For 20 years, Los Padres ForestWatch has stood strong against those who sought to harm our public lands. With the dedication of our generous supporters, we’ve achieved some remarkable victories this year.
1. Permanently protected 68 acres of mixed conifer forest and wildlife habitat along Tecuya Ridge from logging and development.
2. Cleaned up more than 900 lbs. of lead ammunition and over 500 lbs. of plastic across seven different derelict target shooting sites in Ventura County.
3. Launched twelve unique campaigns through our online advocacy platform and generated more than 10,000 emails to decision-makers urging them to protect our region’s public lands.
4. Secured passage of the Room to Roam Act which ensures a harmonious balance between the environment and human development and promotes co-existence with wildlife.
5. Celebrated the cancellation of a plan to drill and frack eight new oil wells in the Los Padres National Forest after a decade of focused opposition.
6. Worked with local governments to hold the oil and gas industry accountable and implement proactive measures that empower residents and better protect communities.
7. Created and published GIS Story Maps ranging in topics from the geology of our regions, to protecting wildlife corridors, to logging and clearing on Tecuya Ridge.
8. Expanded access to our public lands by reaching out to hundreds of underrepresented youth and families through our Outdoor Connections program.
9. Provided educational and career growth to four interns from UCSB, one law student, and two Community Leadership Fellows through the California Youth Leadership Corps.
10. Hosted and participated in numerous community events including 4 webinars, 12 educational presentations, and 3 nature-themed trivia nights.
11. Successfully advocated for legislation to protect drinking water and groundwater from toxic contamination from the oil industry.
12. Spearheaded and won a legal challenge to protect endangered steelhead trout, a keystone species in the San Luis Obispo region, in Arroyo Grande Creek.
13. Led 3 native plant hikes, 2 fire ecology hikes with local elected official staff, a botany nature tour, a snowshoe hike at Mt. Pinos, a member hike on Pine Mountain, and a night hike for Latino Conservation week.
14. In collaboration with partner groups, we added our voice to 60 letters to local, state, and federal government officials and agencies urging strong protections for parks, forests, wildlife, and outdoor recreation.
We accomplished these feats by not only serving as an independent watchdog organization committed to protecting our region’s public lands, but by being one of the region’s leading conservation forces. And this work won’t stop. Together, we’ll ensure that places like Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument remain protected for their own sake and generations to come.
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