Gaviota Coast Conservancy

The Three Pillars:
Gaviota Coast Conservancy's actions are guided by what we call the Three Pillars of the Gaviota Coast, each one an integral and interconnected support that together fulfills our mission. Each can have a separate application to specific lands. They are:

Rural Character
Preserve the rural character of the Gaviota Coast and where appropriate, encourage regenerative agriculture. Agriculture is the bedrock of our coastal heritage. We encourage agricultural practices that build soil, manage water wisely, avoid toxic chemicals, and support biological resources.

Ecological Integrity
Restore and enhance the ecological integrity of the Gaviota Coast, its whole and undivided natural character. Support policies and practices that promote and revitalize biological diversity.

Public Access
Encourage appropriate and respectful public use and access. Recreation and rejuvenation are personal and community benefits. People that experience their environment become more active stewards of their homeland.

GCC educates the community about the importance of maintaining this coastal region habitat, and has engaged in strong advocacy in the land use planning process against inappropriate development. We sit down with willing landowners to discover mutually beneficial outcomes that serve both public and private interests. The same passion that drives GCC to engage the community drives a willingness to participate in multiple hearings at meetings of the local planning commission, architectural review board, and the Board of Supervisors for every single significant development proposal across the Gaviota coastal region. No other organization does this.

GCC is actively involved in the acquisition of key properties along the Gaviota Coast to permanently protect this land for future generations.

Gaviota Coast Conservancy funds small agricultural pilot projects to demonstrate best practices for sustainable agricultural production. Ensuring sustainable local agriculture keeps rural lands in the hands of farmers and ranchers.

Gaviota Coast Conservancy has been protecting the Gaviota Coast since 1996 and helped put together a special study on the Coast. The Gaviota Coast was determined to be "suitable" for a national park designation by the National Park Service in 2003 due to the area's rich biodiversity. However, the Park Service also determined that the area was not "feasible" to become a national park due to opposition from a small but vocal group of landowners. The advocacy that has protected the Coast since that time has largely been led by volunteers and sustained through donations from like-minded citizens who want to see the Coast protected forever.

In 2019, GCC hired its first full-time professional staff in an effort to shift from an advocacy focus to permanently protecting the Gaviota Coast. The new Executive Director is building the organization's professional staff and capabilities by partnering with national conservation organizations, building its fundraising capabilities and creating new opportunities for permanent protection.

1994 Spring; Gaviota Coast Consensus Group was an outgrowth of Coastal Conference.
1997 Develop organizational structure and initiated a 24-month survey of local landowners in conjunction with Land Trust of Santa Barbara County regarding sentiments toward land conservation and conservation easements.
1998 Organized day-long field trip for decision-makers, landowners, NPS, and conservation allies. Major press coverage led to publicity and momentum. Trust for Public Land and Land Trust for Santa Barbara County became our land trust partners.
1999 NPS authorized to undertake a feasibility study for creating a National Seashore on the Gaviota Coast after Representative Lois Capps obtained unanimous support from the County Board of Supervisors and the Santa Barbara City Council. Legislation introduced in April, funded by end of year.
2001 Conservation easement completed on Rancho Dos Vistas reducing potential residences from 14 to 3.
2002 Naples Coalition is formed (GCC, Sierra Club, SB Surfrider, SB Audubon, League of Women Voters, Citizens Planning Association, SB Citizens Action Network (SBCAN)
El Capitan State Park acquisition; 2,500 acres, $10,000,000 funded by CA Parks and Coastal Conservancy
El Capitan Ranch conservation easement, 650 acres, residential development limited to 2 houses
La Paloma Ranch conservation easement,745 acres, $1,200,000
2003 Mike Lunsford (GCC President) given the William Penn Mott award by the Sierra Club for outstanding service to California State Parks.
2006 County approves new access at Gaviota State Park
2008 Gaviota Coast Plan update at County Supervisors
2010 Ballantyne development project abandoned
2015 Planning commission denies Las Varas development project
2016 Scenic Highway designation awarded
2017 “Gaviota; the End of Southern California” at SB International Film Festival (sell-out at Lobero and 2 other theaters).
Veneco surrenders platform Holly to State Lands Commission.
GCC sues Board of Supervisors over Tajiguas Landfill TRRP
Dangermonds purchase Bixby/Cojo Ranches and gift the properties to the Nature Conservancy after protection from GCC for over 10 years
2018 Formed Gaviota Coastal Trail Alliance, GCTA as an unincorporated association to intervene in Hollister Ranch settlement intervention. Voting members are GCC, SB Trails Council, Coastal Protection Network, Coastwalk/CA Coastal Trail Association
Gaviota Coast Plan approved by Board of Supervisors
Munger purchases and gifts Las Varas to UCSB after 22 years of GCC protection
2019 Organized Gaviota Agricultural Project (GAP) to select projects for TRRP settlement funds. First project was County Carbon Farming Plan with Cachuma Resource Conservation District.
Hired Doug Kern as ED
County Public Works opens public planning for recreational planning at Baron Ranch. This planning process was initiated in our TRRP settlement with the County. GCC is a lead participant.
Funded 2 projects from TRRP settlement money via Gaviota Agricultural Project.