I’ve been both a donor and volunteer with Los Padres ForestWatch for about 19 years. What I admire about this organization is their devotion to preventing encroachments by economic interests that can damage the Los Padres National Forest—wherever these threats emerge. Forest Watch is alert to any potential threat to Los Padres.
Hi, my name is Lucas and I am 9 years old. Los Padres ForestWatch does lots of things, like helping save California condors. They also help stop oil drilling in the Los Padres National Forest because it hurts wildlife. They also organize really good hikes. One time I went on a hike that ForestWatch organized with Congressman Carbajal. It was really fun because he let me talk about the wildlife that lives in the creek in Rattlesnake Canyon on the hike. ForestWatch also helps clean up trash everywhere they go. One time we were looking for fossils in the Los Padres National Forest and we saw a big pile of trash. We stopped and picked up the trash. Also I did my first backpacking trip in the Los Padres National Forest. So it’s important to protect the wildlife so that other families can have the same opportunity as I did. So I really hope everyone can support ForestWatch.
This is my favorite charity. A young couple just out of law school started it some 20 years ago, and I was one of the early supporters. This protection was badly needed. The Los Padres National Forest is huge, extending from Ventura to Monterey. Los Padres ForestWatch is the only organization that defends the public interest in how this forest is managed. LPFW has been highly effective in preventing commercial exploitation that would have degraded the healthy ecosystem nature of the forest This protection is still needed; the commercial interests keep finding ways to get political support.
Los Padres ForestWatch provides vital education and advocacy protecting our national public lands across the Central Coast. With increased attacks on the health and safety of our national resources from the highest halls of power, LPFW’s proven track record of thoughtfully and strategically moving forward an agenda for the public good is more important than any time in recent history. LPFW specializes in a number of important strategies in their work—legislative advocacy, legal defense, public awareness, and stakeholder collaboration—and have proven to be an important player in the regional ecosystem for protecting people and planet.
I work very regularly with Los Padres ForestWatch and am consistently deeply impressed by their local knowledge and expertise, advocacy smarts, connection to the local community, and the kind and accessible nature of their staff.
I live in a conservative town. Conservative here means something different than conservation. Los Padres ForestWatch was a game changer for me because I began to meet like-minded people at their events. I visited one of their booths at Los Olivos Day and saw some old friends of mine—maps! Then I began to follow connections from Los Padres ForestWatch on Instagram and I’ve been learning about native species. LPFW has really opened me up to new things and brought me back to nature.
As a current supporter, donor and former board member of Los Padres ForestWatch, I’ve had the opportunity to experience first-hand the commitment of this organization in protecting and preserving something irreplaceable—the Los Padres National Forest.
Los Padres ForestWatch is a fantastic organization that effectively supports and protects one of our most treasured resources. They protect the backyard of Santa Barbara County in a multitude of ways and are excellent at educating and mobilizing the public about our present and future issues. We always love to attend their educational and motivational events and seminars as volunteers and as supportive, involved members of our community.
I was a Conservation Legal Intern for Los Padres ForestWatch during the Summer of 2019. I’m so lucky to have had this experience. The people that work there are caring, kind, and committed to the environmental protection of the Los Padres National Forest. In my time here, I learned a lot about environmental law, legal correspondence, Google Earth/GIS mapping, and the different species of plants and animals that live in the Los Padres National Forest.
Very community-oriented nonprofit that is doing good work to protect the LPNF. The staff is full of passionate, determined workers and are always cheerful, even when times are stressful. The community is lucky to have such a great nonprofit working to protect the beautiful public lands right in our backyard.
We love Los Padres ForestWatch! They are genuine and hard working people who protect the most important asset we have, our land, air and water surrounding our home. Their efforts are transparent and successful. We are so grateful for their team!
I work with the LPFW team through 1% for the Planet. LPFW is an approved nonprofit partner in excellent standing. My role at 1% for the Planet is to advise our members—both businesses and individuals—on giving strategies. I often recommend LPFW as a fantastic regional partner for our members on the central coast. I’m particularly impressed with LPFW’s ability to track ongoing policy issues, rally the community, and take action as needed.
I am awed by the work that LPFW is doing, especially combatting expanded oil and gas drilling on public lands, which are literally in my backyard.
LPFW is truly a champion for our public lands in Santa Barbara County and beyond. They are focused on protecting these open spaces and take a no-nonsense approach to accomplishing that mission. I’ve had a chance to partner with them on a few projects with a common mission and they are easy to work with, professional, and transparent.
I was introduced to Los Padres ForestWatch several years ago and have been a supporter ever since because it is a vitally important and responsive advocate for public lands in California’s Central Coast. Due to growing federal pressure to open access for oil and gas development on our public lands, LPFW has been on the front lines to protect and defend key watersheds and animal habitat.
We have had the pleasure of working with Los Padres ForestWatch for several years and are currently litigating on their behalf regarding an impactful and non-compliant oil drilling operation. They are a dedicated organization that protects wildlife habitat, water quality, scenic views, and outdoor recreation in and around the Los Padres National Forest.
Los Padres ForestWatch works tirelessly to protect my community for those of us that live here as well as thousands who travel here every year to experience the beauty of Los Padres National Forest. Their work is critical, and I support them 100%!
I’m a new member of the Board of Directors and have held a ForestWatch membership for many years. I was attracted to ForestWatch because of what they do to protect the forest from serious impacts such as mineral and oil extraction. ForestWatch is the foremost watchdog organization for the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
Los Padres ForestWatch is doing crucial work to protect and preserve the public lands along the California central coast. Focusing especially on issues of access, preservation, and biological integrity/diversity, this organization is one of the very few with a watchful eye and a record of success!
I’ve volunteered with Los Padres ForestWatch for two years, and they continuously go above and beyond to get volunteers excited for the volunteer opportunities they offer, that you almost feel like you aren’t volunteering at all! LPFW truly cares about our forests and their volunteer outings. My two children who are 8 and 9, love volunteering with LPFW. In my opinion if you can get kids excited about picking up trash and saving the Earth early on a Saturday morning then you are exceeding as a nonprofit.
LPFW is a phenomenal organization that serves in protecting and conserving our forest. I was introduced to LPFW during Latino Conservation Week. LPFW sponsored a Tacos and Trails event, in which the organization left a lasting impression with me by educating myself and the generations to come about the public lands in our own backyard and how we can do our part to maintain them in order to be able to enjoy them for the years to come.
Los Padres ForestWatch is an amazing organization. I had the pleasure of attending a caminata/hike with LPFW a few months ago. I was able to connect with folks who are learning and growing and getting informed on ways to get involved in our local forest. I appreciate the outreach efforts that LPFW takes to plant the seeds of land stewardship to members of the community who aren’t always included in conservation conversations.
LPFW takes a thoughtful and community-oriented approach to conservation work. It’s always a pleasure to help out with forest clean-ups and learn from the hard-working team. Thank you all for your service!
I really admire the effort that LPFW puts towards its outreach being diverse and inclusive. My first cleanup with the organization in Ojai was not only a learning experience but it was fun, welcoming and one of the main reasons why I continue to work with the organization.
Los Padres ForestWatch does stellar work! Most recently, I went on a roadside/creek cleanup near the Thomas Fire scar, where we recovered well over 1100 pounds of waste, including tons of broken glass, rusty car parts, and much more. I was impressed by the dedication of the volunteers, as well as the organization and leadership of the conservation director and team.
Great outfit, doing the good work of keeping public lands public and accessible for all of the Central Coast. They have also been key in the ongoing revitalization of the California Condor.
LPFW has created a presence within the Santa Barbara community that is far reaching with a diverse range of opportunities for all to become involved. These opportunities range from volunteer clean-ups by becoming a ‘weekend warrior,’ to partnerships with local companies that build community.
Los Padres ForestWatch is a key, citizen-based habitat and environmental protection organization that has proven to be critical in protecting local Nature in the coastal mountains of central California. There are continual threats to the Los Padres National Forest that LPFW has successfully addressed through community action and legal means.
LPFW is an effective, well-informed, non-profit. They accomplish so much for an organization of their size. From direct action, volunteer events, education, participating in government agency processes, to—when needed—litigation, this group is firing on all cylinders.
We love Los Padres ForestWatch! They are genuine and hard working people who protect the most important asset we have, our land, air and water surrounding our home. Their efforts are transparent and successful. We are so grateful for their team!
Our forests belong to the people but more and more this right is being taken away from us for the sole purpose of corporate profits without regard to the treasure of the land, natural resources and wildlife. I feel so comforted and reassured that Los Padres ForestWatch has a watchful eye and is working hard to protect our forest lands.
LPFW is an outstanding protector of local forests and watersheds. Their steadfast pursuit of environmental justice to benefit nature and people is impressive and inspiring. Their work is meaningful and necessary as we move forward with an increasingly precarious environmental future.
We are proud supporters of Los Padres ForestWatch and appreciate all that the organization does to protect our wildlife and wilderness throughout California!
