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Press Release: The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County Celebrates 40 Years of Conservation with Landmark Achievements in 2025

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Santa Barbara County, CA – [December 22, 2025] The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is closing out its 40th year with a record of meaningful conservation impact, deepened community engagement, and strengthened stewardship across the region. Since its founding in 1985, the Land Trust has partnered with landowners, public agencies, and community members to…

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Press Release: Land Trust for Santa Barbara County Secures 587 Acres in the Solomon Hills Through New Conservation Easement at Rancho Dos Alamos

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Santa Barbara County, CA- [December 1, 2025]- The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is proud to announce the permanent conservation of Rancho Dos Alamos, a 587-acre property in the rolling Solomon Hills in the Los Alamos Valley. This newly completed conservation easement—the organization’s 62nd—marks a significant milestone in regional land protection and was made…

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Press Release: Land Trust Secures First Permanent Conservation Easement on More Mesa

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Santa Barbara County, CA – [October 11, 2025] The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, in partnership with the Office of Supervisor Laura Capps and Santa Barbara County and The More Mesa Preservation Coalition, is proud to announce the first-ever permanent conservation easement on More Mesa. The 36-acre easement, conveyed by the County, ensures permanent protection…

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Press Release: Explore. Learn. Connect. Land Trust Hosts Free Week of Outdoor Events Across Santa Barbara County

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Santa Barbara County, CA – [August 5, 2025] The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County invites the community to get outside and get inspired during its 3rd annual Discover Outside, a weeklong celebration of nature and open spaces from August 9–16, 2025. Discover Outside offers free hikes, learning opportunities, and hands-on experiences throughout the county, from…

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Press Release: Land Trust for Santa Barbara County Expands Arroyo Hondo Preserve with 80-Acre Aquisition of Steelhead Lookout—entire length of Arroyo Hondo Creek is now 100% protected

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Gaviota, CA – [May 19, 2025] The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is proud to announce the successful acquisition of Steelhead Lookout, an 80-acre property expanding the beloved Arroyo Hondo Preserve to more than 900 acres. This critical inholding—once the last unprotected property in the Arroyo Hondo watershed—was acquired on March 31, 2025 from the…

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Press Release: Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and Partners Celebrate Successful Spawning of Rescued Steelhead Trout in Arroyo Hondo Creek

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Gaviota, CA – In a groundbreaking update to an inspiring conservation effort, critically endangered Southern California steelhead trout rescued from Topanga Creek after the January 2025 Palisades Fire have successfully spawned in their new home at the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County’s Arroyo Hondo Preserve. “Life finds a way- the next generation of steelhead are…

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Press Release: Topanga Creek’s Rescued Southern California Steelhead Trout Find New Home in Arroyo Hondo Creek After Palisades Fire

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Gaviota, CA – In a significant conservation effort, over 200 critically endangered Southern California steelhead trout, rescued from Topanga Creek following the devastating Palisades Fire in January 2025, have been successfully relocated to The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County’s Arroyo Hondo Preserve. This release made possible through a partnership between The Land Trust, the California…

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Press Release: The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County Acquires Rincon Gateway Bluffs Property, Protecting a Jewel of Coastal Habitat Forever

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Carpinteria, CA – The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is proud to announce the acquisition of the Rincon Gateway, a 2.48-acre jewel of a property located at the southeastern entrance of Santa Barbara County. Nestled along the eastern edge of the Carpinteria Bluffs and adjacent to the Rincon Bluffs Preserve, this rare and ecologically…

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Press Release: Santa Barbara County’s Natural World: A $2.96 Billion Annual Driver of Economic Growth and Climate Resilience

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New report from the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and Earth Economics highlights the connection between environmental stewardship and a thriving regional economy SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, in collaboration with Earth Economics, has released a groundbreaking report quantifying the economic value of the county’s natural lands…

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In the News: The Land Trust’s Valentine to YOU!

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On Valentine’s Day, the Land Trust launched the public phase of the Gaviota Overlook campaign. Help us raise $750,000 to add 48-acres of rolling coastal grassland known as Gaviota Overlook to the Arroyo Hondo Preserve! Lance Orozco from KCLU Radio toured the property with Land Trust executive director Meredith Hendricks and staff, listen or read…

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Arroyo Hondo Preserve Reopened!

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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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The Land Fall 2021 Newsletter

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The latest edition of The Land, our twice yearly newsletter, has the latest conservation news, stories, and achievements—all made possible by people like you. This year, the Land Trust celebrated 20 years of nature preservation and community vibrancy at the Arroyo Hondo Preserve. We also conserved more land this year than in the previous decade—4,050…

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An Update on the Alisal Fire and Arroyo Hondo Preserve

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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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Watch Stories of the Land

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Experience the Land Trust’s mission in action by watching Stories of the Land. This short film explores the Land Trust’s work alongside a few of our community partners who make it all possible.

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Dog Days of Summer

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The Land Trust conserves land and natural resources forever, with lots of places you and your best friend can visit. Recently, we asked you to share photos of your favorite conservation-minded canines enjoying favorite places and you delivered! We received photos of happy-go-lucky dogs at the beach, on the trail, and enjoying their view from…

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In the News: Conserving Jalama Canyon Ranch

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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

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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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Meredith Hendricks on Money Talk Podcast

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In March, Land Trust Executive Director Meredith Hendricks joined Money Talk hosts Dianne Duva and Neil Kreisel to discuss conservation and the various tools the Land Trust uses to conserve land, help farmers and ranchers reach their land goals, as well as invest in community outdoor recreation and nature access. Listen to the episode here…

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

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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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2021 Lunch & Learn Series Online

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WHAT IS A LUNCH & LEARN? Land Trust Lunch & Learns are an annual series of fun, interactive educational experiences. Explore topics ranging from local mushrooms, botany, wildlife behavior, nature journaling, and more— all led by experts in a virtual format that allows you to participate in discussions, Q&A sessions, and get tips on how…

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The Land Trust on KZSB Radio w/ Steve Forsell

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On January 20, 2021, Executive Director Meredith Hendricks and Conservation Director Bruce Reitherman were interviewed on KZSB’s Voices of Santa Barbara radio show with Steve Forsell. They talked land conservation in Santa Barbara County, working with willing landowners for stronger communities and resilient landscapes, as well as where the Land Trust is headed in 2021…

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Year End Campaign Success— Thank YOU!

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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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THE LAND Fall 2020 Newsletter

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The 2020 Fall/Winter edition of THE LAND newsletter is out! Read about New Executive Director Meredith Hendricks, support local producers with our guide, and find out how your support is driving important land conservation projects forward.

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Rincon Bluffs Preserve Progress in the News

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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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Meet Meredith Hendricks, New Executive Director

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https://vimeo.com/473616203 The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County welcomes a new executive director with local roots, Meredith Hendricks, following an extensive nationwide search. Hendricks joins the Land Trust at a time when the organization is pushing ahead several significant conservation projects— finalizing as many as 10 conservation easements, bringing the organization’s total conserved acreage to…

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The Land Trust Nationally Recognized for Reaccreditation

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In the News: The Land Trust Nationally Recognized for Reaccreditation The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has been at the forefront of county-wide land conservation for more than 30 years, conserving nearly 30,000 acres of wild and agricultural land and building lasting partnerships with community groups and local farm and ranch families. In August,…

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Completed Conservation Easement on Lompoc Family Farm in the News

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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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Change Your Scenery with Virtual Backgrounds

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We know you are missing spending more time in all the special outdoor spaces that make Santa Barbara County feel like home. Bring the outdoors in with our virtual backgrounds for your Zoom meetings, desktop wallpaper, or iPad. All photos are courtesy of Bruce Reitherman and are for personal use only. Enjoy!       …

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Fall 2019 Newsletter

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Inside this issue: Conservation helping the climate, how the Arroyo Hondo Preserve serves Santa Barbara County’s youth, a meeting of neighboring Land Trust minds, new and outgoing faces on the staff and board, and more.

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Jordan Brothers Farms

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The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and The Trust for Public Land today protected the 780-acre Jordan property, a Lompoc Valley farm that dates to shortly after California became a state. The property will be permanently protected from future residential development by an agricultural conservation easement, the first in the agriculturally rich Lompoc Valley….

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100-Acre Big Bend Ranch Donated to Land Trust

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Big Bend Ranch

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County announced today that its nearly 24,000-acre portfolio of protected natural resources and agricultural countryside now includes the 100-acre Big Bend Ranch, donated by Judy and Jack Stapelmann. Located in the El Jaro Creek watershed southeast of Lompoc, Big Bend cradles riparian habitat, oak woodland, and leased portions in…

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Ocean Meadows Golf Club to be Restored to Wetlands

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After a four-year effort to raise $7 million in federal, state and local funds to buy the property, the Trust for Public Land acquired 63.9 acres of the Ocean Meadows Golf Club. The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, the Trust for Public Land and UC Santa Barbara will work together to restore the area…

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The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has protected beloved open spaces, vital farmland, and habitats that make our community thrive. But the future of conservation is uncertain. With national funding at risk, individual donor support has never been more important. EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS. When you give, you help ensure that our trails, wildlife, and working lands endure — not just for today, but for generations to come.

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