The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

08/19/2026

What if fire isn’t only something a landscape survives—but something it has evolved alongside?
From supporting nutrient cycling and triggering the growth of fire-following plants, to shaping biodiversity and influencing how people have stewarded landscapes for generations, fire has long been part of California’s ecological story.
Our latest story, Fire Ecology: Renewal Amidst Destruction, takes a closer look at the complex relationship between fire, landscapes, and recovery—including examples from Arroyo Hondo Preserve following the 2021 Alisal Fire.
Read the full story on our blog, The Landline: https://www.sblandtrust.org/blog/fire-ecology-renewal-amidst-destruction/

08/17/2026

Meet Marie Rolston, our Executive Support Manager! 👋
Marie brings years of experience in HR and team management, along with a knack for keeping people, projects, and conversations moving forward. Outside of work, she’s happiest paddling, camping under the stars, or serving up Cuban sandwiches through her pop-up, No Bad Days Deli.
We’re so glad to have her on the Land Trust team!

08/14/2026

Do you love trails? Come help us build one! 🥾

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is breaking ground on an expansion of the trail network at Arroyo Hondo Preserve, and volunteers are invited to help complete the new 1.1-mile Gaviota Overlook Trail.

Join us and Sage Trail Alliance for a special training and trail work day where you’ll learn the fundamentals of sustainable trail building before putting those new skills into practice.

📅 Saturday, August 22
⏰ 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
📍 Arroyo Hondo Preserve
🥪 Lunch and snacks will be provided.

No previous trail-building experience is required. Come learn something new, spend the morning outdoors, and help create a trail that visitors will enjoy for years to come.

Space is limited — apply to register today:

08/13/2026

Golden hour, eucalyptus groves, coastal views, and a good long walk. 🌅🥾
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Join us for an evening hike in Goleta on Thursday, August 20 from 5:30–7:30 PM.
We’ll wander through the eucalyptus groves of the Coronado Butterfly Preserve, continue across Ellwood Mesa, loop through North Campus Open Space, and enjoy the sunset before heading back.
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Space is limited — reserve your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1996821932152?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County on a guided evening hike through the Ellwood Mesa and North Campus Open Space!

08/11/2026

Calling all rockhounds—and rock-curious folks, too. 🪨
Join us for Let’s Talk Rocks, a geology presentation with former NASA scientist Tom Farr!
Tom brings decades of experience studying Earth’s geology and landscapes, and he’ll be joining us for an approachable, engaging look at the stories written in stone all around us.

📅 Tuesday, August 18
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 The Land Trust Headquarters, downtown Santa Barbara
🎟️ Reserve your spot: sblandtrust.org/programs-events/

Conserving Local Land — Now, and for the Future What We Do The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County conserves natural resources, agricultural land and open spaces for the benefit of present and future generations. Support Local Land Conservation We care about the 7th generation.land.trust.conservat...

08/10/2026

Half a football field—restored by hand. 🌿
Our volunteers have now cleared 0.58 acres of invasive ice plant at Dangermond Preserve, and native plants are already returning in areas worked on last year.
Thank you to everyone who has given their time, energy, and care to this ongoing project. Every workday helps make more room for native habitat to recover.
Interested in lending a hand? Explore upcoming volunteer opportunities: sblandtrust.org/get-involved/volunteers/

08/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Office Warming Celebration! 🌿
We were grateful to welcome community members, partners, supporters, staff, board members, friends, and family into our new office space for an afternoon of connection, conversation, and celebration.
This new space is more than an office — it’s a place to gather, collaborate, and continue the work of protecting and caring for the lands that make Santa Barbara County so special.
Thank you for being part of this next chapter with us. 💚

08/05/2026

Step 1: Spot the osprey.
Step 2: Find the angle.
Step 3: Get the shot. 📷🦅
A little behind-the-scenes look at Land Stewardship Manager, Kyle Kusa, photographing wildlife during a recent day at Dangermond Preserve.
A friendly reminder: please always stay on designated trails when visiting natural areas.

07/30/2026

Discover Outside, camera roll edition. 🌿📸
One week, six outdoor experiences, and so many good moments shared across Santa Barbara County.
A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us—and to the volunteers, partners, guides, and staff who helped bring the week to life. Consider this your reminder that there is always more to discover outside. 💚
Missed this year’s events? Sign up for our monthly E-Newsletter, The Lowdown, to hear about more ways to explore, volunteer, and connect with the land throughout the year: https://www.sblandtrust.org/lowdown/

07/27/2026

We’re opening our doors and celebrating our new home! 🏡🌿
Join the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County for an Office Warming Celebration on Friday, July 31, from 3:00–7:00 PM at our new office at 1332 Anacapa St., Suite 101.
Stop by anytime for catered bites, wine, conversation, and a chance to connect with fellow supporters of local conservation. Our Executive Director will also share a few special remarks at 5:30 PM.
Everyone is welcome—friends, family, partners, neighbors, and community members alike.
No RSVP required. Just stop by!