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 for the first portion of this beloved 325-acre coastal bluff landscape, long recognized for its ecological value and community importance. “We are proud to work with the County and community partners to ensure permanent protection for the vital habitats of this portion of More Mesa. This easement safeguards sensitive coastal ecosystems and strengthens the ecological health of the region for generations to come,” said Meredith Hendricks, Executive Director of the Land Trust.

Located just west of Hope Ranch, More Mesa features oak woodlands, riparian habitat, and trails popular with birdwatchers, bikers, and horseback riders. While most of More Mesa remains in private hands, the Land Trust purchased a property on its northwestern edge in 1991 and later transferred it to the County. This entire county-owned portion of the property is County-designated Environmentally Sensitive Habitat. Though publicly owned for decades, this 36-acre portion is only now permanently protected through the County’s easement donation.

“These 36 acres will now be forever preserved—not just as an open space, but as a living legacy of our shared commitment to the environment, public access, and future generations,” shared Supervisor Capps. “This is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we come together to protect what matters most.”

Recent stewardship efforts by the County Flood Control District, including planting native riparian species along Atascadero Creek, highlight ongoing care for the mesa. The easement eliminates the possibility of conversion to housing, and limits future development to trails and minimal public access and park improvements. It also requires a comprehensive management plan developed in collaboration with the Land Trust. “Protecting these 36 acres of More Mesa is not only about conservation—it’s about preserving a place where people can walk, reflect, and feel connected to the land. By ensuring thoughtful, nature-based recreation, we are keeping this landscape open and restorative for our community now and into the future,” said Laurel Fisher Perez, Chair of the Land Trust Board.

The permanent conservation easement marks a major milestone in protecting More Mesa’s ecological and recreational resources and demonstrates the community’s enduring commitment to conservation.

“We appreciate the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and the County of Santa Barbara for this collaborative effort, says Dan Gira, Vice President, More Mesa Preservation Coalition. We view this as an important first step to working cooperatively with the community, the property owner, government agencies and land conservation organizations to protect all More Mesa forever.”

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About The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving natural resources, agricultural land, and open spaces throughout Santa Barbara County. Since its founding in 1985, the organization has protected over 58,000 acres of land, ensuring the preservation of the county’s diverse landscapes for future generations. For more information about The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and its conservation efforts, visit www.sblandtrust.org, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.