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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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Choose Your Own Adventure in Santa Barbara County

From the hills and valleys of North County to the salty Gaviota Coast and the orchards and beaches of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County land nourishes both wild and human communities. With plenty of places to explore, our map has a few itineraries to inspire your next road trip! *Map illustration and design by Leslie Lewis…

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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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Lunch and Learn: Become a Docent!

Docents have been an integral piece to the education program at our Arroyo Hondo Preserve, enriching the experience of those who visit. Docents are trained by regional experts to lead educational hikes for adults and school groups at this gorgeous 782-acre nature preserve. The hikes feature on the history, botany, wildlife and geology of the…

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Living History at La Purisima Ranch with Paul & Tina McEnroe

Tina and Paul McEnroe worked closely with the Land Trust in the early 2000s to complete an agricultural easement for their 1,007-acre Rancho La Purisma, located in the Purisima Hills north of Buellton. Both Paul and Tina had direct experience with land conservation and knew the importance of conserving this special place. Many things make Rancho…

Discover Outside 2023

Get excited for Summer 2023 and join the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County for two weeks of discovery, exploration, and delight!