Los Padres ForestWatch
@forestwatch.org
Protecting wild places and wildlife throughout California's central coast region, including Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument. Learn more about our work at forestwatch.org
December 2 is a big day for our forests. The Senate will review the Roadless Conservation Area Act—while the Trump administration pushes to undo decades of protections.
💬 Tell Senator Padilla you support S. 2042: forestwatch.org/roadless/
💬 Tell Senator Padilla you support S. 2042: forestwatch.org/roadless/
Protecting the Roadless Rule - Los Padres ForestWatch
Los Padres National Forest has 635,000 acres of inventoried roadless areas that are currently under threat.
forestwatch.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
December 2 is a big day for our forests. The Senate will review the Roadless Conservation Area Act—while the Trump administration pushes to undo decades of protections.
💬 Tell Senator Padilla you support S. 2042: forestwatch.org/roadless/
💬 Tell Senator Padilla you support S. 2042: forestwatch.org/roadless/
If “wine-tasting weekend” had a hometown, it might be Los Olivos. 🍷 4 downtown wineries are part of the Wine for Wilderness Passport, featuring sustainable, land-connected wines. Get a complimentary glass at 24 Central Coast wineries for just $75 (a $650 value).
👉🏽 forestwatch.org/passport
👉🏽 forestwatch.org/passport
November 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
If “wine-tasting weekend” had a hometown, it might be Los Olivos. 🍷 4 downtown wineries are part of the Wine for Wilderness Passport, featuring sustainable, land-connected wines. Get a complimentary glass at 24 Central Coast wineries for just $75 (a $650 value).
👉🏽 forestwatch.org/passport
👉🏽 forestwatch.org/passport
Meet Carlo Calderon, our new Wildlife Program Coordinator! 💚A UCSB Environmental Science grad and longtime habitat restorer, Carlo brings his passion for native plants, bugs, and wildlife to ForestWatch, where he now leads our Room to Roam program. 🌿
November 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Meet Carlo Calderon, our new Wildlife Program Coordinator! 💚A UCSB Environmental Science grad and longtime habitat restorer, Carlo brings his passion for native plants, bugs, and wildlife to ForestWatch, where he now leads our Room to Roam program. 🌿
The Admin wants to expand livestock grazing into more than 290,000 acres of closed allotments in Los Padres. The VGPRA offers a fair path forward by compensating ranchers who choose to retire unsustainable permits, allowing these lands to recover. 👉 Act Now: forestwatch.org/act-now-support-vgpra
Help Protect Native Habitat and Support Ranchers! - Los Padres ForestWatch
ForestWatch is registered as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board. ForestWatch is also registered with the California Attorney General Office’s Registry of Public Charities. Our federal tax ID is 20-1531390.
forestwatch.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The Admin wants to expand livestock grazing into more than 290,000 acres of closed allotments in Los Padres. The VGPRA offers a fair path forward by compensating ranchers who choose to retire unsustainable permits, allowing these lands to recover. 👉 Act Now: forestwatch.org/act-now-support-vgpra
Join us on Nov 20 at 7pm for a free webinar with Cougar Conservancy’s Korinna Domingo—wildlife biologist + mountain lion advocate--to learn about Co-Existing with Cougars. 🐾
👉🏽 Register: https://ow.ly/3QUy50XtGNn
📷: Jason Klassi
👉🏽 Register: https://ow.ly/3QUy50XtGNn
📷: Jason Klassi
Co-Existing with Cougars Webinar - Los Padres ForestWatch
Join Los Padres ForestWatch and the Cougar Conservancy for an engaging conversation on how communities can safely coexist with mountain lions—also known as cougars—across the Central and Southern California coast.
ow.ly
November 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Join us on Nov 20 at 7pm for a free webinar with Cougar Conservancy’s Korinna Domingo—wildlife biologist + mountain lion advocate--to learn about Co-Existing with Cougars. 🐾
👉🏽 Register: https://ow.ly/3QUy50XtGNn
📷: Jason Klassi
👉🏽 Register: https://ow.ly/3QUy50XtGNn
📷: Jason Klassi
November is Native American Heritage Month. As part of our Native Voices series, we’re featuring Tanya Nunez of the Chickasaw Nation who shares what this month means to her, the cultural practices she carries, and how non-Native people can be better allies.
Read more: forestwatch.org/native-voices
Read more: forestwatch.org/native-voices
November 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
November is Native American Heritage Month. As part of our Native Voices series, we’re featuring Tanya Nunez of the Chickasaw Nation who shares what this month means to her, the cultural practices she carries, and how non-Native people can be better allies.
Read more: forestwatch.org/native-voices
Read more: forestwatch.org/native-voices
Happy National Take a Hike Day! 🥾 From oak galls to bear scat to a quick microtrash cleanup, our recent Fall Colors Hike was a reminder of why these places are worth protecting.
With today’s much-needed rain, remember to check trail conditions before heading out. 🌧️🌱
With today’s much-needed rain, remember to check trail conditions before heading out. 🌧️🌱
November 17, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Happy National Take a Hike Day! 🥾 From oak galls to bear scat to a quick microtrash cleanup, our recent Fall Colors Hike was a reminder of why these places are worth protecting.
With today’s much-needed rain, remember to check trail conditions before heading out. 🌧️🌱
With today’s much-needed rain, remember to check trail conditions before heading out. 🌧️🌱
Join Carla Mena, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs at the Ventura Sierra Club meeting on Nov. 19 (6–8PM) to hear about oil leasing threats, Roadless Rule rollbacks, and new protections for California’s wild places.
📍 Ventura • Free + open to all
👉🏽 RSVP: act.sierraclub.org/events/detai...
📍 Ventura • Free + open to all
👉🏽 RSVP: act.sierraclub.org/events/detai...
November 14, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Join Carla Mena, Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs at the Ventura Sierra Club meeting on Nov. 19 (6–8PM) to hear about oil leasing threats, Roadless Rule rollbacks, and new protections for California’s wild places.
📍 Ventura • Free + open to all
👉🏽 RSVP: act.sierraclub.org/events/detai...
📍 Ventura • Free + open to all
👉🏽 RSVP: act.sierraclub.org/events/detai...
Where wine and wildlands meet. 🌿🍷Explore 24 wineries—organic, biodynamic & regenerative—featured in the Wine for Wilderness Passport.
$75 = 24 tastings + nearby trails + protecting the Central Coast.
👉 Get yours at forestwatch.org/passport
$75 = 24 tastings + nearby trails + protecting the Central Coast.
👉 Get yours at forestwatch.org/passport
Wine for Wilderness Passport - Los Padres ForestWatch
Together, we can raise a glass—and raise support—for the places that make California’s Central Coast extraordinary.
forestwatch.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Where wine and wildlands meet. 🌿🍷Explore 24 wineries—organic, biodynamic & regenerative—featured in the Wine for Wilderness Passport.
$75 = 24 tastings + nearby trails + protecting the Central Coast.
👉 Get yours at forestwatch.org/passport
$75 = 24 tastings + nearby trails + protecting the Central Coast.
👉 Get yours at forestwatch.org/passport
Ever wonder what to do if you see a cougar on the trail? 👀Let’s talk coexistence.
Join us on Nov. 20 for a free webinar with Cougar Conservancy’s Korinna Domingo—wildlife biologist + mountain lion advocate.
👉🏽 Register: forestwatch.org/co-existing-with-cougars-webinar/
Join us on Nov. 20 for a free webinar with Cougar Conservancy’s Korinna Domingo—wildlife biologist + mountain lion advocate.
👉🏽 Register: forestwatch.org/co-existing-with-cougars-webinar/
November 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Ever wonder what to do if you see a cougar on the trail? 👀Let’s talk coexistence.
Join us on Nov. 20 for a free webinar with Cougar Conservancy’s Korinna Domingo—wildlife biologist + mountain lion advocate.
👉🏽 Register: forestwatch.org/co-existing-with-cougars-webinar/
Join us on Nov. 20 for a free webinar with Cougar Conservancy’s Korinna Domingo—wildlife biologist + mountain lion advocate.
👉🏽 Register: forestwatch.org/co-existing-with-cougars-webinar/
Wildfire has always shaped our landscape—learn how we can live with it. 🔥 Join us Sun, Nov 16 at 10:30 AM in Goleta for a free screening of Elemental at the Wild & Free Film Fest + discussion with local wildfire experts.
👉 www.wildandfreefilm.org
👉 www.wildandfreefilm.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Wildfire has always shaped our landscape—learn how we can live with it. 🔥 Join us Sun, Nov 16 at 10:30 AM in Goleta for a free screening of Elemental at the Wild & Free Film Fest + discussion with local wildfire experts.
👉 www.wildandfreefilm.org
👉 www.wildandfreefilm.org
After nine years, Bryant Baker, our Conservation and Research Director, and his loyal field dog Leela are moving on to new adventures. 🌿
We’re endlessly grateful for all they’ve done to protect the wild places we love.
Read Bryant’s farewell → forestwatch.org/news/my-fond...
We’re endlessly grateful for all they’ve done to protect the wild places we love.
Read Bryant’s farewell → forestwatch.org/news/my-fond...
November 10, 2025 at 10:01 PM
After nine years, Bryant Baker, our Conservation and Research Director, and his loyal field dog Leela are moving on to new adventures. 🌿
We’re endlessly grateful for all they’ve done to protect the wild places we love.
Read Bryant’s farewell → forestwatch.org/news/my-fond...
We’re endlessly grateful for all they’ve done to protect the wild places we love.
Read Bryant’s farewell → forestwatch.org/news/my-fond...
Huge thanks to the families who joined our Outdoor Connections campout at Leo Carrillo State Park! 💛
No schedule—just nature leading the way and curiosity guiding every moment. These experiences help families feel welcome on public lands and inspired to protect them.
No schedule—just nature leading the way and curiosity guiding every moment. These experiences help families feel welcome on public lands and inspired to protect them.
Outdoor Connections: October Campout at Leo Carrillo State Park - Los Padres ForestWatch
This October, a group of families came together for a weekend campout at Leo Carrillo State Park, making new memories along the Southern California coast while strengthening their connection to the ou...
forestwatch.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Huge thanks to the families who joined our Outdoor Connections campout at Leo Carrillo State Park! 💛
No schedule—just nature leading the way and curiosity guiding every moment. These experiences help families feel welcome on public lands and inspired to protect them.
No schedule—just nature leading the way and curiosity guiding every moment. These experiences help families feel welcome on public lands and inspired to protect them.
(1/3) ACTION ALERT 🚨 The Trump Administration is proposing to eliminate the Public Lands Rule—the policy that finally put conservation on equal footing with mining, drilling & grazing across 245 million acres of BLM lands.👉🏽 forestwatch.org/act-now-keep-public-lands-rule
November 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
(1/3) ACTION ALERT 🚨 The Trump Administration is proposing to eliminate the Public Lands Rule—the policy that finally put conservation on equal footing with mining, drilling & grazing across 245 million acres of BLM lands.👉🏽 forestwatch.org/act-now-keep-public-lands-rule
Raise a glass for the places that make California’s Central Coast extraordinary! 🍷 The Wine for Wilderness Passport unlocks 24 complimentary tastings + nearby trail adventures across the Los Padres and Central Coast public lands.
✨ Get yours for only $75: forestwatch.org/passport
✨ Get yours for only $75: forestwatch.org/passport
November 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Raise a glass for the places that make California’s Central Coast extraordinary! 🍷 The Wine for Wilderness Passport unlocks 24 complimentary tastings + nearby trail adventures across the Los Padres and Central Coast public lands.
✨ Get yours for only $75: forestwatch.org/passport
✨ Get yours for only $75: forestwatch.org/passport
(1/4) Livestock grazing occurs on 200+ million acres of federal public lands across the West—including large portions of Los Padres National Forest. While these landscapes already face drought, climate change & invasive weeds, grazing is the leading cause of ecological degradation. 🌿🐾
November 4, 2025 at 7:05 PM
(1/4) Livestock grazing occurs on 200+ million acres of federal public lands across the West—including large portions of Los Padres National Forest. While these landscapes already face drought, climate change & invasive weeds, grazing is the leading cause of ecological degradation. 🌿🐾
Happy California Native Oak Day! 🌳Oaks support 2,000+ species, clean our air and water, store carbon, and hold deep cultural significance for Indigenous communities. They’re fire-adapted and resilient—but threatened by development, invasive species, and disease.
👉🏽 forestwatch.org/learn-explor...
👉🏽 forestwatch.org/learn-explor...
November 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Happy California Native Oak Day! 🌳Oaks support 2,000+ species, clean our air and water, store carbon, and hold deep cultural significance for Indigenous communities. They’re fire-adapted and resilient—but threatened by development, invasive species, and disease.
👉🏽 forestwatch.org/learn-explor...
👉🏽 forestwatch.org/learn-explor...
If you spot a tarantula wandering this time of year, it’s likely a male searching for a mate! 🕷️
Females stay close to their burrows for decades, so males do the legwork—and risk getting eaten before, during, or after mating.
Maybe dating apps aren’t so scary after all.
📷: Bryant Baker
Females stay close to their burrows for decades, so males do the legwork—and risk getting eaten before, during, or after mating.
Maybe dating apps aren’t so scary after all.
📷: Bryant Baker
October 31, 2025 at 5:37 PM
If you spot a tarantula wandering this time of year, it’s likely a male searching for a mate! 🕷️
Females stay close to their burrows for decades, so males do the legwork—and risk getting eaten before, during, or after mating.
Maybe dating apps aren’t so scary after all.
📷: Bryant Baker
Females stay close to their burrows for decades, so males do the legwork—and risk getting eaten before, during, or after mating.
Maybe dating apps aren’t so scary after all.
📷: Bryant Baker
(1/4) A major decision is coming for our coast. 🌊 On Tues, Nov 4, the SB County Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to transfer Exxon’s offshore drilling permits to Sable Offshore Corp.
October 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
(1/4) A major decision is coming for our coast. 🌊 On Tues, Nov 4, the SB County Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to transfer Exxon’s offshore drilling permits to Sable Offshore Corp.
(1/4) Huge thanks to Supervisors Laura Capps, Joan Hartmann, and Roy Lee for their bold leadership in protecting the County of Santa Barbara’s communities, air, and water!
Their 3–2 vote to ban new onshore drilling and phase out existing oil operations is historic.
Their 3–2 vote to ban new onshore drilling and phase out existing oil operations is historic.
October 29, 2025 at 7:45 PM
(1/4) Huge thanks to Supervisors Laura Capps, Joan Hartmann, and Roy Lee for their bold leadership in protecting the County of Santa Barbara’s communities, air, and water!
Their 3–2 vote to ban new onshore drilling and phase out existing oil operations is historic.
Their 3–2 vote to ban new onshore drilling and phase out existing oil operations is historic.
(1/4) 🌲 More than 625,000 people spoke up to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule—which protects national forests from logging, mining, drilling, and roadbuilding.
October 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
(1/4) 🌲 More than 625,000 people spoke up to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule—which protects national forests from logging, mining, drilling, and roadbuilding.
Gov't shutdown, week 3. Visitor centers locked, rangers furloughed, oil drilling continues. Those who protect our forests are home without pay, but corporations still profit. We're still here—watching, reporting, and protecting our public lands.
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/how-the...
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/how-the...
How the Government Shutdown Affects Local Public Lands - Los Padres ForestWatch
Trails and campgrounds remain open for now, but visitor services and natural resources may suffer.
forestwatch.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Gov't shutdown, week 3. Visitor centers locked, rangers furloughed, oil drilling continues. Those who protect our forests are home without pay, but corporations still profit. We're still here—watching, reporting, and protecting our public lands.
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/how-the...
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/how-the...
We are honored to work in partnership with our friends at @altnps.bsky.social Alt National Park Service. Together we share a common goal to protect and defend parks, forests, and wild landscapes, locally here on California’s central coast and throughout the country. Onward!
October 3, 2025 at 7:57 PM
We are honored to work in partnership with our friends at @altnps.bsky.social Alt National Park Service. Together we share a common goal to protect and defend parks, forests, and wild landscapes, locally here on California’s central coast and throughout the country. Onward!
🐻 The Santa Monica Mountains have a new mama bear and her three cubs 🐻🐻🐻. It’s the first family of bears in these mountains in years. You may remember her remarkable 100-mile journey that began last year in the Angeles National Forest, wandering along the outskirts of LA before finding her new home.
Meet Your New Neighbors in the Santa Monica Mountains - Los Padres ForestWatch
A mama and her three cubs mark the first family of black bears in the Santa Monica Mountains in years.
forestwatch.org
August 29, 2025 at 12:16 AM
🐻 The Santa Monica Mountains have a new mama bear and her three cubs 🐻🐻🐻. It’s the first family of bears in these mountains in years. You may remember her remarkable 100-mile journey that began last year in the Angeles National Forest, wandering along the outskirts of LA before finding her new home.
In a move that threatens some of California’s most cherished wildlands, the Trump administration has revived plans to expand oil drilling and fracking across 850,000 acres throughout the Central Coast and Central Valley. Click here to view an interactive map of lands at stake and take action.
Trump Administration Resurrects Oil Drilling Threat to 850,000+ Acres of Central Coast Public Lands - Los Padres ForestWatch
Bureau of Land Management plan targets lands near Los Padres and Carrizo Plain.
forestwatch.org
July 8, 2025 at 9:32 PM
In a move that threatens some of California’s most cherished wildlands, the Trump administration has revived plans to expand oil drilling and fracking across 850,000 acres throughout the Central Coast and Central Valley. Click here to view an interactive map of lands at stake and take action.