The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County

10/08/2026

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is proud to announce the Save Naples Campaign, a once-in-a-generation effort to protect Santa Barbara Ranch, locally known as Naples, on the Gaviota Coast.

This is a rare opportunity to protect more than 1,000 acres of extraordinary coastal landscape for generations to come. Your gift will help secure Santa Barbara Ranch and make a future nature preserve possible, protecting wildlife habitat, cultural resources, working lands, and the vital connection between land and sea.

The future of this remarkable place is within reach. Your support can help make permanent protection possible. Learn more at www.SaveNaplesCampaign.org

10/06/2026

Now that we’ve entered fall, it’s time to look back on some trail cam highlights from summer at Arroyo Hondo Preserve. Stuart and Callan’s cameras have picked up no shortage of charismatic mammals, including an entire family of mountain lions! Enjoy this selection of clips from the past few months and let us know which is your favorite! 🐻🦊🦌
Not only do we want to say a massive thank you to Stuart and Callan for these clips; we also want to say a big Happy Birthday to Callan who turned 15 this week! We’re so grateful for all the work he has done to help us document and share the wildlife of Arroyo Hondo Preserve! 🎂

10/02/2026

Yogi Bear Meets Nature! 🌿
Join us on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Orcutt Community Park for a fun morning of hiking and yoga!
This event is open to all ages and welcomes participants of all hiking and yoga experience levels.
We'll begin with a gentle yoga warm-up in the park led by Jenn Gagarin, owner and instructor of Vida Yoga & Barre Studio, followed by a 1.7-mile hike along the Scout Trail at Orcutt Community Park.
Sign up now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hike-and-flow-tickets-2002172633243?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

09/25/2026

Arroyo Hondo has always been a place to gather, explore, and connect with the landscape.

Thanks to archival footage shared by UCSB Library Special Research Collections, we’re getting a rare glimpse of Arroyo Hondo in the 1920s — and comparing it with the Preserve we know today.

Nearly a century later, the canyon is still inviting people to slow down, look closer, and experience the Gaviota Coast.
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Archival footage courtesy of UCSB Library Special Research Collections, Santa Barbara & Local History Collection. UCSB Library

09/22/2026

For more than 20 years, John and Jennifer have called Arroyo Hondo Preserve home — stewarding the land, welcoming visitors, supporting volunteers, and witnessing the canyon change through the seasons. As we celebrate Arroyo Hondo’s 25th anniversary, they’re reflecting on just a few of the moments that have shaped the Preserve.

We’re grateful to John and Jennifer — and to every volunteer, donor, partner, student, visitor, and community member who has helped make Arroyo Hondo what it is today.

Celebrating 25 years with $25,000 to the future.💚 Help us celebrate: https://www.sblandtrust.org/celebrate-25-years-arroyo-hondo-preserve/

09/17/2026

🎉 Arroyo Hondo Preserve turns 25!

For 25 years, Arroyo Hondo has connected our community with one of Santa Barbara County’s most remarkable landscapes. This month, we’re celebrating that milestone by looking back at everything this special place has made possible — and helping prepare it for the next 25 years.

Through September 30th, we’re raising $25,000 to support the ongoing care, education, stewardship, and future of the Preserve.

And thanks to a generous matching gift from Hon. Louise LaMothe (Ret.), the first $5,000 donated will be matched dollar for dollar.

Donate and join our upcoming events: https://www.sblandtrust.org/celebrate-25-years-arroyo-hondo-preserve/

09/16/2026

Join us for Steelhead Stories of Arroyo Hondo Creek, a special presentation with Leslie Chan, Associate Director of Community Engagement, exploring the return of steelhead to Arroyo Hondo, the role of healthy watersheds, and what fire, flood, and recovery can teach us about these remarkable fish.

Thursday, Sept. 24 | 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Land Trust HQ, downtown Santa Barbara
🎟️ Free event — registration required

Reserve your spot at the link in the comments below!

Celebrate Creek Week! Join a special presentation about the Southern CA Steelhead trout recovery & resilience at Arroyo Hondo Preserve.

09/14/2026

The steelhead trout at Arroyo Hondo Creek share a story of resilience.
In 2025, more than 200 critically endangered Southern California steelhead trout were released into Arroyo Hondo Creek after being rescued from Topanga Creek following the Palisades Fire. Since then, they’ve continued to adapt — and even successfully spawned this spring.

Join us at our two FREE Creek Week programs to learn more! (links to sign up can be found in the comments)

09/12/2026

We’re growing our team!

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is currently recruiting for several roles across communications, conservation, education, engagement, and development:

Communications & Engagement Director
Land Conservation Manager
Education & Engagement Coordinator
Development Intern

Whether your strengths are in storytelling, protecting land, connecting people with nature, or supporting the work behind the scenes, there are several opportunities to help advance conservation across Santa Barbara County.

Know someone who might be a great fit? Share this post and help us spread the word!

Learn more about each position and how to apply at sblandtrust.org/careers.

09/11/2026

Looking for your next adventure?

From oak woodlands and wildflower-filled chaparral to sweeping coastal views, Santa Barbara County has plenty of incredible places to explore.

Our latest blog highlights 7 conserved hikes across the county and some of the wildlife, habitats, and scenery you can discover along the way.

Read the full blog and pick your next adventure:

Craving time in nature? Looking for an adventure? Whether you like sweeping grasslands, oak woodlands, or ocean views, Santa Barbara County has it all and you’re in the right place to find your next adventure (and maybe some wildlife too)! The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has been working t...