2023 Top Accomplishments

Secured protections for Endangered Steelhead in the Santa Maria River. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld last year’s ruling, which ForestWatch won and gives Southern Steelhead a fighting chance at reaching their historic spawning grounds, deep in the San Rafael Wilderness, through water releases from Twitchell Dam.

Successfully expanded our Outdoor Connections program. Our Latino Conservation Week family campout, in collaboration with Padres Juntos Promoviendo La Educación, had a record number of attendees. Participants learned about nature, conservation efforts, and what they can do to protect our natural resources.

Filed an appeal in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to protect Pine Mountain from a controversial logging project. ForestWatch is in this until the end, and we will hold the U.S. Forest Service accountable for exploiting loopholes, disregarding public input, and threatening irreparable damage to one of our region’s last remaining mature old-growth forests.

Successfully advocated for safe passage for wildlife in Ventura. At our urging, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt a new ordinance providing safe passage for wildlife at 14 existing wildlife crossing structures.

Protected the Carrizo Plain National Monument through a legal agreement to close and remove 11 defunct oil wells. This summer, the Bureau of Land Management ordered an oil company to permanently close and remove 11 long-dormant oil wells inside the Carrizo Plain National Monument as part of a legal agreement secured by ForestWatch.

Successfully advocated for the removal of ring nets across creeks in Montecito. The ring nets led to the formation of debris dams which posed a barrier to fish and wildlife passage along the creek. Removal of the ring nets will ensure the continuation of the years-long effort to restore the natural health of our creeks.

Produced the first ever Outdoors Guide for Cuyama Valley in partnership with Cuyama Buckhorn. The guide features trails, hiking tips, scenic drives, and other recommended destinations in the remote and picturesque region of Cuyama Valley. It is available in both print and electronic formats in the ForestWatch store or at Cuyama Buckhorn.

Facilitated landowner co-existence with wildlife by creating an interactive map where landowners can learn about livestock guardian dogs and how to find a specialty breeder. One of the best ways to protect livestock from predators such as mountain lions is to have trained livestock guardian dogs on your property.

Created an Open Trails map after storm damage in early 2023 closed roads and trails in and around the Los Padres National Forest. The map can be used to determine the status of your
favorite places to go hiking, biking, horseback riding, or driving, and has been accessed more
than 40,000 times.

Partnered with Climb Out to clean up spent lead ammunition and micro-trash from the Los Padres National Forest. ForestWatch volunteers have removed more than 33,000 pounds of micro-trash from more than 50 sites in the Los Padres National Forest.

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