Arroyo Hondo Preserve is reopening for visitors! Click here to learn more. January storms caused extensive damage at Arroyo Hondo Preserve, including flooding, landslides, and impacts to trails, roads, parking areas, and infrastructure. Affected areas include trail corridors, creek crossings, parking areas, the main water tank, and areas near the barn. For safety reasons, Arroyo…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
GAVIOTA COAST, CA—The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has been working to purchase 48-acres of rolling hills along U.S. Route 101 State Scenic Highway and next door to the Arroyo Hondo Preserve. A Valentine to the communities of Santa Barbara County, the Land Trust is launching a public campaign to raise $750,000 needed to…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
Land Trust Treks are a free, public series of guided hikes and outdoor experiences for the community to explore scenic Santa Barbara County and to meet your local Land Trust. FIND A TREK
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
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.
5 ways you can support the Land Trust on #givingtuesday: 1. Watch and share Stories of the Land 2. Give someone a membership to the Land Trust 3. Visit a place conserved by the Land Trust 4. Shop and eat locally with our handy 2020 guide 5. Bring conservation to life…
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.
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.
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…
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,…
Ongoing violence against Black and Brown communities at systemic and individual levels of our society make it clear that there is more work to do for true liberation, equity, and safety for community members of color. Thank you to those of you who have reached out and initiated conversations with us, reminding us that our…
Whether you are an avid avian watcher or new to the world of birding, volunteer coordinator Sally Isaacson created these simple bird guides with helpful identification tips and information for various species, as well as notes specific to species found at Arroyo Hondo. American Kestrel European Starling Western Bluebird
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…
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! …
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.
The March issue of Farm & Ranch includes an article on conservation easements for farmers. Long-time Land Trust supporter Art Hibbits and Hibbits Ranch is featured—along with quotes from Land Trust Executive Director Chet Work.
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….
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…
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, Conservation Land Group, and Rancho Purisima, LLC announced today that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have formally approved the 853-acre La Purisima Conservation Bank in northern Santa Barbara County.
Check out the latest article in the Carpinteria Coastal View News regarding progress of the project. The First Phase of Franklin Trail is scheduled to open in late summer. Until then, please respect private property.
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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