Los Padres ForestWatch

Meet AC-4, a 46-year-old California condor who helped save his species from extinction. 🖤 Captured in 1985, he fathered 30 chicks before returning to the wild 30 years later. Protecting the Los Padres means protecting his home. 📸 Chris Trent

Our national forests belong to all of us, but new Forest Service rules make it harder for the public to have a say in how they're managed. Shorter deadlines, limits on evidence, and fewer opportunities to challenge decisions threaten meaningful public participation. 👉 Read more: ow.ly/AtxY50ZYC1L

Things are getting batty! 🦇 Join ForestWatch for a twilight bat experience at Camp Arnaz on Oct. 25! Discover why bats matter, learn to build a bat house, and watch them take flight at dusk. Spots are limited! forestwatch.org/event/bat-ex...

ForestWatch joined Senate President pro Tem Monique Limón for her annual Tea con Limón, connecting with Central Coast leaders on issues from education and community well-being to public lands and environmental protection. Grateful for the conversation and collaboration!

Following a petition by ForestWatch and @biologicaldiversity.org, the Mount Pinos sooty grouse is now a candidate for California endangered species protection—an important step toward protecting this rare bird. 👉 Learn more: ow.ly/VHky50ZXLE7 📷 James Bland

We're honored to receive the 2026 James D. Loebl Award from the Ojai Valley Defense Fund! 🌿 Join us for a free community celebration on Sunday, October 25, from 4–6 PM at The Ojai Retreat. All are welcome. No RSVP required. We'd love to see you there!

Two new California laws aim to make roads safer for wildlife and help communities coexist with animals. 🐾 Learn how they support wildlife connectivity and coexistence: https://ow.ly/THNE50ZW7TM

Can fuel breaks create new wildfire risks? 🌿🔥 In chaparral, yes. Cleared corridors can invite invasive grasses that dry out fast and ignite easily, increasing repeat-fire risk. Strategic placement near communities can help; sprawling networks can harm.

At least 1.6M comments supported the Roadless Rule—and 99.1% of publicly posted comments opposed repeal. 💚 ForestWatch joined the nationwide effort, and we’ll keep fighting for 635,106 roadless acres in the Los Padres.

Our monarch webinar is now on YouTube! 🦋 Hear from Isis Howard with the The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, about western monarchs, the challenges they face, and how community science is helping inform their conservation. 👉 Watch now: https://youtu.be/35YAUGR75G8

We’re excited to welcome Martín Mejía, our new Outdoor Connections Coordinator! 🌿 He’ll help create welcoming opportunities across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties to connect with nature, build belonging, and experience the public lands we protect. Welcome, Martín!

The finish line is in sight. 👀 Check your favorites, place your final bids, and look for Buy Now to lock in select items before the last-minute rush. Bidding closes Oct. 4 at 8 PM PST. 👉🏽 forestwatch.org/silentauction

What does advocacy look like? Sharing a post. Submitting a comment. Writing a postcard. And sometimes, sending hundreds of them to D.C. 😎 Roadless Rule comments close Oct. 6. Add your voice: 👉🏽 https://ow.ly/VRfU50ZTl6O

You don’t need a bucket-list budget to join the fun. 👀 Our silent auction is full of local favorites, gifts, dining, and unique experiences—all while supporting public lands. Plenty of bids are still under $50: forestwatch.org/silentauction

Latino Conservation Week brought us together in Santa Barbara and Oxnard for two mornings of culture, creativity, and connection outdoors. 🌿 Huge thanks to our partners and every family who joined us in celebrating community and conservation. Read more: https://ow.ly/WHAz50ZTbeC

Big news: Gov. Newsom signed ForestWatch-sponsored SB 1268, making equitable outdoor access a lasting state commitment. Thanks to Gov. Newsom and Sen. Lena Gonzalez for helping make Outdoors for All law. 🌿

Pat Veesart left a lasting mark on the Central Coast—and on everyone who worked alongside him to protect it. We’re deeply grateful for his decades of conservation leadership and love for these wild places. 👉 Read Jeff Kuyper’s tribute: https://ow.ly/2ZkJ50ZSkjW

Governor Newsom has until Wednesday to sign SB 1268 and make Outdoors for All a lasting state initiative. 🌿 ForestWatch is proud to sponsor this effort to expand access to parks, public lands, and outdoor recreation. 📣 Urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign: https://ow.ly/n9om50ZSjIN

Public lands belong to all of us. 🌲 On National Public Lands Day, we’re celebrating the forests, trails, rivers, mountains, and open spaces that connect our communities to nature. Get outside. Stay connected. And help keep public lands public. 📷: Lizard's Mouth by Bryant Baker

A rushed federal process could have lasting consequences for Central California. BLM’s December oil & gas lease sale still threatens communities, wildlife habitat, and lands near Carrizo Plain. ForestWatch and partners are pushing back. Stay tuned.

According to our web analytics, black bears are having a moment. 🐻 California is home to ~60,000, and males can roam up to 80 square miles. Los Padres provides vital room to roam. 👉 Learn more: https://ow.ly/uCww50ZR7vp

Our online silent auction is LIVE! 🌲 Bids start at just $15, with 160+ local favorites, outdoor adventures & bucket-list experiences up for grabs. See something you love? Look for Buy Now. ✨ Bid: forestwatch.org/silentauction

Do we need more roads to fight wildfires? @fuseefire.bsky.social firefighters say no. The administration also aims to boost timber production 25%. The Roadless Rule already allows fire response. Comment by Oct. 6 to protect the Roadless Rule: forestwatch.org/campaign/pro...

The countdown is ON. 👀 ForestWatch’s Online Silent Auction returns Sept. 23–Oct. 4 with 150+ adventures, getaways, wine, gear + more. Featuring Los Padres Outfitters, Blue Sky Center + more. 👉 Preview: forestwatch.org/silentauction

The Trump administration wants to change how motorized use is managed on public lands. Good travel management keeps access predictable while protecting trails, wildlife, watersheds + quiet recreation. 🌲 Speak up by Sept. 23: https://ow.ly/xwsk50ZOVbq 📷 Josh Becker

ICYMI: Our Virtual Roadless Town Hall is now available to stream. 🌲 Hear what’s at stake—and why conservation groups, hunters, anglers, and firefighters are coming together to defend the Roadless Rule. ▶️ Watch the recording + take action by Oct. 6: youtu.be/QckFcKHpQioa

We’re partnering with Xerces Society for a webinar on western monarchs and community science. 🦋 Hear from biologist Isis Howard about monitoring, conservation, and how local observations can help shape recovery efforts. RSVP: https://ow.ly/eeVi50ZMNqZ

Celebrate Latino Conservation Week! 🌿☀️ Join us for a free, family-friendly day of nature, community, lunch, and 30x30-inspired art. All are welcome! 👉🏽 RSVP: https://forms.gle/m9Tmu1oPzPELEh8BA

SoCal steelhead are among our region’s most imperiled native fish. ForestWatch joined the Wishtoyo Foundation and Center for Biological Diversity in urging NOAA to retain critical habitat protections in lower Piru Creek and the Santa Clara River. Damaged habitat should be restored, not abandoned.

Santa Barbara County is considering an end to new onshore oil + gas wells. 📣 Submit a comment by 5 PM Sept. 14 and urge supervisors to approve the amendments: sbcob@countyofsb.org. Hearing: Sept. 15

A few seats remain for The Wilderness Table at Cash Mountain Ranch! 🌿 Join us Sept. 27 in Ojai for cocktails, a ranch tour, dinner, paired wines + stories from the ranch’s Johnny Cash history. 👉 Reserve your seat: forestwatch.org/wildernesstable

Good travel management means access + responsibility: safer, quieter experiences, better-managed roads and trails, and protection for wildlife and watersheds. 🌲 Speak up by Sept. 23: https://www.regulations.gov/document/FS-2026-0100-0001 📷 Josh Becker @mybucketsgottaholeinit

Join us and The Xerces Society for a webinar on western monarchs, the threats they face, and how community science is helping conservation efforts. 🦋 RSVP to nerd out on monarchs with us: https://ow.ly/klCc50ZHw8C

The Roadless Rule has protected 635,000+ acres in Los Padres for 25 years. Now those protections are at risk. Join our virtual town hall Sept. 9 to learn what’s changing and how to speak up. 🌲 RSVP: https://ow.ly/uPNt50ZJxjY

It’s on the Governor’s desk! 🌿 ForestWatch is proud to sponsor SB 1268, now one signature away from making Outdoors for All a lasting California initiative. 📣 Urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign: https://ow.ly/ntRF50ZJCKH

Grateful to Reps. Brownley, Lofgren, Carbajal & Panetta, Sens. Schiff & Padilla, and 159 other members of congress, for defending the Roadless Rule. 🌲 Now it’s our turn. 📣 Comment by Sept. 21 to protect our backcountry from new permanent roads: https://ow.ly/YKXa50ZJ0P9

Our Online Silent Auction returns Sept. 23–Oct. 4! Bid on adventures, gear, getaways & more from incredible donors—all supporting the wild places we love. 👀 Sneak peek: https://ow.ly/gTtr50ZHqbu

You’ve probably explored a Roadless Area without knowing it. 🌲 We mapped 142 trails across Los Padres—94 nonmotorized + 48 motorized/shared-use. 👉🏽 Find your trail and see what’s at stake: https://ow.ly/iIQk50ZIpkq

Curious what losing the Roadless Rule could mean for our national forests? Learn what’s at stake and how you can help protect America’s remaining wild forests. Join our Virtual Town Hall! 📆 Wed., Sept. 9 🕰️ 6-7PM 📍 Zoom 🌲RSVP: https://forestwatch.org/event/virtual-roadless-town-hall/

Welcome Adam Morrison, ForestWatch’s new Director of Development! 🌲 A former wildland firefighter and longtime Ojai resident, Adam brings deep experience in conservation, fundraising, and a lifelong love of public lands. We’re thrilled to have him!

📞 One call. Two asks. Help protect roadless areas. You don’t need to be an expert. A short, personal message is enough. If you can, take a minute to share why roadless areas and public lands matter to you. 👉🏼 Call (202-224-3121) today.

It’s International Puma Week, so naturally we’re talking cougars. 🐾 ICYMI, we joined Cougar Conservancy for a practical conversation on living alongside mountain lions—from pet safety to encounters and coexistence. ▶️ Watch now: https://youtu.be/LwpHSvf9NBQ

On Aug. 27, 96%+ of the Moon will pass through Earth’s shadow, glowing deep red-orange. Join us in Santa Barbara at 8 PM for this free, kid-friendly event. Space is limited! 🌕 RSVP: https://ow.ly/5JyM50ZCwIP

More roads ≠ more access. More roads ≠ better fire management. More roads = more access for commercial logging. The Roadless Rule protects 635,000 acres of Los Padres. 🚨 Speak up by Sept. 21: https://ow.ly/amCq50ZC7O2

57 years ago, the Ventana Wilderness was protected, preserving some of California’s wildest coastal landscapes. Today, roughly 240,000 acres safeguard redwoods, watersheds, wildlife, and habitat for endangered condors. 📷 Bryant Baker

We’re proud to be a Community Partner for Ventura Land Trust’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival this Saturday! Join us downtown for inspiring films, community festivities, and a celebration of the places we love. Hope to see you there!

We’re 22! 🎉 For more than two decades, ForestWatch has worked to protect wild places across California’s Central Coast. To celebrate, we’re highlighting 22 wild places—from Big Sur to Los Padres and Carrizo Plain. 🌿 Explore all 22: https://ow.ly/RApS50Zz360

Join us at the table. 🌿 Celebrate the landscapes and flavors of the Central Coast at our Fall Wilderness Table at Cash Mountain Ranch on Sept. 27. Sponsorship opportunities are available for groups and businesses. 🎟️ forestwatch.org/wildernesstable

Help us welcome Michelle Sevilla, ForestWatch’s new Director of Organizing & Partnerships! 👋 Raised in SB and a UCSB graduate, Michelle brings experience in environmental outreach, public policy, and climate justice to connecting communities with the lands and wildlife of the Central Coast.

Thousand Oaks, Stand Up! 📣 Join us at a town hall at Dos Vientos Community Center on August 26 to learn what proposed changes to the Roadless Rule could mean for Los Padres and our public lands. 👉🏽 RSVP: https://ow.ly/Yqal50ZvRy8