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
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. 🌿
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...
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...
(3/3) But we can stop it. ✋ The public comment period closes November 10.
Tell leaders TODAY: Keep the Public Lands Rule in place.
⏱️ It takes 30 seconds.
👉🏽 ACT NOW: forestwatch.org/act-now-keep-public-lands-rule
Tell leaders TODAY: Keep the Public Lands Rule in place.
⏱️ It takes 30 seconds.
👉🏽 ACT NOW: forestwatch.org/act-now-keep-public-lands-rule
November 6, 2025 at 5:22 PM
(3/3) But we can stop it. ✋ The public comment period closes November 10.
Tell leaders TODAY: Keep the Public Lands Rule in place.
⏱️ It takes 30 seconds.
👉🏽 ACT NOW: forestwatch.org/act-now-keep-public-lands-rule
Tell leaders TODAY: Keep the Public Lands Rule in place.
⏱️ It takes 30 seconds.
👉🏽 ACT NOW: forestwatch.org/act-now-keep-public-lands-rule
(2/3) If this rollback moves forward, the BLM would no longer have to prioritize:
❌ Restoring degraded areas
❌ Protecting intact habitats
❌ Safeguarding clean water & wildlife corridors
❌ Using sound science to prevent harm to land, water & wildlife
❌ Restoring degraded areas
❌ Protecting intact habitats
❌ Safeguarding clean water & wildlife corridors
❌ Using sound science to prevent harm to land, water & wildlife
November 6, 2025 at 5:21 PM
(2/3) If this rollback moves forward, the BLM would no longer have to prioritize:
❌ Restoring degraded areas
❌ Protecting intact habitats
❌ Safeguarding clean water & wildlife corridors
❌ Using sound science to prevent harm to land, water & wildlife
❌ Restoring degraded areas
❌ Protecting intact habitats
❌ Safeguarding clean water & wildlife corridors
❌ Using sound science to prevent harm to land, water & wildlife
(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
(4/4) We’re fighting to ensure voluntary retirement remains a powerful conservation tool that protects clean water, wildlife habitat & the public lands that make the Central Coast so extraordinary. 📣
👉🏽 Learn more: forestwatch.org/news/volunta...
👉🏽 Learn more: forestwatch.org/news/volunta...
November 4, 2025 at 7:07 PM
(4/4) We’re fighting to ensure voluntary retirement remains a powerful conservation tool that protects clean water, wildlife habitat & the public lands that make the Central Coast so extraordinary. 📣
👉🏽 Learn more: forestwatch.org/news/volunta...
👉🏽 Learn more: forestwatch.org/news/volunta...
(3/4) But a new USDA–DOI Grazing Action Plan threatens that progress by reopening vacant allotments (even some previously retired), expanding grazing & reducing oversight, increasing risks to already stressed ecosystems. 🚫
November 4, 2025 at 7:07 PM
(3/4) But a new USDA–DOI Grazing Action Plan threatens that progress by reopening vacant allotments (even some previously retired), expanding grazing & reducing oversight, increasing risks to already stressed ecosystems. 🚫
(2/4) The Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act (VGPRA) is a fair, market-based option for ranchers to retire permits.
When a permit is retired, grazing ends permanently—watersheds heal, erosion slows & native habitats rebound—while ranching families gain more choices for their future. ✅
When a permit is retired, grazing ends permanently—watersheds heal, erosion slows & native habitats rebound—while ranching families gain more choices for their future. ✅
November 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
(2/4) The Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act (VGPRA) is a fair, market-based option for ranchers to retire permits.
When a permit is retired, grazing ends permanently—watersheds heal, erosion slows & native habitats rebound—while ranching families gain more choices for their future. ✅
When a permit is retired, grazing ends permanently—watersheds heal, erosion slows & native habitats rebound—while ranching families gain more choices for their future. ✅
(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.
(4/4) Oil companies will push back—but ForestWatch will be ready. 💪We’ll keep fighting to protect our forests, watersheds, and communities through every phase of this process.
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/santa-b...
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/santa-b...
October 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
(4/4) Oil companies will push back—but ForestWatch will be ready. 💪We’ll keep fighting to protect our forests, watersheds, and communities through every phase of this process.
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/santa-b...
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/santa-b...
(3/4) ⚙️ What happens next:
Phase 1 → Ban new drilling (~6 months, with public hearings).
Phase 2 → Set a timeline (≤20 years) to end existing operations, guided by financial studies, environmental review & community input.
Phase 1 → Ban new drilling (~6 months, with public hearings).
Phase 2 → Set a timeline (≤20 years) to end existing operations, guided by financial studies, environmental review & community input.
October 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
(3/4) ⚙️ What happens next:
Phase 1 → Ban new drilling (~6 months, with public hearings).
Phase 2 → Set a timeline (≤20 years) to end existing operations, guided by financial studies, environmental review & community input.
Phase 1 → Ban new drilling (~6 months, with public hearings).
Phase 2 → Set a timeline (≤20 years) to end existing operations, guided by financial studies, environmental review & community input.
(2/4) This decision makes Santa Barbara County one of the first in California to use its new authority under AB 3233—a law that gives local governments the power to restrict or prohibit oil & gas operations.
A major win for people and the planet. 🌿
A major win for people and the planet. 🌿
October 29, 2025 at 7:46 PM
(2/4) This decision makes Santa Barbara County one of the first in California to use its new authority under AB 3233—a law that gives local governments the power to restrict or prohibit oil & gas operations.
A major win for people and the planet. 🌿
A major win for people and the planet. 🌿
(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.
(4/4) The next public comment period is coming soon. Stay tuned, stay loud, and help keep our forests roadless, wild, and free.
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/central...
#ProtectRoadless #KeepItWild #PublicLands #CentralCoast
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/central...
#ProtectRoadless #KeepItWild #PublicLands #CentralCoast
October 27, 2025 at 8:02 PM
(4/4) The next public comment period is coming soon. Stay tuned, stay loud, and help keep our forests roadless, wild, and free.
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/central...
#ProtectRoadless #KeepItWild #PublicLands #CentralCoast
👉🏽 Read more: forestwatch.org/news/central...
#ProtectRoadless #KeepItWild #PublicLands #CentralCoast
(3/4) ForestWatch’s campaign generated 1,500+ letters to lawmakers urging them to keep the Roadless Rule intact—proof that our communities are paying attention and ready to act. 🌿
October 27, 2025 at 8:02 PM
(3/4) ForestWatch’s campaign generated 1,500+ letters to lawmakers urging them to keep the Roadless Rule intact—proof that our communities are paying attention and ready to act. 🌿