Santa Barbara County’s natural landscape is a precious resource with incredible biodiversity that must be protected for future generations. These environmental treasures face threats from development, habitat loss, climate change and limited public access. Preserving open spaces, restoring habitats, and expanding trails are vital priorities, supported by community-led conservation efforts that protect coastal areas, wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands. The region’s environmental legacy traces back to the 1969 oil spill that helped inspire the first Earth Day in 1970. By investing in conservation and sustainable practices, we can safeguard Santa Barbara’s natural inheritance for years to come.
In 2021, SBF served as the fiscal sponsor for the Foothills Forever Fund and handled the administrative aspects of receiving and processing over $18M in donations. The effort saved an additional 100 acres of San Marcos Foothills and joined it to 200 acres of the foothills preserved in a previous collaboration in 2006. Today, all 300 acres are available for our community to enjoy for free, and the land has an endowment to maintain it in perpetuity.
Santa Barbara County has a long history of improving the environment and cherishing and preserving the scenic beauty of the area for future generations. In recent years, the Santa Barbara Foundation’s investments in the environment have included development of a countywide Food Action Plan and Network, Conservation Blueprint, funding to preserve places such as the Point Sal Reserve and North Campus Open Space, and capacity building for nonprofit organizations.
With our funding partners, the Foundation offers grants to increase environmental sustainability, land conservation, habitat restoration, public trails, and ecosystem health. If you are interested in contributing to the solutions, we welcome your partnership and appreciate your support.
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