects Land Trust to Benefit from Exhibit: Icons of Preservation, 2019    For over thirty years, the OAK GROUP artists have contributed to the conservation of local lands for wildlife, recreation, ranching, and farming by donating a portion of the art sales to the conservation of those lands. They express the beauty of…

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Spring 2019 Newsletter

Inside this issue: anticipating the Strategic Plan, a tribute to two special women, a fresh face on the Board of Trustees, and a new conservation easement at Betteravia Farms! Check out the Spring newsletter to stay current with the Land Trust.

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A Very Different Walk on More Mesa

On September 29, the Land Trust hosted a full moon hike on More Mesa with local naturalist and biologist Ted Mullen. Below, is the write up by More Mesa Preservation Coalition President, Valerie Olson. Continuing with our “Walk on More Mesa” theme, a very different kind of walk presented itself in late September. Jennifer Stroh…

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The Land: Spring Newsletter

Check out our Spring Newsletter for all the news, including “The Protective Power of Conserved Land” and “Fire in the Chaparral”, both addressing the impact of the recent Thomas Fire.

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Land Trust Achieves 10-year Record

Land Trust Conserves 2 More Properties at the End of 2017 Achieving a 10-year Record SANTA BARBARA, CA – Another record-breaking year is in the books at the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. With two conservation easements completed in the last days of December, the Land Trust pushed their 2017 conservation total to 1,664…

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Record-breaking Year for the Land Trust

The Land Trust completed five conservation easements in 2017—two concluded in the last days of December! 2017 conservation acreage total: 1,664 acres. The Land Trust’s lifetime conservation is now more than 27,000 acres.

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The Land: Fall Newsletter

Check out our Fall Newsletter for all the news, including “Dispatches from the Field” with our Conservation Manager, Graham Wesolowski, new Hot Springs Trail signage, and 88 acres protected in Toro Canyon.

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Bluffs III fundraising wraps ahead of schedule

Undeveloped coastal properties rank among the most valuable commodities in California, and protecting them is a battle often lost. Carpinterians, however, have triumphed not once but twice, as this week the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County announced the completion of its $7.9 million campaign to preserve the 21-acre Bluffs III property on the east end of Carpinteria Avenue.

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Carpinteria Bluffs Permanently Preserved

Raising $6.9 million, the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is now the proud owner of 21 acres of open space on the Carpinteria Bluffs, a piece of oceanfront land that, over the years, investors have pushed to develop into a destination resort ​— ​only to be rebuffed by a conservation-minded community willing to back up sentiment with lots of cash.

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Carpinteria Bluffs III awarded $144K CREF grant

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $144,750 Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF) grant to the City of Carpinteria towards the acquisition of the Carpinteria Bluffs III property on June 20. The grant brings Bluffs III fundraising very close to its $7.9 million goal to acquire and restore the 21-acre bluff top…

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Our Coastline, OAK Group Exhibit

Moonrise, Carpinteria Beach, Thomas Van Stein -- SOLD

Circling back to their original benefit show decades ago, The Oak Group once again contributes to saving more of the Carpinteria bluffs with a benefit art exhibit, “Coastline,” which is online through April 30, 2017. Guest artists Kevin Gleason, Kaaren Robertson, Nicole Strasburg, and John Wullbrandt contribute their work along with members of The Oak…

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State Grant Nearly Completes Bluffs III Fundraising

Bluffs III recently received a $450,000 windfall from the California Transportation Commission in the form of an Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program grant. The grant nearly completes fundraising for the 21-acre bluff top property located on the east end of Carpinteria, a project overseen by the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. “We are very…

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Land Trust Moves Closer to Paying Off Carp Bluffs

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has moved $450,000 closer to paying off its purchase of 21 undeveloped oceanfront acres in Carpinteria that had long been eyeballed by hotel and resort developers. With a $3 million down payment last June, the Land Trust picked up the Carp Bluffs III property, located just east of…

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Carp Bluffs III

  We can save one more stretch of open coastline in Carpinteria! Now through December 31, 2016, your donation of $10 or more will be matched by $100! Click here to learn more and donate now! Click here for press release distributed June 15, 2016. For more than 50 years, the residents of the South Coast have…

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Land Trust Newsletter Fall 2016

Get the latest copy of our Newsletter, The Land. Want to receive a hard copy? Contact Jennifer Stroh, Membership Coordinator, about becoming a member or renewing your membership.      

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Lines Cast at Fifth Annual No-Motor Sportfishing Tournament Saturday, Nov. 7

Sportfishing Conservancy

The Sportfishing Conservancy along with the Carpinteria and Santa Barbara sportfishing clubs will kick off the fifth annual no-motor fishing contest from Danny’s Deli in Carpinteria beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. The idea behind the no-motor rule is two-fold: first is to have some fun while demonstrating the light touch of responsible sportfishing — the tournament…