Los Padres Forestwatch

Advocacy & monitoring - tracked development and resource extraction proposals throughout the Los Padres national forest, the carrizo plain and other public lands along California's central coast. Submitted comment letters, filed appeals, met with land management agencies, collaborated with scientists, and conducted on-the-ground monitoring and surveys to protect land, rivers, plants and wildlife. Led campaign to protect wildlife travelways in ventura county. Continued ban on unmanaged target shooting in Los Padres national forest. Stopped plan to drill for oil in carrizo plain national monument. Opposed four commercial logging projects in Los Padres national forest - pine mountain, tecuya ridge, cuddy valley and mt. Pinos.

Volunteer habitat restoration - enlisted 45 volunteers who contributed 164 hours of service to remove more than 200 pounds of toxic lead and trash from the forest and invasive cape ivy from creeks and canyons to benefit native plants and biodiversity.

Public education & outreach - informed local communities about the value of our region's public lands, the threats and challenges facing these wild places, and opportunities to better protect these areas. Distributed information via our website, monthly e-newsletter, press releases, film screening, and public events. Organized several outings with youth, families, and underserved communities to introduce them to the outdoors and to foster the next generation of public lands advocates. Organized events in conjunction with latino conservation week and undertook other initiatives to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors and within the conservation movement.