A member of the Chumash community enlightened me a number of years ago by observing it is time to give back to the land rather than to take and exploit.
The Gaviota Coast Conservancy has been doing that for the past 25 years. We have stopped inappropriate development, encouraged numerous conservation easements, actively participated in the creation of the County's Gaviota Coast Plan, spearheaded the realization of the California Coastal Trail with several allied organizations, developed a grant program to assist ranchers and farmers implement regenerative agricultural practices and occasionally, as a last resort, sued the County government and landowners for failure to adhere to local and state land-use regulations.
No inappropriate development has occurred during our tenure. The landscape is still a mosaic of ranching and wild open space. The Naples development of 72 homes is unrealized. And the coast has become freed from the development schemes of hedge funds and development companies. The end of Southern California still resembles its natural state.
Take less, give more!
I have been on the Board of Gaviota Coast Conservancy for over a decade. They are the group most responsible for preserving the Gaviota Coast and limiting the urban expansion in Santa Barbara. They are an extremely efficient organization working with landowners and government agencies to preserve the rural character of the Gaviota Coast. Board members serve without compensation. If you are interested in preserving open space please consider donating to this group.
Steve Forsell
I moved to Santa Barbara for school at UCSB, where I found myself finding a unique piece of an undeveloped stretch of Southern California. I was amazed by the pure nature of the coastal grasslands, endless ocean, and fantastic mountain ranges. Since finding this unique piece of coastal land, I have found myself trying to preserve the Gaviota with the help of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy. A grassroots organization dedicated to maintaining the Gaviota to its most authentic natural origin. The Gaviota Coast Conservancy has kept the Gaviota undeveloped from coastal housing; I appreciate all the hard work and hours GCC has put into preserving this unique piece of land. Thank you !
As an avid hiker when I moved to the Santa Barbara area I knew there would be lots of beautiful views and trails waiting to be explored. I was only able to discover these hidden gems due to the information provided by the Gaviota Coast Conservancy website and other forms of social media. I found the best way to stay updated on community events was through their Instagram page. I was able to meet and connect with new people from all over the area that share the same interests as me through the events hosted by GCC.
Environmental conservation has been an interest of mine for several years and I follow GCC very closely. One thing that really stands out to me is that the GCC have stoped development of homes in order to maintain and preserve the public beaches and surfing access areas.
Even though I have moved out of Santa Barbara I will continue to visit the area throughout the years to come and explore more of the beautiful trails and beaches maintained by GCC. I will continue my support for GCC because I strongly believe in their mission and the overall environmental conservation aspect. GCC have only had positive impacts on the community and ecosystems around the coast that often go unseen or are often neglected.
Thank you to everyone involved in GCC and please continue your great work to maintain the "last great coast"!
I lived in Santa Barbara for 3 years while completing my undergrad and at times found isla vista and the downtown area to be a bit mundane. Eventually I discovered the Gaviota Coast Conservancy and they provided me the tools to be able to discover some of the amazing things the area had to offer. Their website provided me with information that led me on beautiful hikes with my friends to both popular and unpopular trails along the coast. I was also able to stay updated on events that were happening in the community and on the land around me. Discovering the conservancy allowed me to feel like i was involved with something in the area that wasn't just connected to the university I went to but also to the long-standing community that surrounded it.
Additionally, GGC's website and social media presence allowed me to be consistently connected and informed on the environmental happenings around me because of how easily accessible all of the information was.
I have since moved out of the SB area but I will continue to follow GCC in their endeavors to preserve the coast!
Thank you to those that continue to help preserve the beautiful Gaviota coast!
September 22, 2022
I’ve explored and loved the Gaviota coast since college days in the late 1960’s, but in recent years the GCC has helped me to see it in a whole new way.
I’ve learned how rich the canyons and hills above the beaches are, with plants and animal life I had never imagined, and how the coastal waters just offshore are teeming with life I’d never seen.
Being a part of the GCC conservation and education efforts has helped me to realize a deeper connection to this place, and not just for my own enjoyment but for the generations ahead who will also walk these beaches. I’m grateful for the chance to help others learn what a treasure we have at our doorstep, and to preserve it for now and the future.
Bill Zeldis
When I came to Santa Barbara 47 years ago there was a building moratorium. And I thought this place knew how to preserve its resources and pristine land. However, as time went by things changed and building went crazy I guess under different criteria. I was seriously concerned that the magnificent and sacred Gaviota coast was going to be the continuation of this sprawling urbanization.
Since I was too young to do anything about my rural home town that was turning into a suburban landscape, I thought that maybe as an adult here in Santa Barbara I could help in my small way in preserving the Gaviota coast. That was when I joined the Gaviota Coast Conservancy (GCC) and found out just how much they had done then, and are still doing today to preserve this precious landscape of pure nature and just how significant they are to California and the coast.
They have worked countless hours and years fighting to keep this land as is with a powerhouse of volunteers and professionals that have withstood some of the toughest prospective buyers. Their efforts have been successful with many challenges and are still being challenged today.
My contribution through the years has been by selling my paintings where a portion of the proceeds were given to GCC through SCAPE. And I have also given my graphic art services for many years.
GCC presence is so much more important than we realize, but do visit their website to see just how much has been preserved by their efforts and make a donation in any way you can to the this significant organization, the Gaviota Coast Conservancy.
With the support of us all as stewards to this land we need to keep the Gaviota coast an everlasting jewel for generations to come.
Cheryl Fontana
When I first moved to the area, I discovered the wildlife and uniqueness of the Gaviota Coast and immediately drawn to protect it. Through a GCC film event and field trips, I was able to learn about the past history, the ecosystem, herbs, soil preservation, Regenerative farming and the cultural roots of the land. I started to volunteer with the GCC and continue to explore and photograph.
I am grateful that GCC has worked for decades to collaborate with the community, landowners and others to help preserve this land and educate others about Gaviota Coast deep roots and cultural history. The dedicated people and volunteers at Gaviota Coast Conservancy have contributed their time and experience so that we all can enjoy this area and protect our environment.